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Sophie Skinner

In the band room, Billy Nicholls, Abby Melbye, Grace Williams, Nathan Kempf, Ian Lockhart and Jack Reddan practice their music in anticipation of the pep fest Sept. 25.

With a record number of participants, a new full time teacher and new opportunities, the band is upbeat about the coming year, according to band teacher Steven Schmitz.

Schmitz said this year the band reached numerous important milestones. These include record numbers of students in both the ninth grade band and the program in general.

Schmitz said the band reached these accomplishments through a combination of new recruitment and retainment.

“We’ve done a better job over time recruiting eighth graders to make the jump into ninth grade band and we’ve kept more kids in band after ninth grade,” Schmitz said.

Schmitz said he looks forward to working full-time as the high school band teacher, a change from past years.

Freshman member Emma Meents said she noticed the changes that come with playing band in high school.

“It has been very different from the middle school, because the teacher is more involved and there is a pep band,” Meents said.

Schmitz said the band will also work with music education students from the University of Minnesota to use the St. Louis Park program as an example of a successful program.

“It is beneficial to the university students to see a program that is working and it is also beneficial for our kids because they get to see a different conductor,” Schmitz said.

Meents said she looks forward to the social opportunities that come with playing band.

“I’m looking forward to the bonding I will be able to do with my friends who are also in band,” Meents said.