Corissa Marlette What grade are you in, and what role do you play within the marching band?
“I’m a senior, and I’m color guard captain.” Which performance stuck out to you the most this year? “One of my biggest hopes for this season was to be able to beat our biggest competitor and take home ‘Best Color Guard.’ We kicked butt during finals in Minneapolis, managed to win best guard and I truly could not have been more proud of my team.”
What’s your favorite memory from your time in the band?
“Sophomore year it started raining during one of our football halftime performances. Dancing in the rain to ‘Pure Imagination’ was probably the most fun I’ve ever had during a show.”
by
Leighton FeLtman
The 2021 LHS Marching Band Show, “The Queen’s Gambit,” highlights a battle between two kingdoms: Pink and Black. This year’s show features multiple vocal solos between the two queens and guitar solos from the rockstar king, Jack Simpson. But where did the inspiration come from? “The Queen’s Gambit’ concept was the brainchild of Julie Hadley, our show designer and color guard coordinator,” said LHS Band Director, Dan Carlson. “The inspiration came initially from the Netflix series, but it is not about the Netflix series.” Although the COVID-19 pandemic is still prevalent in the lives of many around the world, the marching band has remained at the top of their class. “The marching band has taken it all in stride and it has not been much of a factor this year,” said Carlson. “We have only had one positive case all season long.” Across the region, high school students know of the musical excellence that is the LHS Marching Band. The marching Patriots started design by photo by
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their season in Marshall, Minnesota, competing in the “Pursuit of Excellence Competition” winning the Sweepstakes award (first place), best color guard, hornline, visual and music execution and visual and music general effect against 19 bands. The season continued at the Brandon Valley “Big Sioux Review” where the band won the Sweepstakes award, out performing 13 other bands. At the “Youth In Music” (YIM) Field Championships at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis MN, the band received second overall out of 31 bands, as well as best color guard, best visual general effect and best visual execution. “I think it’s important to know that we are not an auditioned band, yet we compete favorably with and beat many auditioned bands,” said Carlson. Placing second in the region against multiple auditioned bands is a great feat and especially considering the smaller student and staff size of the LHS band. “We have two band directors for the size of the band that we have,
while many other band programs our size have three, four or even five band directors,” said Carlson. The pandemic has still played a crucial role in the 2021 season and has affected bands around the country differently. “We had to deal with the double whammy of a pandemic and a new school opening in the district, yet we have remained resilient and competitive,” said Carlson. “We are so proud of the band members for not making excuses but just putting forth an excellent effort every minute of every rehearsal. They have achieved excellent results despite all the challenges they have faced this season.”
Hannah Lias What grade are you in, and what role do you play within the marching band? “I’m a senior, and a clarinet section leader”
What was your favorite venue that you have performed in?
“My favorite venue was probably the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The crowd was huge (and loud) and the stadium was so cool.”
What is your favorite part of this year’s show?
“I absolutely love the ballad this year. The soloists always kill it, and the crowd response they gather makes it so much fun to play.”
Mila Wollman What grade are you in, and what role do you play within the marching band? “This year I’m one of the Queen’s Gambit Queens! Usually, I play in the front ensemble, though.”
What’s your favorite memory from your time in the band? “My favorite memory would be my freshman year, performing in the afternoon at Bands of America. Everyone was so excited and enthusiastic, and as a freshman, that hype was so special to me.”
Mr. Carlson What is your favorite part of this year’s show?
I think my (and most people’s) favorite part is the end of the ballad when the two queens and the king are belting it out supported by the rest of the hornline. It is such a powerful moment!
What is your favorite venue to perform at?
So far, the best venue has been US Bank Stadium. I think the best accoustical venue will be the Dome at America’s Center at the BOA Super Regional in St. Louis.
Which performance stuck out to you the most this year? So far, our best show has been the finals show in Minneapolis.
Leighton FeLtman & Lhs statesman staFF Leighton FeLtman
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