IGHPS: Simley's 2021 Marching Band Impresses At Parades & Sets Record At Fair

Press release from Inver Grove Heights Public Schools:

09/07/2021

The Simley Marching Band is off and performing for their 2021 season. With 90 members, this is also the largest marching band Simley has had in 10 years!

After a 12-day evening band camp, the Simley Marching Band performed their show Aztec Fire on August 12. Community members came to Spartan Stadium to enjoy the performance. A few days later, students performed at the Vadnais Heights Heritage Days Parade. It was the band's first parade since 2019.

“I was so impressed with this group’s growth from the community performance to their first parade. More than 30% of this band is brand new to marching band, and they have been incredibly resilient," Simley Band Director Kevin Robinson said. "Each performance has gotten better, and I am so excited to see where we end the season.”

On August 22, the marching band performed in the Woodbury Grande Days Parade. The band received the Judges' Choice Award, which goes to the parade participant that is the most entertaining, crowd-pleasing, creative, and fun. While waiting for the parade to begin, the Simley Marching Band also performed in the Woodbury Royals football stadium. They ran through their performance for the South Washington County Schools Marching Band, which includes members from Park Cottage Grove, East Ridge, and Woodbury high schools.

On August 31, the Simley Marching Band performed at the Minnesota State Fair for the first time in two years. The band put on their best show to date as they moved their way through the judging stand.

"This performance really showed the band's hard work and concentration," Simley Band Director Kevin Robinson said. "This was the first time most of our band members had performed at the State Fair or in front of such a large crowd, so it was incredible to watch their judging stand performance. These students stepped up and performed together, and I am so proud!"

Mr. Robinson emphasized the importance of all band members being in-step during a judging stand performance and how obvious it can be when a band is out of sync.

"It was really special to see them perform at such a high level for so many people while having fun at the same time."

The judges gave the Simley Marching Band a total score of 79 in the areas of visual effect, marching execution, music effect, and music execution. Their 2021 score improved upon the previous school record set in 2018!

Congratulations to the Simley Marching Band on all of their outstanding performances so far! Catch their next performances at the Inver Grove Heights Days Parade and the Defeat of Jesse James Day Parade (Northfield) during the weekend of September 11.

This press release was produced by Inver Grove Heights Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.