by Mike Knaak
news@thenewsleaders.com
The band is back together. After shutting down for Covid-19 in 2020 and a slimmed down season last year, the Sartell High School Marching Band completed a near-normal season this summer.
“The students had a lot of fun this season,” said director Dave Lumley. “It was great to have a normal season.”
The 40-member band, made up of students entering ninth grade to graduating seniors, performed in seven parades and the Memorial Day service.
Covid-19 forced cancellation of a planned trip to Denver as well as the marching schedule in 2020. Last year, there were a limited number of competitive parades. This summer, the band earned first place at the Litchfield parade, second place at the Benson parade and earned best color guard award at Milaca.
“It’s been a quite a few years since we’ve done as well as this year,” Lumley said. “We had a really strong group who worked really hard.”
The band’s marching music included selections from “Kà,” a show by Cirque du Soleil.

Sartell Marching Band member Twila Lefeber performs a solo on mellophone at the Granite City Days parade in St. Cloud on June 25.

Members of the Sartell Color Guard leap into the air holding rifles during the Granite City Days parade in St. Cloud. They are (left to right) Izzy Binsfeld; Claire Duea; Sarah Abel and Evie Lolmasteymaugh.

Members of the Sartell Color Guard perform at the Granite City Days parade. They are (left to right) Sarah Abel; Evie Lolmasteymaugh; Jack Hill; Atlas Heinen; Seija Toumi and Mady Bertsch.