All-State band strikes a chord with LCC teacher

LAUREL — Patti Beyeler is not one to blow her own horn, but her record certainly speaks for itself.

As the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge band director, Beyeler has consistently had her students chosen for All-State Band – for 20 consecutive years, in fact. Prior to teaching at LCC, Beyeler taught at Coleridge where the tradition of All-State Band student selection got its start.

“Students are chosen by auditions for Class C State Band, so each school is not assured of having anyone make it in any given year,” she said.

Students submit a recorded audition including three scales and two songs. There are four different bands that make up All-State Band in each school class – a junior high band for seventh and eighth graders; a symphonic band for high school students; a wind ensemble for high schoolers; and this year, a percussion ensemble.

Those LCC students making it to the All-State Band level this year were:

• Emma Sohler on bass clarinet and Derek Nelson on percussion in the junior high band;

• Trace Naeve on baritone saxophone, Tyler Lubberstedt on trumpet, and Landen Leonard on baritone for the symphonic band;

• Deagan Puppe on French horn for the wind ensemble;

• Dillon Olson and Matthew Nelson for the percussion ensemble. They were two out of nine percussionists chosen to debut in the new percussion ensemble this year.

These eight students joined others from Class C schools around the state to practice and then play a concert later that same day.

“They sound good at the beginning of the day and amazing at the concert,” Beyeler said. “State band members meet friends from other schools that they stay in touch with. It’s a great experience.”

Beyeler said the very large all-state band provides the students with experience playing with all the instrument parts that their band at their home school may not have. Each All-State band typically contains 75-100 students total.

This year’s All-State Band took place at Kearney High School last month.

There are many great memories Beyeler recalls over her last 20 years of teaching and being involved with All-State Band.

For several years, she spearheaded the Class D All-State Band along with Stan Johnson, the band director from Shickley. During this time, her students designed the T-shirt and sweatshirts for the event.

This year’s All-State experience was especially memorable as well with a student competing for a scholarship.

While Beyeler has certainly fine-tuned her teaching and techniques over the years, she said it is really the students who deserve all the credit.

“I have been blessed to have such talented students over the years,” she said.

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