Sweet success

Talk about it

WORTHINGTON — Whether it’s waffles soaking up syrup at the pre-concert waffle feed or the Worthington High School (WHS) Trojan marching band basking in its season of wins at eight 2012 parade appearances, Friday night is sure to be sweet at WHS.

“This indoor marching band concert has become a tradition, and a true community event,” said Jon Loy, director of the WHS band. “We pack people in for this concert, and they really love the all-you-can-eat Dad’s Belgian Waffles beforehand, too.”

The waffle feed, which benefits the WHS band program, takes place in the WHS cafeteria from 4:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Friday, followed by the band concert — featuring all 360 District 518 band students from grades 5-12 — at 7:30 p.m. in the WHS gymnasium.

Tickets for both events may be purchased at the door.

With a final overall parade championship coming the Trojan band’s way last Saturday at the Anoka Halloween Parade, Loy is ready to bring his 120 troops home for another look at the “Over the Rooftops” show.

“There are lots of fun little things in the show this year,” said Loy, noting the Mary Poppins-themed medley was arranged by Sioux Falls, S.D.-based composer Jeremy Hegg, with its percussion book written by WHS alumnus Matt Tims.

“We had a big weekend in Anoka, earning first place in Class 1A, plus caption awards for outstanding color guard and winds, as well as the Parade Grand Champion title,” Loy said. “It was our third consecutive grand champion title at Anoka, and the band members never cease to amaze me with their drive and determination to be better than the year before.

“The results speak volumes about their effort, but I always talk about the hard work, not the hardware —though that is nice, too.”

Loy’s marching Trojans have logged only one second-place parade finish in the past two years (they more commonly claim the top prize), and also have seven parade grand championships and several parade caption awards — in drum line, color guard and winds — to their credit.

Since June, the schedule has taken the band from Lake Crystal to Waseca and to Sioux Falls, Anoka, Chamberlain, S.D., and more.

“They’ve had a lot of different environments to adjust to this season, both in terms of weather and destinations,” Loy said, “but everywhere they’ve gone, the band students have been great musical ambassadors for the school district and community.

“The kids learn so much about responsibility and accountability as band members, and I think all 31 of the senior class members have really led the charge this year.”

Friday’s concert gives the 240 band students in the Worthington Middle School (WMS) bands an opportunity to demonstrate their own progress, as well as a chance to see what they might be doing as high-schoolers themselves in a few short years.

“This combined concert is a wonderful way to highlight the entire District 518 band program,” said Jeanette Jenson, director of the 70 fifth-grade band members and a general music teacher at WMS. “It’s a bonus for parents to hear the band students at all levels, so they can see where their beginning students are headed and be reminded of where their more advanced students started.”

During the Friday night program, Jenson will lead her young instrumentalists through numbers with some intriguing titles, including “Frenchy the Goat,” “Extra Fiber and Low Salt, Too,” “Don’t Tell Aunt Mutant” and “A Round the Blues.”

“Almost half of my fifth-graders are also in orchestra, so this group is progressing quickly,” Jenson said. “I am grateful that parents and teachers are supportive of these students.”

Michael Andersen, director of the 170 sixth- through eighth-grade band members, arranged two of the pieces his band will perform — ”Duel of the Fates” and “Star Wars Medley.” Brett Kroeger, who student taught last year in the District 518 band program, prepared those numbers’ percussion arrangements.

“It’s nice for everyone to see the progression from fifth-grade players through high school at this concert,” said Andersen.

Besides commending his senior band students, Loy also appreciates the leadership his four student band commanders have offered this year.

“Our senior band commanders — Tim Skog, Dillon Pedersen and Logan Waldner, plus junior Jaren Solt — have added cohesiveness to the parade show,” Loy said.

The 2013 commanders will be announced Friday night, as well, and Loy said “a handful of hopefuls” have auditioned this week with the goal of being named to help lead next year’s WHS marching band.

In addition to the waffle feed, a silent auction promoting diverse packages of treats assembled by the various WHS band sections will take place in the school’s hallway from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

“Each section tries to outdo the others with fun and original items to bid on,” Loy explained. “The trombones are doing a meat basket, the tubas are offering a movie night theme and the clarinets are making homemade cupcakes, to name a few options.”

For all of the 360 band students involved, Loy has one wish this Friday evening.

“I look forward to seeing the kids enjoy themselves,” he said. “This is the time to celebrate a season of growth, awards and accomplishments, and to share all of that with the community.”

The WHS/WMS Indoor Marching Band Concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the WHS gymnasium. Tickets for the concert may be purchased at the door; District 518 activity passes are also honored. The Dad’s Belgian Waffle Feed is in the WHS cafeteria from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m.; tickets may be purchased at the door.

Tags: district 518, news, bands