Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Practices have started for the Forest Lake City Marching Band and it’s not too late for new members to join the ranks.

Steve Hursh, an organizer and co-founder of the group, said the band will be 75 strong when it takes to the streets for its annual appearance in the Forest Lake Fourth of July parade. The band will march with 60 in its music block, he said.

With formal practices starting last week, Hursh said the band is still welcoming new members. Anyone in the area who has an interest in music or the tradition of marching band is welcome to join the Forest Lake City Band.

“If you can play, come on out and have a good time,” Hursh said.

Hursh said the band has gained 15 to 20 new recruits this year, including a number of Forest Lake High School students. Community members who have an interest in marching are all welcome, he said.

Hursh said the band would welcome any former Forest Lake High School marching band members who may have an interest in playing and marching for the Independence Day parade. That includes any former residents who may be home for the holiday or former band students living in the area, he said.

Three Thursday night practice sessions remain. They are June 14, 21, 28. The band practices from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and meets in the north parking lot of the American Legion Post 225, 335 W. Broadway Ave.

Anyone interested in joining the band can come to a practice or call one of the following for more information:

•Steve and Nancy Hursh, 651-464-1936.

•Jay and Kresti Voelker, 651-433-3328.

•George and Vicki Mickelsen, 651-257-1453.

July 4th plan

Hursh said the band will be led on July 4th by drum major Jay Voelker. A lead twirler for the band is yet to be named, he said.

The drum section for the band should be strong once again.

Hursh said the plan calls for a combination of veteran City Band drummers to team with members of the high school drum line for a solid drum corps. As was the case with the 2006 parade, the band will feature the drum section with a number of 30 to 45 second performances at various stops along the parade route.

“The kids are excited, especially the young drummers,” Hursh said.

Hursh said the goal of the summer program is to continue the tradition of marching band and its importance to the Fourth of July holiday.

The Forest Lake City Marching Band formed in 1981 and won numerous state and national awards in its first decade of marching. Many of the original members will be back to join the ranks this year, Hursh said.

Many of the original members were active in the high school marching band program under director Rollin Nelson in the 1960s.

Nelson has continued to remain active as director of the summer band. His status for marching in the parade on July 4th is uncertain but he will be act as a consultant during the June practices.

Since reforming in 2001, the band’s goal has been to recruit new and younger members while having a presence in the home town parade each Fourth of July. In its early years, the band marched in numerous summer parades, but now commits to just the Forest Lake event.

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