MUSIC IS THEIR WORLD
Todd and Rhonda Blaser are this year’s grand marshals
By Celeste Edenloff Alexandria Echo Press
When Rhonda Blaser was in 5th grade, she was determined to play the flute However, she said her mouth was not really set up to play that instrument. Regardless, it was what she wanted to do Determination set in and eventually, Rhonda became a flute player. Music has pretty much always been a part of her life. Her uncles were in bands, her dad sang in the church choir and Rhonda participated in every music activity possible
“Marching band was a big hook for me,” she said. “When I went to college, I continued taking flute lessons and participated in marching band until eventually the music department head pulled me in and asked why I wasn’t majoring in music His influence encouraged me to realize that’s what I really wanted to do with my life ” Todd Blaser came from a musical family. His older brother and sister were always buying records and one of his biggest musical influences was Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. After his brother quit playing the cornet, Todd would take it out of the closet and play After basically figuring out how to play the instrument on his own, he became a cornet and trumpet player in his elementary school band.
“I remember going to trumpet lessons once a week in the school library with Mr Schumacher,” said Todd. “He was a really big influence on me right away. I know all his sons and daughters and they were all musical brass players ”
As he continued in the music realm in both junior high and senior high, he met a lot of great friends, some lifelong friends who he still keeps in touch with today.
When Todd was in college, he too, ended up switching to a music major
MUSIC IS THEIR WORLD
The Alexandria couple, who met while in a drum corp together, have known each other for 42 years and have been married for 39 years Music has been at the center of their relationship all four decades.
This year, they will serve as the grand marshals for the 40th annual Vikingland Band Festival.
Both Todd and Rhonda are longtime music educators and have served on the festival committee for many years.
Todd and Rhonda Blaser
Rhonda said they both loved being in marching band before they met, but that having that in common, it just became a lifelong part of the relationship.
“When you’re a band director and you marry your guard instructor, you hit the lottery,” Todd said.
Rhonda was the color guard instructor for the Alexandria Marching Band for 17 years. Todd was the marching band director in Alexandria from 1997 until 2016. Since 2016, he has served as associate director of bands at the Willmar Senior High School.
Rhonda’s 38-year music teaching career began in Iowa. She is currently an elementary music teacher for Alexandria Public Schools She has been involved in the Vikingland Band Festival for 26 years as a committee member and coordinator of the event
Todd’s teaching career started in Iowa in 1988. The couple moved to Alexandria in 1997. During his tenure in Alexandria, the marching band performed at the 1998 Tournament of Roses Parade, 2000 Fiesta Bowl Parade, 2003 and 2006 Florida Citrus Bowl Parade, and events in Greeley, Colorado; Coronado, California; Kirkland, Washington; and Stabekk, Norway.
THEY PASSED ALONG THEIR LOVE OF MUSIC
Todd and Rhonda have two daughters Ki is a music major at North Dakota State University and plans to teach elementary music upon graduation.
Alex, who is married to Matt Van Voorhis, also has a music degree She was involved in colorguard for many years, marching in Music City and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps
And of course, both girls were in band while in middle school and in high school to And of course, both girls participated in all music activities throughout middle and high school.
The Blasers said they were pleasantly surprised when they were told they were this year ’ s grand marshals. They both said it is such an honor.
2024 VIKINGLAND BAND FESTIVAL
PARADE ORDER
A. Color Guard
Marine Corps League Runestone Detachment #1409
B. Grand Marshals
Todd and Rhonda Blaser
1. Alexandria Marching Band – Host Band
Director: Nick Mason, Matt Pasch
Drumline: Derek Ziemer
Color Guard: Sarah Spieker
Honor Guard: Evan Huebner
Repertoire: Rise - The Music of Steven Reineke
2. Richfield High School Marching Spartans
Class AA
Director: Chad Armbruster
Drumline: Ryan Larson, Calvin Millett
Colorguard: Mike Andrle, Jeff Olson
Hornline: Owen Tucker
Repertoire: Also Sprach Zarathustra & Space
Oddity
3. Fergus Falls High School Marching Band
Class AAA
Director: Joshua McGowan, Mickaela Pasch
Drumline: Jeff Sands
Colorguard: Ashley Sands
Repertoire: America the Beautiful
4 Cotter High School Marching Band
Class A
Director: Andy Meurer, Ian Schultz
Drumline: Sam Wantock
Colorguard: Jenna Rickoff
Repertoire: “Dad Rock”
5. 728 Cadets
Class AAAA
Director: Joe Jaeger, Shannon Curtis, Natalie Sterner
Hornline: Eddie Walentiny, Kyle Ballou, Carter Schunk, Sabrina Onouma, Steve Boulka
Drumline: Owen Sabinash, Garrett Sorenson, Danielle Larson
Colorguard: Lauren Emerson, Jordan
Lausang, Carrie Snyder
Repertoire: The Big Race from Cars, Burly Brawl from The Matrix, Fast Car, Getaway Car
6. Dassel-Cokato Marching Chargers
Class AA
Director: Anson Hanna, Jenna Schunk
Hornline Instructors: Allie Brostrom and Rylee Donald
Drumline: Gus Wiitala
Colorguard: Heidi Leitha
Repertoire: Funeral March of a Marionette, Master of Puppets, Cut the Cord
7. KMS Marching Saints
Class A
Director: Nate Sikkink, Carly Fuhrman
Drumline: Pam Diem
Color Guard: Kristin Stivers
Repertoire: A Brand New Day!
8. Sauk Rapids Rice Marching Storm
Class AAA
Director: Heidi Martinson
Drumline: Matt Winans
Color Guard: Susana Manea, Kayla DeBoer
Visual: Garrett James, Ben Brinkman
Repertoire: “On the Edge of Rage” Music of No Doubt, Fall Out Boys, Nirvana
9. Champlin Park Marching Rebels
Class AAAA
Director: Steve Johnson
Music and Visual Staff: Davis Bitterman, Ethan Goulson, Grant Goulson
Percussion Staff: Tyler Hague, Ava Bergman, Joe Cady
Color Guard Staff: Addie Guenther, Emily Erickson
Musical Arrangements: Steve Johnson & Grant Goulson
Drill Design: Addie Guenther
Repertoire: “Declassified” - Also Sprach, Rocket Man & Critical Mass
10. Minnesota Brass Drum & Bugle Corps
Director: Chris Judd, Justin Foell
Minnesota Brass is an independent, allage drum and bugle corps based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Like all drum corps, the ensemble is comprised of three distinct sections: the hornline, percussion and color guard. Together these sections create an entertaining show of music and motion which they perform at competitions, exhibitions and parades throughout the summer One of the premiere all-age drum corps in the country, Minnesota Brass won its first World Championship in 2011 In 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014 the corps was the DCA Silver medalist. The corps has won several caption (or section) awards including: DCA Horn Champions in 2010, 2011 and 2015; DCA Percussion Champions in 2003, 2004, 2010, and 2013; DCA Frontline Champions in 2001, 2004 and 2005; DCA Color Guard Champions in 2011; DCI SoundSport Best Of Show 2022
11. Montevideo High School Marching Band
Class A
Director: Hunter Hamby
Assistant Director: Riley Frank
Color Guard: Ally Girard
Repertoire: Just a Closer Walk with Thee, House of the Rising Sun, and Funkytown
12. Foley Falcon Marching Band
Class AA
Director: Janel Hesch
Assistant Director/Drumline: Karissa
Darling, Ben Kalway
Colorguard: Sarah Erickson, Makayla Griswold
Repertoire: Daft Punk Medley
13. Sartell-St. Stephen High School Marching Band
Class AAA
Director: David Lumley
Assistant Director: Lara Moline
Drumline: Joseph Sicora
Colorguard: Holli Sauerer
Repertoire: “Paranormal” with music selections from Halloween, Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice
14. Waconia High School Marching Band
Class AAAA
Director: Nick Hansberry, Phil Snyder, Alli Mottaz
Drumline: Jake Esterberg
Color Guard: Sue Snorek
Repertoire: “Drop Dead Gorgeous”Opening Theme from the Walking Dead, Dies Irae from Requiem, Zombie, Disturbia
15. Milaca High School Marching Wolves Class AAA
Director: Andrew Nelson
Drumline: Charlie Cooper
Color Guard: Christine Nelson
Repertoire: “Baseball! Homerun and America!” Take Me Out To The Ballgame, America the Beautiful, Shaker Song
2024 Festival Committee Members and
Committee Members
Chairman: Greg DeGier
Coordinator: Rhonda Blaser
Co-Founder: Ken Martinson
Treasurer: Dan Haglin
High School Operations: Jennie Engle
Street Operations: Dave Nelson
Banners/Tabloid Distribution: Kim Nelson
Judging Operations: Jeff Meland
Parade Operations: Todd Blaser
Judges
Judges
Music Execution: Jim Jacobsen
Visual Execution: Michael Hebert
Music General Effect: Brady Krusemark
Visual General Effect: Gary Swanson
Color Guard: Tamara Schmidt
Percussion: Paul Weber
Festival Sponsors
PLATINUM SPONSORS
