BEMIDJI — It's a lot of work to make a successful high school marching band. Members not only have to play their instruments, but they need speed and coordination while playing. And they often need to raise funds.
Sarah and Eric Sundeen help with the Bemidji High School Marching Band. Sarah serves as a board member and Eric is the drumline coach, which he has been doing since 2005. They joined Area Voices to discuss the upcoming fundraiser and marching band season.
“Meet the Band” is the annual presentation to the community on about the BHS Marching Band. It starts with a pulled pork dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the BHS cafeteria, followed by a show at 7 p.m. on the track.
Not only will the band perform, but they will acknowledge the staff who have helped the band out. They will also give out awards to “super seniors,” the students who stuck around after graduating to finish off the marching band season.
The fundraiser money goes toward operational expenses such as traveling to and from parades, paying staff, food and lodging. For the past few years, they've also aimed for new uniforms.
The show is “Spaghetti Westerns,” a theme that Derek Wickham, the band’s director, said he's wanted to do for a while. They will perform songs from the films A Fistful of Dollars, Ecstasy of Gold and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The band even took some pictures with a horse to keep with the theme.
Competition
For competition shows, performances must be under four minutes and 30 seconds, so every movement is calculated. There are several judges for each performance: drumline, horn, color guard and general effects. The judges send voice memos to each band telling them ways they can improve.
This year’s BHS Marching Band is a young band. They only have five super seniors who will be leaving after the season. Most of the band is made up of 10th graders or younger. They have four upcoming parades this summer in Benson, Buffalo, Lake City and the Water Carnival parade in Bemidji.
To attend “Meet the Band,” get tickets at the door, online or scan the QR code on posters around town promoting the event. Tickets are $18 for the meal.
Listen to the full conversation with Sarah and Eric Sundeen on the Morning Show above.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
