12 in a row--Decorah HS Marching Band gets a "1" rating

(Video: The DHS Band rehearses on Friday morning)

The Decorah High School "Pride of the Vikings" Marching Band received their 12th consecutive Division I rating at the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Festival at Waterloo's Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The 125-member band performed the music of Stevie Wonder in their show, which was entitled "Grit, Love & Groove."  The music had been specially arranged for the band by Coe College music professor Steve Shanley.

The 2013 Drum Majors were seniors Brad Suhr and Alexis Hove and junior Talia Raddatz.  The colorguard captains were seniors Brianna Burke, Carli Galligan, Lexi Holm and Makenzie Wieseler.  Soloists included junior Keeley Greco on mellophone, senior Maleah Garwood on baritone horn and junior Madison Ihde on trumpet.  Combo soloist on "Sir Duke" were junior Hayley Miller on piccolo, senior Kelly Minear on clarinet, sophomore Ashley Gulrud on alto saxophone, junior Tyler Lubke on trumpet, senior Hannah Hougen on mellophone and junior Fred Paulson on sousaphone.  "Pas de Deux" dancers were senior Brianna Burke and junior Jeremy Jostand.

The Decorah High School Marching Band is under the direction of James L. Fritz, with assistance by Matt Cody.  The Drumline is directed by Jerry Dean.  The Colorguard is directed by Elizabeth Fritz.

The Decorah HS Marching Band will perform one last time this fall--this Friday at halftime of the home football game against Oelwein.  It is also Band Parents Night, in which all of the seniors and their parents will be recognized following the halftime performance.

(Left to right): Drum majors Alexis Hove, Brad Suhr and Talia Raddatz.