By Elaine Rassel
Once again, for the second time this week, there was Music in the Air! Tuesday evening the MMCRU High School had a Music Concert and Thursday it was MMCRU Middle School presenting their Band and Vocal Music Program featuring fifth through eighth grades.
The Seventh and Eighth Grade Choir took to the risers to begin the program. Their first selection was “Mississippi Mud”. This song featured feet stomping and clapping. They closed with a spiritual, “Moses! Now Your People are Free!”
The instructor of the Choirs is Ms. Breanna DeVoss. Members of the 7/8 Grade Choir are: Paula Bautista, Emma Erickson, Lauren Galles, Alexis Gotto, Destiny Gunsolly, Isabella Loutsch, Katie Merryfield, Brea Nicks, Brianna Schuetz, Joenson Stephen, Dylan Stevens, Tessa Weiler, and Sadie Youde.
The Sixth Grader Band members were all ready to perform for their audience! We were taken to “The King’s Court”. Who are in the Court? They started with a drum beat to introduce “Lords and Ladies”. Next we were introduced to “The Princess and the Prince”. Once again the percussion section was busy. Finally, we met “The King and the Queen”. They did very well on their presentation!
The instructor of the Bands is Ms. Emma Davis. Members of the Sixth Grade Band are: Flutes-Anna Arduini and Adelynn Ruskamp. Clarinets-Rachael Doellinger, Bailey Ross and Ashley Wetter. Trumpet players are Isaac Astidias and Macey Heubrock. Trombones-Nolan Carver, Charles Easton and Owen Lennon. Baritone player is Gunnar Durkee. Percussion-Behr Carey, Ayden Miller, Cody Schmillen, Mick Schnepf and Peter Stevick.
The Sixth Grade Choir took to the risers with “Amani Utupe”. This song involved arm crossing, sign language, and clapping. They seemed to enjoy this song! Then some of the boys pulled a make-shift lake out in front of the Choir. Four boys at a time took turn “fishing” while the Choir sang, “The Crawdad Song”!
Members of the Sixth Grade Choir are Jeff Braun, Peyton Busch, Taya Delperdang, Rachel Doellinger, Kyndell Freeman, Kinzie Glassmaker, Taya Grage, Willow Hageman, Samantha Hill, Angelique Hurtado, Carter Jungers, Cooper Loutsch, Madison Lowder, Thomas McKinney, Carson Meyer, and Brayden Miller.
Continuing on with: Rylee Nissen-Teepe, Jericho Pederson, Andrew Peterson, Tenleigh Porter, Logan Regennitter, Marissa Rojas, Benjamin Ross, Cody Schmillen, Aiden Shea, Hailey Staab, Raya Staab, Brady Tentinger, Gracie Todd, Tori Treinen, Heather Victor, and Caleb Wurth.
Next on the music agenda was the Seventh/Eighth Grade Band. Now the audience was taken back to Prehistoric times. We were introduced to “Stegosaurus (The Gladiator)” and then to “Brontosaurus (Gentle Giant)” as well to “Pterodactyls (Graceful Giants of the Sky)”. This wouldn’t be complete without a battle-“The Battle (Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops)” The percussion section provided the loud background sounds of a battle. They concluded with “Celtic Air and Dance”, once again with a drum beat in the background.
Members of the Seventh/Eighth Grade Band are: Flutes_Chloe Alesch, Eoin Hogg, Aleah Lux, Tapika Nothem, Hayden Oswald, Lukas Peterson, Ava Prescott, and Erica Specht. Clarinets_Maddy Anderson, Aubrey Dirks, Ella Draper, Kaiya Freeman, Annika Juhl, Halee Lesline, Brea Nicks, Alyvia Olson, and Morgan Rupp. Saxophones-Boston Colling, Brayden Dunn, Avi Pederson, and Dylan Stevens. Trombones-Carter Astidias, Joshua Doellinger, Michael Schmillen and Carsten Schrooten.
Trumpets-Luke Kintigh, Tommy Koontz, Jasper Lahouti, Brielle Lux, Elli Molzen, Joshua Peterson, John Schmillen, and Jesse Schneider. Baritone player is Rylee Smith. Tuba players are Mason Carver and Aaron Letsche. Percussion_Sophia Etter, Karsen Galles, Cayben Olson, Christopher Rojas, and Gracie Schroeder.
The Fifth Grade Choir was ready to show their talent! They took to the risers with “Whisper!” They concluded with a rocking song, “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. This song involved hand movements. A drum beat was heard in the distance.
Members of the Fifth Grade Choir include: Garrett Alesch, Gavin Alesch, Kaysen Ankenman, Laiken Bork, Jayda Decker, Ava Fredereick, Katie Haaven, Trenton Hageman, TJ Hermanson, Gabby Johnson, Casaeda Jones and Colt Krier.
Also-Chloe Martinez, Ashley Mouser, Christiana Murray, Lilly Olson, Neysi Perez, Samantha Peterson, Bentley Reed, Aubrey Reed, Aubrey Specht, Faith Spenner, Thelsalynn Stephen, Gianna Stevens, and Kaydence Stites.
To conclude the Program for the evening, the Fifth-Eighth Combined Choirs sang, “Standing in the Light of Love”.
The students that are out for Band and Choir, will never regret the time spent for one or both. These students that performed Thursday evening, have talent and they showed it!
Upcoming Events include Seventh/Eighth Le Mars Honor Choir in Le Mars on November 2 at 6:30 p.m. There is a $2/$4 admission. The Sawyer Center in Marcus will host the Madrigal Dinner Theatre on December 4-5.
The Middle School Band and Choir Holiday Concert is Dec. 6 in Remsen Gym at 7 p.m. The MMCRU High School Holiday Concert is Dec. 16 in Marcus Gym at 7 p.m.