The Minnesota State Band in 1898. The band has done four concert tours of Europe and will return this summer to Germany and Switzerland. The trips are financed by band members. Less ambitious road trips have included a performance several years ago at the restored bandshell in Stillwater, where the lights and wood lining of the shell produced sights and sounds that recalled times when nearly every small community had regular summertime band concerts. Auditions are required.
Turnover varies, too.
Some years, the band will lose only a player or two. And we meet almost weekly, for events and practices, so it's a demanding schedule. People drop out to have children. It's always good to see them return. Especially if they bring an instrument that's in demand.