Savage, Circle, Fairview Band Students Make Trip To Denver

A total of 45 high school and middle school band students, directors and chaperones from Savage, Circle and Fairview spent a few days in Denver, CO, recently, playing, learning and having fun. The group traveled by bus, leaving the morning of May 28 and returning on June 2. Savage

School District Clerk Michelle Miller, who went on the trip, said it was a very busy trip from start to finish. "What an experience!" she said.

May 29 was spent at the Colorado Christian University where students toured the school and worked with the head of their music department and others to hone their skills. That evening, they attended a Colorado Rockies baseball game.

The group had an adjudicated performance at Elitch Gardens where they were awarded silver. They also had the honor of playing the national anthem for the Rocky Mountain Vibes baseball game. They also toured the state capital, visited the Denver Zoo and had other fun adventures.

The trip was the brainchild of Savage Music Director Nate Louisignau who had taken his students to South Dakota a couple of years earlier. In conversation with his friend and Circle Music Director Mike Bartelson, the idea of a bigger, combined trip came about. Fairview Music Director Karolyn Orr was contacted and that school joined in as well. Miller said that a combined trip like this one would probably only happen once every two or three years since it requires a lot of planning and fundraising.

Miller said that Louisignau was also instrumental in starting the Junior High Honor Band a couple of years ago with students from Savage, Sidney, Fairview, Circle and Richey/Lambert spending two days playing and learning together, then doing a performance at the end.

"He's a terrific band director," Miller said.

Savage Band Members: Domanic Kimball, Jaxcen Sanders, Trael Smith, Adrian Smelser, Boden Jorgenson, Blaiz Dishon, Aidyn Reed, Maiah Goff, Finley Verhasselt, Matilda Verhasselt, Brooke Skov, Tayleigh Olmstead, Emma McPherson, Ezzie McPherson and Director: Nate Louisignau.

Circle Band Members: Cameron Hale, Cyrus Idland, Fallyn Phillips, Jonica Taylor, Mallory Larson, Matilda Weeding, Olivia Bradley, Remy Stempel, Hailey Larson and Director: Mike Bartelson.

Fairview Band Members: Jade Smith, Jemma Smith, Britta Poulsen, Landon Tveit, Thea Tveit, Ty Poulsen, Audree Hanson, Garrett McPherson and Reilly Pierce.

Chaperones: Bryan Smith, Bobbi Goff, Chantel Verschoot, Desiree Smith, Angela Pierce, Braelynn Bartelson, Nikole LeFors and Michelle Miller.