The bands played on

Sixteen Minneota band students were among others from 23 Minnesota schools that participated in the Southwest Minnesota Band Directors Association Honor Band Concert on Saturday at Schwan’s Community Center for the Performing Arts in Marshall.
Conductors for the event were: Dr. John Ginocchio, the Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Southwest Minnesota State University; Jim Baxter, Commander and Bandmaster of the 34th Infantry “Red Bull” band; and Ronald Stary, retired Director of the Brookings (SD) High School Band. “I like this program because the students work with one another and it’s not a competition,” said Minneota band director John Voit. “They are all working toward a common goal.”
Band directors must be a member of the Minnesota Band Directors Association in order for their students to participate.
The students were given the music ahead of the performances and practiced the pieces on their own. Voit also worked with the students when time allowed. The students also had some time to work together for a little while on Saturday before each performance.
Minneota students participating in the grades 7-8 program were: Kaden Christensen, baritone sax; Bradyn Hopper, trombone; Madison Minnehan, clarinet; and Amadeus Molina, baritone.
Those participating in the grades 9-10 program from Minneota were: Brody Larson, trumpet; Kylie Callens, clarinet; Melanie Engels, trombone; Johnny Fales, horn; Garrett Peterson, trumpet; and Jasmine Peterson, trombone.
The junior-senior band members from Minneota were: Ella Bot, flute; Autumn Dovre, alto sax; Cora Fischer, trumpet; Faith Myhre, alto sax; Sam Skorczewski, trumpet; and Joe Voit, trombone.
Under the direction of Dr. Ginocchio, the junior-senior honor band performed “Where the Wild Things Dance”, The Brave Tin Soldier”, and Ye Banks and Brues O’ Bonnie Doon”.
With Baxter directing the 9-10 grade honor band, they performed “Each Time You Tell Their Story”, “Knights of Destiny”, “National Emblem” and “Seconds Out.”
The 7-8 grade honor band, under the direction of Stary, performed “Valley of Fire”, “Fantasy om March Slav”, “Hymn to the Fallen”, “Downtown Strut” and “Patton.”
The program featured students in grades 7-12. Among the schools participating were: Adrian, Butterfield-Odin, Dawson-Boyd, Edgerton, Hancock, Hills-Beaver Creek, Holy Redeemer, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Lac qui Parle Valley, Luverne, Marshall, Minneota, Montevideo, Mountain Lake, Murray County Central, Ortonville, Pipestone Area, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, Samuel Lutheran, Willmar, Westbrook-Walnut Grove, Windom Area and Worthington.
The Minnesota Band Directors Association is an organization assisting in the development of band directors and band programs in schools, colleges, and communities throughout the state.