Page1 Publications

Young Badger Musicians Strike a Proud Note at Regional Honor Band

Samantha Alme
samantha.tribunepaper@gmail.com

Area pride was on full display April 25th as several young musicians from Badger School took the stage at Horizon Middle School in Moorhead for the Northwest Minnesota Band Directors Association (NWMBDA) Honor Bands—an event that celebrates both emerging talent and the power of music education in our schools.

The annual honor bands bring together some of the region’s most dedicated first- and second-year musicians, students who are just beginning to discover their talents but are already showing remarkable promise. Nominated by their band directors and selected by the NWMBDA board, these young performers earned their place through hard work, commitment, and a genuine love of music.

This year, five Badger students proudly represented their school and community. Selected for the first-year band were Brielle Byre on alto saxophone and Shelby Lee on clarinet. In the second-year band, Avani Washington (trumpet), Gavon Pulcinski (trombone), and Brentley Williams (tuba) joined fellow musicians from across northwest Minnesota to rehearse and perform as one unified ensemble.

For these students, the experience was about more than just playing notes on a page. It was an opportunity to collaborate, to listen, to grow, and to be part of something bigger than themselves. Performing in a larger band setting introduced them to new challenges and new friendships, while also building confidence that will carry far beyond the stage.

In communities like Badger, moments like these are a reminder of how vital the arts are in shaping well-rounded students. Music education fosters discipline, teamwork, creativity, and perseverance—skills that serve students in every aspect of life. Just as importantly, it brings people together, creating shared experiences that strengthen the fabric of a small town.

These five young musicians didn’t just represent their school—they represented a community that values opportunity, encourages growth, and takes pride in the accomplishments of its youth. Their success is a reflection of supportive families, dedicated educators, and a community that understands the lasting impact of the arts.

As the final notes echoed through the auditorium in Moorhead, one thing was clear: the future of music—and community pride—is in good hands.

Tri-County High School Spring Concert and Art Show scheduled for Wednesday, May 13

On Wednesday, May 13th, the elementary band, the Concert Band, and the Concert Choir from Tri-County will perform, starting with the choir at 7 p.m. in the small gym and finishing with the bands in the large gym. 

The Tri-County High School Band, the 5th and 6th Grade Band, and the High School Choir will present a Spring concert on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00 PM.  The bands are directed by Brad Thompson, and Kathy Englund is the choir director, accompanied by Robin Waage on piano.  

The choir will open the concert in the small gym, performing a lively new selection entitled, 

“Heartbeat Rhythms” featuring body rhythms.  The concert will continue with a musical journey through time and space, performing songs from 17th-century Italy (sung in Latin), Israel (sung in Hebrew), and New Zealand before the concert closes with their concert selection, “Coming Home”.   “The Wellerman”  from New Zealand will feature soloists Wyatt Westervelt, Landon Turner, and Eli Hartmann.  This concert will also feature the boys’ ensemble singing “Sixteen Tons,” which received a superior rating at the recent ensemble contest.  Senior choir members will be acknowledged, and awards will be given.  

The elementary band will begin the band section of the concert with multiple selections that show their progression in learning to play their instruments.  This band has grown since Christmas as many of the 5th grade band members progressed enough to join the 6th graders.  Selections for the concert include “Old MacDonald Had a Band” and “Hard Rock Blues”, from the lesson book.  Additional tunes they will be playing include “Fanfare and March” by Michael Sweeney, “Calamity Jane” by Tyler Arcari, “ Adventure March” by Chris Ferguson,  and “The Tempest” by Robert W. Smith.

 Following the elementary band, the high school band will play several selections that they have been working on since February.  They will open the concert with a march written by Prokofiev and arranged by James Merideth.  Other songs for the evening include “Ascend” by Sam Hazo, “Groovee!” by Richard Saucedo, “A Walk Amongst Heroes” by Sean O’Loughlin, “Ocean Blue” by Adrian Sims, and the world debut of the band’s commissioned piece called “A Gift of Days” by Randall Standridge.

Also featured during the evening will be the Tri-County Visual Art Show, highlighting the talents of students in both Art and Family & Consumer Science (FCS) classes. Artwork on display will include pieces from 8th Grade Art, 9th Grade Art, Art I, II, and III, as well as 7th Grade FCS and Textiles courses.  The show will be on display for viewing during the hour before and half hour after the music concerts. 

The exhibit will showcase a wide variety of media, including graphite, pastel, watercolor, charcoal, colored pencil, acrylic, pen and ink, mixed media, and sculpture. Students in grades 6-8 and 10 will also have on display their polymer clay sculptures made with our recent artist-in-residence, Layl McDill. FCS projects will feature small hand and machine-sewn items and an assortment of quilts made following different patterns–Log Cabin, Disappearing 9-Patch, and Turning Twenty.

A special highlight of the show will be the Senior Art tables, where graduating art students will display work created both this year and in previous years, offering a unique retrospective of their artistic development.

Please come out and show your support for Tri-County’s Music Department and Visual Art departments.  The bands are directed by Brad Thompson, and the choir is directed by Pastor Caitlin Jensen-Brown, and accompanied by Pastor Jeff Brown. Art and Family & Consumer Science courses are taught by Justina Pietruszewski.