Cyclone students selected for Wartburg Honor Band
By Micah Knebel
This past February, 13 Denver students were selected for Wartburg’s Meistersinger Honor Band. Students are nominated by their school director based on a range of criteria including tone, range, and skill. The Wartburg program then reviews its submissions from area schools and makes its selection of top instrumentalists.
Claretta Larson, Sadie Larson, Anya Rapien, Avienda Rusk, Kennedy Spence, Lily Bergman, Grace Brundrett, Addison Carlson, Lily Cooper, Madilyn Northey, Leo Burk, Paige Westbrook, and Lyla Gesme were Denver’s selected students.
“These students combine musical talent with hard work and character,” said Denver band director Dan Cooper. “They were nominated because of their outstanding musical ability and their ability to represent our school and community well.”
The students took part in a two-day, weekend event which consisted of roughly 12 hours of rehearsal time alongside other top student talent. Students are taught by Wartburg College teaching staff and other prestigious directors. The event culminates in an afternoon of final performances.
“Honor bands are great events for students to play really outstanding music with talented musicians from all over the area,” said Cooper. “They get to perform music that is typically a little more difficult than they do in their own schools.”
To offset the cost of hiring guest directors and providing meals for the students, the program does require participants to pay a fee to attend.
“In Denver,” said Cooper, “we are so fortunate to have support from our booster club to cover those costs so students can participate in these events at no cost to the student.”
This past February, 13 Denver students were selected for Wartburg’s Meistersinger Honor Band. Students are nominated by their school director based on a range of criteria including tone, range, and skill. The Wartburg program then reviews its submissions from area schools and makes its selection of top instrumentalists.
Claretta Larson, Sadie Larson, Anya Rapien, Avienda Rusk, Kennedy Spence, Lily Bergman, Grace Brundrett, Addison Carlson, Lily Cooper, Madilyn Northey, Leo Burk, Paige Westbrook, and Lyla Gesme were Denver’s selected students.
“These students combine musical talent with hard work and character,” said Denver band director Dan Cooper. “They were nominated because of their outstanding musical ability and their ability to represent our school and community well.”
The students took part in a two-day, weekend event which consisted of roughly 12 hours of rehearsal time alongside other top student talent. Students are taught by Wartburg College teaching staff and other prestigious directors. The event culminates in an afternoon of final performances.
“Honor bands are great events for students to play really outstanding music with talented musicians from all over the area,” said Cooper. “They get to perform music that is typically a little more difficult than they do in their own schools.”
To offset the cost of hiring guest directors and providing meals for the students, the program does require participants to pay a fee to attend.
“In Denver,” said Cooper, “we are so fortunate to have support from our booster club to cover those costs so students can participate in these events at no cost to the student.”
