Cliff Buchan
News Editor

They say tradition is never ending, but in the case of the Forest Lake City Marching Band, tradition can carry the unit only so far.

While the City Band has committed to marching in the Tuesday, July 4 Independence Day parade here, organizers candidly say new blood and energy is needed if this marching band is to continue much longer.

Steve Hursh, a charter member of the band and a 1970 Forest Lake High School graduate, isnít about to write off the band for future parades here, but he says younger marchers and new leaders are needed to continue the tradition.

The band has not marched in the Forest Lake parade the past two years, but will this year. The unit kicked off practice sessions last Thursday and will rehearse every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 225, 355 W. Broadway Ave.

ìThe whole idea is to keep it going,î Hursh said.

He is optimistic that others can be found who share the love of music, marching and the traditional marching band style that was borne here in 1981. Most of the founders of the band were products of Rollin Nelson-directed marching and concert bands from the high school.

There is a start in finding newcomers with the same love, he says.

As many as to six to eight members of the Forest Lake High School Drumline, plus two parents, have joined the City Band. They will help form the percussion section.

With the City Band the lead band in the parade, the high school students will rejoin the full drumline for its trip down the parade route.

Hursh says the veteran members of the band are encouraged by the willingness of the high school students to join the adult band.

ìI was impressed they were excited to do it,î Hursh said. ìThey thought it was an excellent idea.î

New blood

The addition of the drumline students will provide a shot of new blood and energy that Hursh hopes will spread to other young people. The youth will also bolster the bandís percussion group.

ìWe are excited to have the Drumline as part of our percussion unit,î Hursh says. ìThey love to beat the drums and entertain the crowd.î

Itís that kind of attitude that helped launch the City Band in 1981. Until the mid-1990s, the band remained a marching forcing, collecting numerous state and national awards.

In the mid-1980s, however, the bandís average age was 34. That was 20 years ago and clearly explains the need for younger blood, Hursh says.

ìWeíre looking for people,î he says. ìWeíre looking for young people. Weíre looking for people of all ages.î

Hursh believes the band will be in strong form on July 4th. Nelson, the beloved director, is helping with the practice sessions and may be involved on parade day, too.

The music block is expected to total 50 to 60 musicians, Hursh says. Thatís in addition to flag carriers, baton twirlers and the drum major.

Many of the distinctive City Band parade marches will be incorporated into the bandís musical set. Hursh says the Drumline members will be given several opportunities to showcase their drum skills.

The youth involvement will not go unrewarded. Hursh says the band plans to donate its $800 sponsorship fee from VFW Post 4210 to the Drumline to help support its needs.

Band officials hope the move by the younger set to join the City Band will inspire others in the area to join.

Band members need not be Forest Lake High School graduates nor local residents. The main requirement, Hursh says, is to have a love of marching band and the style of music that is part of Americana tradition today.

For more information about the band, call Jay or Krestie Voelker at 651-433-3328, George or Vicki Mickelsen at 651-257-1453, or Steve or Nancy Hursh at 651-464-1936.

For 25 years Forest Lake City Marching Band members have been having fun, Hursh says. He hopes that tradition will continue with an infusion of new blood that will take the load of the shoulders of those who have been involved since 1981.

ìWe donít need money. We donít need equipment. We need individuals who love to march and play great parade music together.î

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Forest Lake Times
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Forest Lake, MN 55025
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