St. Michael Albertville's Cirque of a Season a Wrap

The 62 St. Michael-Albertville marching band students marched their way to a successful season, earning a first place finish at two of their competitions and either second or third at every other parade besides one.

The band’s "Cirque du Soleil" routine was a huge hit with audiences and judges alike, and, though he wouldn’t talk specifics, marching band director Adam Sroka said next year’s top secret theme is in the works.

It’s a surprise he can’t wait to share with the students and the community.

Sroka has been heading up the marching band for the past three seasons and has worked in the school district’s music departments since 2002. In addition to him, Sroka said that four or five other staff members get on board and provide critical support for getting the marching band performance-ready in such a short period of time. Though a couple distinct groups begin practicing in February, like the color guard and the drum line, the entire band doesn’t get together until May. After four or five May practices and an intensive band camp week-which takes place the first full week of summer-the band is out on the parade circuit, competing against other bands.

To achieve competition readiness to quickly, Sroka said band members really take the initiative and need to have their music down pat before they even begin practicing as a group.

“We have phenomenal students,” Sroka said. “They’re always good about being prepared, but I was particularly impressed this season. They are the nicest group of students I could ever ask to work with.”

He said the students do all this despite the fact that most marching band members are noted for being extremely active in other school activities and athletics. No ‘band geek’ Hollywood stereotype need apply here-a saxophonist in the marching band is likely to be on the ball field, court or stage when he or she isn’t stepping in time down the street.

The marching band recently returned from their season-ending trip to Michigan, where they competed in the National Cherry Festival Parade and won first place in its division. The band travels out of state every other year, and in the off years they complete their weeklong band camp at St. John’s University rather than in their hometown. Past trips have included New York, Washington D.C. Boston, Colorado and even into Canadian territory with a Calgary trip.

While it’s a lot of fun and good memories, there’s a lot more running through the head of a marching band member during a parade than thoughts of Tootsie Rolls and free ice pops. Bands are judged on their musical effect-their ability to move an audience, as well as execution-right notes, right rhythm, feet in time together and other mechanical details.   Visual effects are another category, where the band is judged on their ability to smoothly move from one shape or formation to another, or do different movements to complement what’s happening musically.

 Of course, how fun would it be to march in the band without having a good support group to enjoy the fruits of their labor?

“We appreciate the support of the community,” Sroka said. “It’s really important to the organization that we have the community and parent support that we have, and we’re grateful for it.”