NRHEG Marching Band members Ethan Thompson, Dacoda Malakowsky, Evelyn Nydegger, Calvin Haun, Madyson Langfitt, Andrew Phillips and Jordis Kruger-Diaz practice for their Nov. 22 concert.
By Nathan Vanek
Panther Press
The Indoor Marching Band Concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, November 22 at the high school in New Richland. The band is vigorously preparing for the concert as they have been drilling their marching and practicing their music they plan to perform.
Miles Otstot, district band instructor and Marching Band director, says, “My favorite thing about marching band is how we get to take a limited time span of music and work for a long time to get our music and motions as close to perfect as possible. We have to have a high standard of excellence for it to look and sound good. This is a great lesson that can be applied to every day on how we break down the overall show and work hard to make sure every piece of the show is done as well as possible.” In addition, he stated, “I am excited to have the indoor marching band concert this year! Last year we lost the opportunity to have it and it is a great community event where we get to play fun music and showcase our talented students. I'm excited to be able to share this with the public again this year.”
Finally, he gave the outgoing seniors a message, “I would tell the seniors: while you may not keep using all of the skills and marching techniques that you are using in class today, the memories and bigger picture lessons that you are learning are things you can keep with you for the rest of your life. You won't always have the opportunity to be in marching band or do things like this that you do in school. Enjoy it while you can and remember it once you leave.”
Brady Schlaak, a marching band student, states, “This will be my sixth year in marching band.” He then added, “I am excited about the songs we are playing because they are fun to play and go well with the drill. Along with that, I am looking forward to the fun activities we do every year during indoor.” Schlaak further comments, “I feel like being a junior hasn’t impacted my practicing and playing in band. It’s more about being older, so people look to me for help. I haven’t changed any of the ways I practice or anything like that, but I have been there to help people when they need it.”
Samuel Christensen, another marching band student, commented, “I am excited about the late-night rehearsal, and the one night of the concert. It will be kind of fun to march and play at the same time.” He then said, “My role has changed a little: Now I am more like a leader compared to my 8th-9th grade year. I feel more in charge and in a more important position.” Finally, Christensen wrapped up saying that he feels a little bit of a deeper connection to this year’s marching band concert as it was a different experience to be back after last year’s marching season was cancelled due to Covid-19. He then said, “I liked how this year was more relaxed compared to previous years.”