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Marching Band
Other Staff
Submitted by Andy Combites on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 1:36pm
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Numerous other people volunteer their time to help with musical, marching, and visual instruction and support. These include techs (most are Irondale alumni or their friends) and guest instructors. We are eternally grateful for their untiring efforts.

Music of the Knight Score Archives
Submitted by Andy Combites on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 4:25pm
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Class A School Score
1st Hastings 64
2nd Baldwin-Woodville 56.1
3rd Rocori 55.4
About the Irondale Marching Knights
Submitted by Andy Combites on Wed, 04/02/2008 - 2:37pm
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Celebrating a Tradition of Excellence

The Marching Knights of Irondale High School are one of Minnesota's premier marching bands. They pride themselves on being recognized as a progressive and innovative organization. Irondale has established a tradition of excellence through quality performance and diverse educational goals.

Frequently asked questions
Submitted by Andy Combites on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 4:30pm
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Q. What is the Marching Schedule? How will it impact my family’s summer?
A. The schedule is available on our Web site and as handouts throughout the season. 

Q. Can you be in sports and marching band at the same time?
A. YES! Many marching band and color guard members are also athletes. Scheduling can be arranged if you talk with your captain and director. Students who need extra study time may have to prioritize which activities they want to join.
 
Q. Can we take a family vacation in the summer if our teen is in Marching Band?
A. YES! Every band member needs to submit the dates they will miss marching band activities. Band members MUST attend Band Camp which will be held late in July. First year band students should attend as many rehearsals as possible because there is SO MUCH to learn.
 
Q.   What does Marching Band Cost?
A. Fees for the 2009 fall marching band season are $675, but actual costs are approximately twice that amount. The remaining program costs are covered through a variety of fund-raising events sponsored by the Band Boosters throughout the year. Students and parents are expected to participate in those fundraisers. Remember, your investment in your child will teach them discipline, teamwork, coordination, manners, dedication, and they will get in great shape (not to mention, they will experience GREAT music). There is scholarship assistance for families in need.
 
Q. As a parent, what is involved in being a Marching Band Booster?
A.   When your student joins Marching Band, you automatically become a member of the Boosters. No additional paperwork, applications, or fees. We encourage all Booster parents to participate in our meetings and activities. The benefit to you is that you get to hear news about your child, even if they never tell you what happens at marching band! We have a lot of fun working on fund raising, making flags, hemming uniforms, building props and chaperoning great teenagers. When your teen registers for marching band, you will have an opportunity to indicate the activities that interest you.  
 
Q. How will my child get to and from practice all summer?
A. Many of the older marching band kids drive to practice. You will receive a membership directory that could help you to arrange rides for your teen when needed. Parents are usually eager to carpool, also.
 
Q. My teen is not a great student and good organizer of time. How will they balance homework & marching band in the fall?
A. Many students become more disciplined after joining marching band. Also, your teen will have great role models in marching band. Older students really work hard to help rookies (incoming freshmen) to understand how to stay on track with school and band. If your student is interested in help, there are many possibilities within the school to meet his/her needs. As a parent, you may need to help your teen prioritize homework ahead of the weekends that will be spent away at band shows. Many students bring their study materials along on field show weekends. Quiet/study time on the bus is often mandatory on longer trips.
 
Q. My teen is SHY & doesn’t know anyone who’s joining the band. Will he/she fit in with the group?
A. YES! Each instrument section has team captains who work hard to integrate all students in section activities. Many students develop lasting relationships, weird wardrobes, strange nicknames, and really take pride in their section T-shirts.
 
Q. My teen doesn’t really play his instrument all that well. Are there auditions for marching band?
A. NO! Everyone is welcome in marching band. All of this extra practice will really improve your student’s playing ability. There are so many other dimensions to marching band that playing skill is really only one small part of the whole experience.
 
Q. My teen is not very coordinated. How will he/she be able to march and play at the same time?
A. It’s a miracle! You won’t believe this is the same teen you sent to the first practice when you see them in their final show. An amazing transformation occurs. It’s from hard work and a lot of encouragement (and fun!).
 
Q. My teen is from Mounds View High School. Can he/she play and letter in Irondale’s Marching Band?
A. YES! Absolutely! The marching band is open to all high school students in the Mounds View 621 School District. We want any interested student to be a part of this great group.
 
Q. My teen is in confirmation class and is required to attend a fall retreat weekend. What if this conflicts with a field show?
A. Students and family members will need to make the decision that best suits their beliefs and priorities. In previous years, students have missed a field show to attend important church events. You need to complete an absence request ahead of time.
 
Q. Can my teen have a job and be in marching band?
A. We sure hope so. Our teens need money for all the gloves and socks they lose and have to replace for marching band!   Many students juggle jobs and band. Schedules should be arranged so that the student minimizes absences from practice.
 
Q. Can my teen be in orchestra and marching band?
A. Yah, sure, you betcha they can! Some orchestra students pick up completely different instruments for marching band. Other orchestra students join the color guard.

 

Irondale's staff includes:
Submitted by Andy Combites on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 3:28pm
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Director – Bill Sucha
Visual/Musical Staff – Andy Combites, Kathy Dorn, Ross Martin, Kevin Bohl, Ben Firkus, Ian Olson, Brian Schutta, Anna Fabian, Janelle Hippen, Mike Metzger, Kevin Whalen, Tyler Shipe, Laura Mason, Chris Morrissette, Jake Karkula, Chad Friesleben and Jeff Meyers
Percussion – Paul Weber, Joel Matuzak, Kirsten Matuzak, Jeremy Jones, Heather Novak, Jake Coon, Tiegan Gullivar, Jon Kamrud, and Matt Richards
Color Guard – Gary Swanson, Jen Piché, Shubhang Davé, Jessica Kracl, Pat Lane, and Julianne Stennes
Drill Design – Andy Combites
Musical Arranger – David R. Young 

Past honors include:
Submitted by Andy Combites on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 3:27pm
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3 time BOA Regional Finalist
2003 WGI Winter Drumline Open Class Bronze Medalist
2003 WGI Winter Guard World Class Finalist
2002 WGI Winter Guard Open Class World Champions

About the show
Submitted by Andy Combites on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 3:26pm
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The 2004 edition of the Irondale Marching Knights from New Brighton, MN marks their 15th competitive season. This year the Marching Knights perform contemporary wind band pieces by Samuel Hazo, Philip Sparke and Alfred Reed to present their show entitled “IT'S ABOUT TIME.” The Marching Knights use each piece to explore different aspects of time: passing time - hours and minutes, reflection - decades and years, deadlines - seconds and moments.

"Time is what keeps everything from happening at once."

Musical selections are Ride by Samuel Hazo, “Lento” from Dance Movements by Philip Sparke, and Symphony for Brass and Percussion by Alfred Reed.

Irondale will be performing at several competitions throughout Minnesota and at Valley Fest in Des Moines, IA as well as the BOA Super Regional in St Louis, MO this season. We would like to thank all of our parents and boosters for all of their assistance during this season and to our alums and fans for your continual enthusiasm and support of this activity and our program. Everyone at Irondale wishes all competing bands the very best this season!

About the show
Submitted by Andy Combites on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 3:25pm
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Entering their 13th competitive season, the Irondale Marching Knights are proud to present their 2002 show entitled "Flight: Taming the Perilous Skies". Celebrating the accomplishments of the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk and 100 years of manned flight the Marching Knights perform "To Tame the Perilous Skies" and "On a Hymnsong of Lowell Mason" by contemporary wind band composer David Holsinger. They are led on the field by Drum Majors Peter Mauro and Kevin Whalen.

This year the Marching Knights will perform in parades in Shoreview, New Brighton, Stillwater and the State Fair. They will be performing in field shows in Minnesota and Wisconsin and will travel to Dallas, TX for the Bands of America Dallas Regional competition in October. In addition, a spring tour to Hawaii is planned in March 2003 for the Irondale Bands. Irondale would like to thank all parents, friends and administration for their continual support and hard work.

About the show
Submitted by Andy Combites on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 3:24pm
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Entering their 14th competitive season, the Irondale Marching Knights are proud to present their 2003 show based on the famous George Gershwin piece, "Rhapsody in Blue". They are led on the field by drum majors Kevin Whalen and Nathan Blinn.

About the show
Submitted by Andy Combites on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 3:19pm
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NevermoreThe Irondale Marching Knights, from New Brighton, Minnesota, are proud to present their 2007 program, "Nevermore," based on the mysterious and chilling poem, "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. The musical score was composed specifically for marching band by Frank Sullivan and the Irondale Marching Knights are excited to share their interpretation of this classic tale with you. 

The Marching Knights are led on the field by drum majors Allie Radomski and Andrea Peterson. 

2007 marks the 18th competitive season for the Irondale Marching Knights. This fall, Irondale will be performing in seven field competitions in Minnesota and Iowa, as well as the Bands of America Super Regional in St. Louis, Missouri and the Youth in Music Championships at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

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