The sixth, seventh and eighth-grade bands combined Thursday night for an evening of holiday entertainment in the new Performing Arts Center at Becker High School. Parking was again at a premium outside the PAC, with many concertgoers taking a long walk in the brisk evening air from their far-away parking spot.
The sixth-graders were especially popular, with no empty seats and standing room only for their performance. They were directed by Ruthanne Eldred, opening their show with “A Winter’s Sleigh Ride,” followed by a special version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” arranged by Eldred for the performance. Their closing number was “The Simple Gifts of Christmas.” The seventh-grade band opened their set for director Shelly Clemen with “Let the Christmas Season Begin,” followed by “The Runaway Sleigh,” “The Knight’s Last Ride,” “The Joyful Bells of Christmas” and ending with “Glorioso.”
Clemen kept the baton for the performance of the eighth-grade band, directing “A Patriotic Trilogy” arranged by Andy Clark to begin their program. Their other selections included “Bobsled Run,” “Christmas at the Movies,” “Suo Gan,” a traditional Welsh lullaby, and closing with “And All the Bells Shall Ring.”
The program included special thanks to Middle School Principal Nancy Helmer, Vice-Principal Chantel Boyer, Jessica Gilbertson, Kristi Lovold, the middle and high school custodians, middle school staff and the families and friends of the performers.
Eighth Grade Band Members
Flute: Bria Amundson, Josie Berger, Zoe Boynton, Hannah Cook, Emma Falls, Hannah Garcia, Alli Garding, Catrina Holm, Jaida Johnson, Hannah Klapak, Samantha Larson, Abby Miner, Megan nelson, Anne Nikolov, Morgan Peterson, Heather Rowley, Kyley Schwintek, Claire Voigt and Charlize Whitt.
Clarinet: Sydney Bordson, Bryanna Edling, Tori Jundt, Ashlin Kern, Victoria Kolbinger, Ruth Krisko, Jade Marquette, Janene Myers, Brady Perkins, Alicia Peterson, Adam Seitz, Amanda Totz, Hailey Uecker, Alicia Van Lith and Chloe Wilson.
Alto saxophone: Liz Balsimo, Jazmin Brown, Reana Cavegn, Dylan Cheney, Matt Cichy, Carly Cory, Paige Deluque, Sydney Denekamp, Brandon Denny, Brady Gruehagen, Maddie Janssen, Grace Klapak, Austin Mackedanz, Shelby Steffen, Julia Sogard and Jenna Voigt.
Tenor saxophone: Hunter Stone.
French horn: Leo Brown.
Trombone: Drew Hamacher, Laura Pancoast, Tyler Russell and Austin Seavert.
Bassoon: AJ Buntrock.
Baritone: Kyle Goenner and Kole Overby.
Tuba: Nathaniel Hed and Carter Shampine.
Percussion: Erin Epperly, Jordan Gruenes, Christian Hanowski, Makoy Hawkinson, Lauren Johnson, Ally Kangas, Morgan Kappel, Corey McDonald, Kenny Meyer, Brendan potter, Abby Sarazin, Dani Slominski and Amelia Suhsen.
Trumpet: Carter Aanenson, Zeke Aho, Kevin Andres, Jack Belde, Hannah Bengtson, Alex Berglund, Lincoln Carlson, Belinda Edling, Abby Fingarson, Ben Fischbach, Kaj Fritsch, Austin Goenner, Nick Goth, Chase Graning, Andrew Guchikov, Brandon Gustafson, Bryce Halvorson, Brennan Handeland, Hope Harmon, Haidyn Hiedeman, Dawson Hill, Jordan Hurt, Jacob Jergens, Michelle Johnson, Logan Jurek, Ethan Klinker, Carter Kolbinger, Corbin Kollar, Blake Koshiol, Susan Lee, Lexi Masog, Cale McDowell, Gavin Murphy, Zach Piehl, Gabe Reisem, Sam Ricker, David Rozko, Mitchell Sakry, James Schafer, Devon Schlangen, Mexx Thom, Joyanna Vanbruggen, Amber Vogl, Luke Wilson and Reno Ziebarth.
