The music has returned to St. Regis, Mullan schools
Front row, from left to right, are Dillon Thomas on the soprano saxophone, Grace Marie McGuffey on the violin, and Macy Hill on the flute play during St. Regis High School's first concert of the year open to the public. (Amy Quinlivan/Mineral Independent)
They got the band back together, at St. Regis School and then some. It was quite the comeback concert on May 14 for music teacher Derek Larson who works in both Mullan and St. Regis School districts.
Like other schools across the country, auditoriums and stages have been void of musical performances since the pandemic started. For Larson and his band students this was their first recital in over a year.
“It’s just really rewarding to be able to play with people, especially coming off of the pandemic and everybody being solidified in their own little cubicles. It’s just really nice to be in a big group like this and make some great music together,” shared Larson.
The band was privileged to also have some additional instrumental backup. Mullan band members trekked over the hill to join in at the St. Regis gymnasium, following their successful combined performance in Idaho the night before.
Along with current students, various alumni added to the depth of the performance like recent graduate Zach Flandreau on the bongos.
More seasoned alumni like Matt Eisenbacher who learned to play the drums a few years back in St. Regis High School provided the beat for the evening, and District Representative Denley Loge on his trusty old trombone.
Rounding out the group of community volunteers were Anita Bailey from St. Regis on keyboard and percussion. Former Superior teachers, Amber Winter and Chris Martineau pitched in too.
These exciting musical numbers were accomplished from musicians all around Mineral County and two different states.
Larson noted, “I absolutely love having community members play for our band, it is one of my all-time favorite things that I maybe do differently than some band directors. Some will call them in to bolster weak sections but I just enjoy having other people who can pop in and play with us. So, if any of you are interested just let me know and I will involve you also!”
With numerous students having to take time off musically due to the pandemic, this past school year has been a season of getting back in the groove for Larson and his bands. He said “We had a lot of new students this year so we added a new section of band. The first two songs of the night were geared towards those students who have had to work really hard to catch up from a year off due to COVID.”
Cinematic featured tunes like Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, and Moana, got the night started which then led into an upbeat compilation of Michael Jackson hits.
Rounding out the performance the band highlighted some Celtic tunes and even old Irish melodies. The concert had a little something for everyone.
Most importantly was the significance of this long-awaited return to musical performances for the public and it also being the first time that music departments from Mullan High School and St. Regis played in unison. “So, this year is making history with these two schools playing together. I would love to do this so often with our two schools. It’s such a nice relationship that we have between the two, and the friendships across the band and across the border,” expressed Larson.
Larson will direct his high school band one more time this school year during graduation ceremonies on Sunday, May 23.
The last musical performance before summer break is the fourth through sixth grade concert at 2:40 p.m. Thursday.