by Elaine Rassel

On Tuesday, (March 8) the 5th Grade Band through High School Band, under the direction of Ms. Emma Davis, presented their Pops Concert to an audience ready to hear some good music!
The 5th Grade Band opened up the program with “Merrily We Roll Along”. Don’t be afraid, its only an “Itsy Bitsy Spider” was their next selection. They concluded with some advice to us, “Love Somebody”.
These 27 band members began in the Fall taking band lessons. They have come a long way with their instruments.
5th Grade Band Members include: (Flute) Jayda Decker, Katie Haaven, Casaeda Jones, Chloe Martinez, Celia Shea and Kaydence Stites. (Clarinet) Laiken Bork, Ava Frederick, Samantha Peterson, Jorja Regenniter, and Faith Spencer. (Saxophone) Amaya Gengler, Charlie Murray, Lilly Olson and Ethan Steffen. (Trumpet) Gavin Alesch, Rebekah Casson, Ashley Mouser, Bentley Reed and Emmett Rupp. (Trombone) Garrett Alesch, Jagger Becker, Owen Erickson and Trenton Hageman. (Percussion) Colton Heubrock, Nora Sanow and TJ Hermanson.
The 6th Grade Band took to the chairs next with “Shortcuts for Beginning Band Vol. 4 II. 25 or 6 to 4. Sound confusing? It was really an interesting selection. Now the audience should get on their marching shoes for a Traditional South African Tune ”Siyahamba” (We Are Marching). It was indeed a marching melody!
Now that we were all marched out, it was time to take a train ride and relax to “All Aboard!” Just when we were enjoying the train ride, the band shifted gears and had the members “clapping” to “Groovy-8”.
6th Grade Band Members are: (Flute) Anna Arduini and Addy Ruskamp. (Clarinet) Rachel Doellinger, Izzy Hodgins, Bailey Ross, and Ashley Wetter. (Trumpet) Isaac Astidias, Macey Heubrock, Thomas McKinney and Aiden Shea. (Trombone) Charles Easton and Owen Lennon. (Baritone) Gunnar Durkee. (Tuba) Mason Carver and (Percussion) Behr Carey, Ayden Miller, Cody Schmillen, Mick Schnepf and Peter Stevick.
The 7th and 8th Grade Band began their presentation with telling the audience “How to Train Your Dragon” just in case you might happen to have one as a pet! Then they turned to “Rolling in the Deep” and concluded with “The Avengers”. This selection had the Percussion section busy!
7th and 8th Grade Band Members include: (Flute) Chloe Alesch, Eoin Hogg, Aleah Lux, Tapika Nothem, Hayden Oswald, Lukas Peterson, Ava Prescott, and Erica Specht. (Clarinet) Maddy Anderson, Aubrey Dirks, Ella Draper, Kaiya Freeman, Annika Juhl, Brea Nicks, Alyvia Olson, and Morgan Rupp. (Saxophone) Boston Colling, Brayden Dunn and Dylan Stevens. (Trumpet) Luke Kintigh, Thomas Koontz, Jasper Lahouti, Brielle Lux, Elli Molzen, Joshua Peterson, John Schmillen, and Jesse Schneider. (Trombone) Carter Astidias, Joshua Doellinger, Michael Schmillen and Carsten Schrooten. (Baritone) Rylee Smith. (Tuba) Mason Carver and Aaron Letsche. (Percussion) Karsen Galles, Cayben Olson, Christopher Rojas, and Gracie Schroeder.
Then it was time for the MMCRU High School Band to perform. Their first selection was “My Heart Will Go On” and they concluded with “Highlights from Moana”. For some of these band members, this would be their last “Pops Concert” as they will be graduating.
High School Band Members are (Flute) Ellie Hilbrands, Makenzie Meyer, Caitlin Olson, Hannah Doellinger, Allison Astidias, Ashley Hurtado, and Caitlin Wetter. (Clarinet) Regan Peters, Ellie Reuter, Leandra Klinker, Michelle Schmidt, Ellie Durkee, and Jordyn Holsinger. (Saxophone) Mattisen Dias, Jaelyn Kabisch and Elsie Hogg. (Trumpet) Josh Armfield, Hope Russell, and Evan Molzen. (Trombone) Alex Armfield. (Baritone) Brett Staab. (Bass Guitar) Ryan Olson and (Percussion) Eban Hicks, Jaidyn Ballard, Olivia Flewelling, Carver Miller, Max Stridde, AJ Russell and Ethan Johnson. AJ Russell and Ethan Johnson play their own drums and help the band out. It’s nice to see these two boys being involved.
Now, all the bands we heard that evening came together as a combined band and played, “Band on Parade”. That was over a hundred band players what a sight to behold! Keep up the good work music students. You have talent and showed it on Tuesday evening!
Upcoming Events include a Mattress Fundraiser in Marcus on April 2; the Solo/Ensemble Contest @ Gehlen on April 9; the High School Spring Concert in Marcus on April 28; the Large Group contest @ Le Mars on May 6 and the Middle School Spring Concert in Remsen on May 17.