Trojan band marches into summer

• Band

Brian Korthals/Daily Globe Members of the Trojan Marching Band prepare for their upcoming summer performances during practice Wednesday afternoon outside Worthington High School.

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WORTHINGTON — District 518 schools dismissed their pupils for the summer two weeks ago, but 115 Worthington High School (WHS) students have nevertheless spent this week hanging around the school from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

That’s because the “Spirit of Worthington” Trojan marching band is adopting a new parade schedule this year that will involve the student instrumentalists, color guard and drum line in four parades during the month of June — something the band hasn’t done for many years.

“There are a lot of great summer parades out there, and so many bands have been good about coming to Worthington to participate in our own King Turkey Day festival and parade,” explained Jon Loy, WHS director of bands. “We thought it was time for us to return the favor.”

The band began updating, improving and polishing its 2010 “Phantom of the Opera” parade show shortly after the final bells rang at the close of the 2010-’11 school year. Some changes were necessary due to the 30-member increase in band participants.

“We’re incorporating our incoming freshmen, and a handful of eighth-graders to fill out our frontline/honor guard, so we didn’t have a lot of time to start from scratch,” noted Loy, whose band scored well with the “Phantom” show at several parades and marching band festivals last fall.

An intensive week of drills and training has included instruction from two guest marching band clinicians — one focused on marching execution, the other on visual effect. WAMBO (Worthington Area Music Boosters Association) funds helped sponsor the clinicians’ presence; Loy believes their expertise will boost the band’s overall impact and professionalism.

The band will debut its summer show at a free “Meet the Trojans” event for parents and the general public at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Trojan Field, followed by a short bus trip to Windom where the students will march in the Riverfest Parade at 6 p.m.

Other Trojan band appearances this month will be June 14 at the Pioneerland Band Festival in Benson, June 17 at the Battle of the Bands in Lake Crystal and June 18 at the Wood Duck Festival in Fulda.

The band members will enjoy a well-deserved break during July and until school begins in late August before picking up where they left off; the Trojan band is scheduled to represent Worthington on Sept. 4 at the Minnesota State Fair, on Sept. 17 at the King Turkey Day parade, and at five other parades or festivals in between before making their much-anticipated second trip to Chicago to play in the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

“The band kids were super about working through the heat on Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday’s more moderate temperatures and cool breezes reinvigorated the troops,” expressed Loy.

“They’ve been working really hard, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how things are coming together. The kids have just been nailing it.”

Loy’s student band commanders for the 2011 season are seniors Parker Sandhurst and Claire Bents and junior Timothy Skog. Loy is also aided by color guard advisers Theresa Hoesing and Amanda Reif; drum line staff Matt Tims and Deann Naab; and frontline advisers Kahla Gieselman and Robby Vargas.

“Putting together a parade show with 115 marchers is a big production, and I am grateful for the support and experience of these staff members,” credited Loy.

“We hope the public will come and cheer on the Trojans at one of our June appearances,” he continued. “Showing your support is a wonderful way to thank these kids for being such terrific musical representatives of Worthington.”

Tags: news, trojan, band, marches, summer