10/8/2012 7:40:00 AM Decorah Marching Vikings make it eleven in a row
The 125-member Decorah High School Marching Band, "The Pride of the Vikings," garnered their 11th consecutive Division I rating at the Iowa High School Music Association's State Marching Festival at Western Dubuque High School in Epworth Saturday.
The band performed their fall show "Chase the Dream," the music of trumpet legend Bill Chase.
"It was a bit of a brutal day, weather-wise," said DHS Band Director Jim Fritz. "It was 37 degrees when we performed with a 20 mph northwest wind hitting the band right in the face. However, the kids really focused and put on a magnificent show. They did it the 'Decorah Way' and performed at their peak."
Fritz continued, "One of our judges commented that it was definitely the most difficult music and drill that they'd seen all day and we scored one of the highest point totals in the 27 years I've been at DHS. It was one of the premiere performances of the day. We were very proud of the students. They represented Decorah Pride in the best way possible."
The DHS Pride of the Vikings Marching Band is under the direction of James Fritz who is assisted by Matt Cody, Liz Fritz, Jerry Dean and Mark Kvale. Drum majors are senior Claire Breitenstein, junior Alexis Hove and junior Brad Suhr. Colorguard captains are Kirsten Arneson, Randi-Kate Canoy, Brianna Carolan and Brittany Hudson. Soloists are senior trumpets Patrick Larson, Alex Bishop and Maggie Locke along with senior alto saxophonist Noreen Gentry.
The band gives their final performance of the year at the home football game Friday, Oct. 19, which also is band parent night. Senior band members and their parents will be individually recognized following the band's performance.
The annual Music Boosters Chili Supper will occur prior to the game in the high school cafeteria.
Tickets are available for sale from high school music students.
