For band director Erik Hermanson, “Let the Spirit Soar,” composed by James Swearingen and performed by the senior band during Monday evening’s concert, was an apt selection to dedicate to Clayton Wolf.
A member of the CHS class of 1959, Wolf taught music education in Karlstad, Elmore, Redwood Falls and Morgan schools. He also taught private piano lesson to 100s of students over 60 years, continuing until 4 weeks prior to his passing on April 4.
But beyond his own dedication to music, Wolf was also an incredible supporter of Cleveland School and especially of the music department, Hermanson said.
“He attended every event that he possibly could, even when his health failed him. Always positive and supportive, Clayton would mail me a handwritten note after each concert. His words of encouragement have been a great source of strength to my work. “Let the Spirit Soar” is a beautiful, lyrical piece that I thought best represented the fact that Clayton can now be at peace and rest after his long fight with cancer.”
All told, 11 bands performed in two time slots on Monday (May 8), jazz groups in the afternoon and concert bands in the evening.
The latter concert began with the 6th Grade Band’s first ever public performance, an eclectic selection of “Bugler’s Dream,” Beethoven’s Ninth and “Power Rock Medley.”
Next on the stage of the new gym was the 7th and 8th Grade Band, which performed “Great Beginnings,” “Spring,” “Power Trip” and “Starsplitter March.”
The 9th and 10th Grade Band followed and played “Aventura,” “Latin Melody” and “Fat Burger.”
Besides the tribute piece to Wolf, the 11th and 12th Grade Band also performed “Atlantis,” “Robin Hood,” “Across the Great Divide” and “Land of Make Believe.”
Earlier in the day, seven jazz bands performed starting with the 7th grade jazz band with the 8th grade jazz band next on stage. Then, all bands that went to contest and on the band trip to St. Louis performed: a pair of third-hour bands, which consist of ninth and 10th graders and three first-hour bands, which are made up of juniors and seniors.
During the concerts, Hermanson presented this year’s band awards.
Senior Amelia Tauer earned the Louis Armstrong Award. Each year, it is voted on by all 9-12 jazz members and given to the outstanding jazz performer in the school’s jazz program.
“This was a very difficult vote this year because there were so many seniors who performed with confidence and excellence in all of our concerts and contests,” Hermanson said. “Amelia was an incredible player for her entire tenure here but was a standout performer this year with her lead trombone skills and amazing solos.”
Last month, Tauer won the Top Soloist Award at the St. Louis Music in the Parks Competition.
Senior percussionist Henry Strobel earned the Woody Herman Award. Each spring, the winner is also voted for by all 9-12 jazz members and given to the musician who best exemplifies what being a CHS jazz member is all about. The award takes into consideration not only musical performance but attitude, spirit, excitement and dedication, the total package of what CHS Jazz is all about, Hermanson said.
“Again, there were so many enthusiastic, positive, hardworking, motivated and talented performers but Henry is a standout. His big heart and how much he cares about each jazz member and the school is evident in every performance.”
Jacob Rohlfing won The John Philip Sousa Award, which is presented at many high schools in the nation for outstanding achievement and interest in instrumental music, for singular merit in loyalty and cooperation and for displaying those high qualities of conduct that school instrumental music requires. The winner is voted by the 11-12 Band, and Rohlfing is a well-deserved recipient, Hermanson said.
“His skill, spirit and drive are always on display, making him an incredible role model for all future clipper band members.”
Hermanson was especially proud of the outgoing group.
“This is an incredible senior class, and these concerts were an opportunity to put their skills and abilities on one more big, amazing display. After surviving all the missed class time to Covid, this group still managed to work hard enough to earn superior ratings at their last two state competitions. They again proved their skill the past two years when on amazing trips to Florida and St. Louis, taking top honors. It has been an absolute joy and pleasure to get to know and to work with seniors.. Their growth has been spectacular and so fun to witness.”
They include Cole Bonorden, Katie Cink, Harley Connor, Mya Dent, Lilly Draheim, Abigail Fonseca, Alex Garcia, Martin Gibbs, Alanna Hartman, Tanyon Hoheisel, Jersie Kelley, Asia Kern, Ava LaFrance, Stephanie Lopez Gonzalez, Kyra McCarthy, Izaiah Peterson, Micah Peterson, Hailey Plonsky, Logan Porter, Sarena Remiger, Rohlfing, Jack Schloesser, Nathan Schmoll, Sophie Shouler, Strobel, Tauer, Connor Urban, Jack Voit, Alexis Waldron and Samantha Wondra.
Exchange students Xabier Martinez Trincado and Sebastian Kleven also played their final concert before they return to school next year in their own countries.
“It was a pleasure to meet them both and they were a very fun part of our musical success this year,” Hermanson said.
Above: 11th and 12th Grade Band
Band awards winners Henry Strobel, Amelia Tauer, Jacob Rohlfing with director Erik Hermanson (Photo courtesy of Erik Hermanson).
7th Grade Jazz
7th Grade Jazz
8th Grade Jazz
8th Grade Jazz
Third Hour Jazz 1
Third Hour Jazz 1: Sierra McCabe on the baritone saxophone solo
Third Hour Jazz 1
Third Hour Jazz 1: Anna Kawatski-Klein on the bari sax solo
Third Hour Jazz 2: Elijah Mons on the bass guitar
Third Hour Jazz 2: Evelyn Keltgen on the tenor sax solo
Third Hour Jazz 2: Vivian Hilfer on keyboard and Dakota Lotspeich on bass guitar
Third Hour Jazz 2: Ariel Murphy on the tenor sax solo
Third hour Jazz 2
Third hour Jazz 2
Third hour Jazz 2: Thayne Remiger on the alto sax solo
First Hour Jazz 1
First Hour Jazz 1: Olivia Shouler on the clarinet solo
First Hour Jazz 2
First Hour Jazz 2
First Hour Jazz 2
First Hour Jazz 3
First Hour Jazz 3: Madisyn Seely on the keyboard and Marty Gibbs on the bass guitar
First Hour Jazz 3
First Hour Jazz 3
First Hour Jazz 3: Sophie Shouler on the tenor sax solo
First Hour Jazz 3
First Hour Jazz 3
6th Grade Band
6th Grade Band
6th Grade Band
6th Grade Band
6th Grade Band
7th-8th Grade Band
7th-8th Grade Band
7th-8th Grade Band
7th-8th Grade Band
7th-8th Grade Band
7th-8th Grade Band
7th-8th Grade Band
9th-10th Grade Band
9th-10th Grade Band
9th-10th Grade Band
11th-12th Grade Band
11th-12th Grade Band
11th-12th Grade Band
11th-12th Grade Band
11th-12th Grade Band
11th-12th Grade Band
Band seniors Amelia Tauer, Jack Schloesser, Connor Urban, Tanyon Hoheisel, Nathan Schmoll, Jersie Kelley, Jacob Rohlfing, Alanna Hartman, Henry Strobel, Asia Kern, Samantha Wondra, Lexy Waldron, Harley Connor, Katie Cink, Lilly Draheim, Sarena Remiger, Ava LaFrance, Marty Gibbs, Micah Peterson, Logan Porter, Alex Garcia, Izaiah Peterson, Cole Bonorden and director Eric Hermanson. Missing from the photo are Sophie Shouler, Mya Dent, Jack Voit, Abigail Fonseca, Stephanie Lopez Gonzalez, Hailey Plonsky and Kyra McCarthy. (Photo courtesy of Erik Hermanson)
Clayton Wolf (Photo courtesy of Lance Renberg, Mankato Area Funeral Homes)
All other photos are courtesy of Patty Sullivan.