Winter band concert represents community support for music program, said director Erik Hermason

More than 180 seventh through 12th grade musicians took the stage in a packed new gym on November 17 for the winter band concert.

“It’s so exciting to come through the doors and see all the support,” said director Erik Hermanson. “We already know this community supports us so much. Everyone here, if you voted for the (operating) levy thank you so much. This is the fruits of that vote.”

The Seventh and Eighth Grade Band, some 80 strong, was the first on stage.

The younger group has had a lot of fun this fall, Hermanson said, especially performing at the state volleyball tournament, but it has also been working hard on contest and concert band material, including with Cole Nolte, a student teacher from Gustavus,

Nolte conducted the first two numbers: “Great Beginnings” and “Crusader’s Hymn.” The perfect opener, the former piece featured soaring melodies from all instruments as well as rich harmonies and driving rhythms. The latter is an evocative, sacred, ceremonial piece that is both solemn and uplifting.

Next, Hermanson conducted the catchy, sparkling themes of “Crater Lake Overture.” Following was “Andromeda Connection,” a piece inspired by the Andromeda constellation. It began by featuring the percussion section and then developed into a bold melody.

Heeding CHS band patron Clayton Wolf’s advice, Hermanson often ends a set with a march, and for the Seventh and Eighth Grade Band it was the Nolte-directed rousing “Sousa Cadets.”

The Grades Nine through 12 Band with its over 100 musicians opened with “Championship,” a powerful number often played before sporting events. Next up was “Visions of Glory” with its immediate burst of energy followed by an interplay of rhythms and then a slower lyrical section before a return to the intro.

From there, the senior band switched it up with a Bon Jovi Medley arranged by Hermanson. It included “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.”

With the music hanging pace again, next up was “We Will Remember Them,” a moving tribute to first responders. doctors, nurses and other medical and scientific personal who passed away during the COVID pandemic.

Arranged by Hermanson and directed by Nolte, the concert’s final piece was “Disco Hits,” which, all with a disco beat, include the “Theme from the Love Boat,” ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” the Four Seasons’ “December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)” and The Village People’s “YMCA.”

Above: Erik Hermanson directs the Ninth through 12th grade band

band Seventh and eighth-grade band