Front (L-R)- Haley Shope, tenor sax;  Kristi Lasley, alto sax; Kristen Upah, alto sax; Nicole Johnson, tenor sax; and Michael Cahow, bari sax.  Back (L) to (R) - trumpets - Carrie Cibula, Robert Tyynismaa, and Talon Lamb. Photos/Lori Johnson

The annual South Tama Parade of Bands presented recently had people swaying, moving and grooving to the music.

The evening started with the high school jazz band playing Groovin’ Hard by Don Menza; A Child is Born by Thad Jones; and Dos Gatos Bailando by Roy Phillippe.

The jazz band is comprised of 15 students who rise early every Monday and Thursday and meet at 7 a.m. to practice. This group of students competed Saturday, March 2, in the NEIBA (North East Iowa Bandmasters Association) competition in Vinton.

The Parade of Bands is an opportunity for parents and family members to hear four student ensembles from the band department. Students participating were from 6th grade to the high school concert band level.

“It is fun coming to this event to see how much the kids that you remember in the elementary school have changed and being able to see old friends that you haven’t seen in a while, ” said Lori Johnson, 11th grade band parent.

Abbie Morgan and Jessica Musgrave, flute.

The 6th grade concert band played The Tempest by Robert W. Smith, and A Prehistoric Suite: Movement I – Stegosaurus; Movement II – Brontosaurus; and Movement IV – The Battle (Tyrannosaurus vs. Triceratops) by Paul Jennings. This band is comprised of thirty-seven students.

The 7th and 8th grade concert band played Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite by Karl King; A Childhood Hymn by David Holisnger; and Disco Lives! (Stayin’ Alive, I Will Survive, and Y.M.C.A) arranged by Johnnie Vinson. By the third song the crowd was singing along and doing the arm motions to the favorite Y.M.C.A. “I can remember, when I was in middle school, playing the Disco Lives song and messing up really bad”, said Kody Meyers, freshman percussion. “And I’m sure you were the only one that knew that”, encouraged Ms. Johnson, who knows Kody is a perfectionist, striving to excel when she can.

It was fun watching the students make eye contact with their families and then beam from being proud to be a part of the evening’s events.

The high school concert band, comprised of 62 students, played Rollo Takes a Walk by David Maslanka; Symphonic Suite from “The Lord of the Rings” by Howard Shore; and When the Saints Come Marching In arranged by Naohiro Iwai.

During the last song, in the percussion background you could catch Jessie Brezina and Raven Hall enjoying themselves and smiling and laughing while they played a duet between them as part of the background sounds.

(L) to (R) – Jaryen Haughey, Kaylee Klostermann, Wyatt Hintermeister, playing percussion instruments; Gannon Ferneau and Hunter White playing trumpet.

Mike Carnahan, STC Band Director, directs all four bands with the assistance of Richard Kahler working with students two days a week with music lessons.

“I was so excited to see a bassoon player!” said Brenda Adams, class of 1996, “You don’t see them very often.”

March is Music in our Schools Month!

March is “Music in Our Schools Month“; bringing awareness of the role music education plays in our nation’s schools. For more information visit the National Association for Music Education’s website at musiced.nafme.org/events/music-in-our-schools-month/ . There you will find many facts and information on how a well rounded education, which includes music and the Fine Arts, will help students achieve more in school.

Singer Faith Hill states “Practice makes perfect.” “Music reinforces team work, self discipline, all the skills a person needs later on in life.”

- Rachel Benda, and Grace Kavalier, playing alto sax; back row – Jacob Knowles, sax; trombones - Wyatt Beltz, Maddie Nelson, and Sonya Peters.

Singer Vince Gill states “Music is the most valuable way a student can spend time.” “Music is a whole lot more than what you hear on the radio.”

If you are interested in becoming an STC Music Booster or finding out more information about their upcoming New York Trip you can contact Chris McFate, Vocal Director; or Mike Carnahan, Band Director at 641-484-4345 or Mary Jo Cherveny, Co-Chair at 641-484-5847 or Janice Upah, Co-Chair, at 641-484-2745 or visit stc-music.tamatoledo.org/.