On Thursday, April 12, the Northwestern College Symphonic Band left campus for their biennial weekend band tour and will return Sunday, April 15. The band will be traveling to and performing at various schools, retirement homes, churches and mission locations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Omaha, Nebraska.
“I am excited to watch the interaction between the students and the audiences,” said Director of Bands Angela Holt. “There is a variety of different venues that we will be playing at, and I hope that we can express the NW mission and God’s mission through our music.”
While on tour, the students will stay with host families and take part in local activities, such as visiting the Omaha Zoo and the Old Market.
In addition to the joy of sharing music with various audiences, Hold appreciates that the trip provides an opportunity for students to connect.
“I am looking forward to the opportunities we will have to bond as a band,” Holt said. “The tour allows [students] time to get to know other band members as friends and as more than the person who sits two or three chairs away from [them].”
Ben Grev, a junior music education major and a member of the band council, is excited about the tour.
“I love touring because it’s a time that we all get to spend time with each other outside of the band room and with no other obligations to pull us away from having some fun,” Grev said.
Grev has taken part in four previous NW tours with the band and choir. His favorite memories from past tours involve spending time with friends and getting to know and bond with host families.
“Host families are almost always the highlight of every day on tours,” Grev said. “They are always so welcoming and hospitable. And then, when we get back on the bus the next morning, we get to share the cool experiences that we had the night before.”
In order to make the tour a success, several weeks of planning have gone into the trip. Those in charge of planning for the trip, including band members, have put in a lot of effort to prepare for the four-day tour.
“There is a lot of stamping and sorting when it comes to handing out music,” said Holt’s assistant, sophomore Erica Kitchenmaster. “There is also a lot of communication between Dr. Holt, the band council, and the band as a whole.”
Despite the months of preparation and practice, Kitchenmaster feels that the work has been rewarding. “I love the process of rehearsal. It’s amazing to look back on the progress we’ve made once we make it to a concert.”
After a total of seven performances, the Symphonic Band tour will conclude on Sunday, April 15. The band will share their music and tour experiences at their final performance at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27 in Christ Chapel.
