By Pete Wurdock
The band program at TAS has undergone significant changes in the last several years that resulted in a drop in the number of students participating in the program. But with a new director and an energized Band Booster organization working diligently, everything seems to be lining up harmoniously for the future.
There was a flurry of resignations and hires that didn’t pan out in the band room. This was a struggle for students, who tried to adapt to the frequent changes of band directors. But that struggle appears to be over. The band enrollment is encouraging. There are 38 students in the 6th grade (Beginning Band) and the students are brimming with enthusiasm. Currently there are 11 students in the middle school band and 10 in the high school band.
Band Director Nicole Gustafson joined the TAS staff in February of 2024 and knew the challenge in front of her, but she is here to stay.
“Every time a director came in, they had new expectations. The students had to adjust to that director’s style and it wasn’t easy,” Gustafson said. “As a result, many kids lost interest and stopped coming.”
Now in her second calendar year of leading the band, Gustafson has laid the groundwork for the music. “It’s wonderful to have our group of Band Boosters on board, who understand my vision and are helping to make it happen,” she said.
Though the school year started in September, the kids couldn’t play together until October because some of the students previously enrolled in band had not returned their instruments. This April, Gustafson and the Band Boosters are managing a TAS Band Booster Instrument Drive where they are seeking to reclaim lost instruments and asking the community to donate instruments and even cash to support the program. Families who still have instruments are asked to return them to the school, no questions asked.
Gustafson is thrilled to have the support of a small-but-mighty committee of Band Boosters. President Neal Fryling acknowledges the challenges and casualties brought on over the past few years with regard to directors.
“Each director the kids had was coming from a different musical education,” Fryling said. “One might be a percussionist and one might have a background in strings, so they all had a different way they heard music and this impacted the way the kids were taught.”
“Band kind of fell into just being a class in school,” he added. But he also voiced his optimism. “We want to bring band back to become part of the community again. We’re missing that here and now we have the right kids for it and a real chance to make it happen.”
The rural U.P. has lost a substantial amount of people when all of the economic platforms are built upon sustained growth. But there is nothing in the playbook for when something downsizes on a community level, which is what TAS was experiencing. Another frustration and challenge that exists for the program is losing their concert environment in the old high school auditorium. The future of that room is not certain.
With the current participation in the beginning band, enrollment should continue to grow.
“If we give the kids more than just a classroom, we can bring them back into the community where we can bring back a ‘pep’ band or a marching band,” Fryling said. “I think Ms. G. is going to be the key to this, and she has all the ability to make this flourish. If the community can support this, it will happen.”
“Music is an important part of a community,” Gustafson said. “It can be a very unifying thing.”
The spring concert takes place on May 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium. The concert will feature a concert by each band and some combined band performances.
