2021 Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band Program

Petoskey High School

Steel Drum Band 2021 Program

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WELCOME BACK FRIENDS! It’s so good to be back! It’s no fun to rehearse all winter long if you have no place to play!

As we compiled this 2021 Petoskey Steel Drum Band Program, vaccinations were being administered, festivals were being scheduled, and the band was working hard preparing for what they hope will be a busy summer of great music.

The coronavirus certainly limited the band’s performance opportunities in 2020, but it never broke their spirit. The band’s directors and students have never lost sight of returning to live performances and in 2021 they plan to be back to doing what they do best: singing, dancing, and playing those drums.

If you’ve never heard the Petoskey Steel Drum Band perform before, you’ll be amazed that these are high school students. Long-time band volunteer Roy Harvey always described the band as having “the quality of seasoned professional musicians with the charm and energy of high school students.”

Members of the band are students who just completed their senior, junior, sophomore, and freshmen years at Petoskey High School. The addition of freshmen in 2021 is new to the program that had previously been limited to just upper classmen.

This 30-piece band will bring a big sound, a variety of musical genres, and as Mr. Harvey noted, “a lot of energy!” So, sink into your lawn chair, clap in rhythm, sing along, and if you just can’t resist, get up and dance to the fun sounds of the Petoskey Steel Drum Band.

We sincerely hope you enjoy the show.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the photos of band members used in this publication were taken prior to the pandemic when the use of masks and social distancing was not required. The Petoskey Band Program has gone to great lengths to follow proper health guidelines to assure the health and safety of their students.

Our

year

A steel drum band….in northern Michigan? Petoskey is a long way from the steel drum’s roots in Trinidad and Tobago and from the Caribbean Islands where the sounds have become famous. However, in the mid-90’s, Barry Bennett was inspired. The inspiration came from a performance by a percussion ensemble from Central Michigan University led by Bennett’s former CMU instructor Robert Hohner. The ensemble featured some steel drums that provided a sound that intrigued Bennett, a sound from which he thought he could build a program.

Barry Bennett

ector

Founder and Retired Dir

Bennett, one of the Directors of Bands in Petoskey, started the PSDB in 1997 with just 12 students, nine sets of drums, and only four performances on the calendar, but he said the response was very positive. “It was fantastic,” Bennett said. “I knew we were onto something.” Starting the band was no small feat considering no one knew how to play the instruments, including Bennett. He said he received a lot of help in the early years from the other band directors and from some other musicians in the community.

From those early beginnings, and with a lot of fund-raising, the band has grown to more than 40 students and nearly 30 sets of drums. In a typical season the band plays a full schedule of around 30 performances spanning both winter and summer.

“It’s a little scary to think that those kids that were in the first steel band are now in their 40’s,” Bennett said with a laugh, noting that today’s band members weren’t even born when the band started. Over the 25 years, students have learned many lessons, gained many experiences, traveled thousands of miles, and performed in some beautiful places. Petoskey Steel Drum Bands have performed in Hawaii, Disney World, and multiple times in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. At one time they performed in the Caribbean on a cruise ship.

Now in its 25th year, there is some prestige that comes with being in the band. Senior Paige Simard remembers sitting on the floor at Lincoln Elementary School as a kindergarten student watching the PSDB perform a holiday concert. “I wanted to be one of them up there on the stage someday,” Simard said. “Knowing that now I am one of the girls bouncing around in the front of the band makes me feel so proud and so glad that I had this opportunity,” she added.

With Bennett’s retirement last year, the steel drum band continues under the capable direction of Duane Willson, an alumnus of the Petoskey Steel Drum Band. Willson has been a Director of Bands in Petoskey since 2013. Assisting Willson is Patrick Ryan, another Director of Bands in Petoskey, and another alumnus of the steel band. Ryan still occasionally steps in to sing with the band when he gets a chance.

New to the Petoskey Band Program is Tom Harder who was named the third Director of Bands in 2020. Harder comes to Petoskey from Charlevoix where he taught band for the past five years.

Congratulations to Mr. Bennett and today’s Directors of Bands for starting and continuing a legacy of excellence with the Petoskey Steel Drum Band, a legacy that still delights audiences and provides incredible experiences for students 25 years later.

Today’s band fills the stage at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts.

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Panning THROUGH THE Pandemic When the Petoskey Steel Drum Band rolls into town, a joyful, infectious energy fills the air. Entire communities clap and sway to the Caribbean beat as the colorful, double decker trailer bounces through the streets. Then, in 2020, the celebratory music came to a halt as festivals and parades were canceled. The worldwide pandemic meant that crowds needed to stay home to stay safe, and the sunny beat of summer was temporarily quieted.

During a typical summer, the steel drum band performs an average of 25 gigs, but the past year brought only 4 opportunities to perform before a live audience. Duane Willson, Petoskey’s steel drum director, was able to arrange a few additional performances for the Class of 2020 by securing venues with a small number of people, per the CDC guidelines. The lack of play time resulted in this year’s juniors and seniors missing out on a whole summer of performing; this is typically when students begin to really understand the tunes, perfect the show, and perform at an elite level.

Instructors Duane Willson, Tom Harder, Pat Ryan, and Barry Bennett teamed with the local health department and a local infectious disease doctor to create a plan to function safely so Petoskey’s band could play on. During school days, the percussion section was kept separate from the larger groups, to lessen possible exposure to Coronavirus. A new program called Smart Music was implemented allowing students to play, record, and receive feedback online. The band teachers worked tirelessly to figure out how to implement an educational experience that kept student safety at the forefront, while continuing Petoskey’s tradition of excellence.

So far, the precautions have been successful; nobody has experienced an outbreak because of playing in the band.

When asked about making music, Willson said, “It has been an interesting year dealing with the pandemic. It has brought its own set of difficulties, but I’m proud to say the students have been great and we are getting ready for a busy summer. For current and future steel drum students and families, as well as all of our fans, I would like them to remember the following:

When asked about highlights of the past year, Willson said, “The first of last summer’s few performances stick out in my mind as a bright spot. It had been so long since everyone was together in front of a crowd. Even though they were masked up, hot, and socially distanced, everyone could tell that the kids were beaming under their masks because they were so happy to be together and performing.”

In order to keep things as routine as possible during the pandemic, students brought the extremely valuable steel drums home and practiced regularly. Mr. Willson said, “Being able to play music and perform with a musical instrument is always a good outlet for students. The kids have been really responsible about making arrangements to get their drums if at all possible. It has been really exciting to see the enthusiasm they have towards taking a steel drum home to practice when faced with quarantine.”

“The best is yet to come!”

The Double Decker

It’s big. It’s red. It’s loud, and it has become a fixture in parades throughout the state and as far away as New Orleans. The Petoskey Steel Drum Band double decker performance trailer is as unique as the band itself and has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for the band’s performances.

Many people call it the “bus” probably because it somewhat resembles the red double decker buses in London. However, the band just calls it the “double decker.” The triple-axle trailer is made of reinforced steel and aluminum and has customized fixtures to hold the steel drums, speakers, generator, and sound equipment. It even has a port-a-potty for those long Mardi-Gras parades. Its suspension was reinforced to withstand the bouncing that occurs when the students play.

The inspiration for a performance trailer came from San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2003. The Petoskey Steel Drum Band of that era was performing on the Norwegian Dawn, a cruise ship, that was on a port-of-call in San Juan. While walking around the city, the band director, Barry Bennett, and long-time band volunteer Dan Cole, saw a rickety trailer in a parking lot that appeared to be a steel band performance trailer. It was.

When they saw someone hitch it up and pull it away, the idea was born.

Back in Petoskey the band purchased a trailer from a farmer for $5,000. Cole says plans were literally drawn up on a napkin at a local restaurant. That vision was taken to Performance Engineers, a firm in Charlevoix, who did the final design. “Safety was paramount,” Bennett said, so he wanted a well-engineered design. Finding someone to build

it presented the first major challenge. “No one wanted to touch it for liability reasons,” Cole said. “So I said to Barry, let’s just build it ourselves,” and that’s what they did.

It was 2005 when construction took place and the project lasted about four months to get it performance-ready, but the work has never stopped. “It’s like owning a house,” Bennett said. “You just keep working on it all the time.” He estimates they have put more than $70,000 into the trailer including the addition of a third axle, reinforced suspension, a drop-down gate for the bass pans, a lighting system, and its own sound system. Bennett is quick to credit and thank a number of people who have contributed to the design, construction, and safety of the trailer. They include Matt Monnier of Monnier Construction, Kevin Stewart, Mike Downey, Jim Moore of Metal Head Welding, and Corey Bennett.

The trailer has made seven trips to New Orleans for Mardi Gras parades where it has a custom canopy to keep the kids dry. It has rolled down the Magnificent Mile in Chicago for the annual Festival of Lights Parade, and it has been in parades throughout Michigan including Lansing, Grand Rapids, Holland, and Traverse City to name a few. It is also used for street performances at holiday open houses and festivals.

Cole now lives in Reading, Michigan, but still regularly drives the truck pulling the double decker through the parades, something he’s done for years. Cole, who is a musician himself, says it’s a labor of love. “The excitement of the kids is what drives me,” Cole said. “Being with the kids is an amazing experience for me, and this is my way to give back and to pay it forward for these young musicians.”

The Double Decker under construction in 2005

The first time the Double Decker was used for a performance was at Petoskey’s Fourth of July Parade

The Double Decker today!

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THE

Instruments Steel Drums, or pans as they are called, are believed to be the only non-electric instrument invented in the 20th Century.

The instrument’s origins date to the late 1930’s in what is now the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Fifty-five-gallon oil drums left behind by the U.S. forces after World War II became a key source of new instruments.

Today’s pans are manufactured to more technical specifications by companies like Panyard and Coyle Drums and can be found in every kind of performance venue around the world. While there are many sizes and styles of pans, the Petoskey Steel Drum Band uses four “voices.”

t row.

The Lead Pans, seen in the fron

The Lead Pan is a single drum and is seen along the front row. It carries most of the melody with a range of around two octaves.

In the second row are the Double Seconds which carry more of an alto voice. They are a set of two pans per musician and carry some melody and counter melody. They also have a range of around two octaves.

The pans seen in the back right, from the audience perspective, are called Cellos and carry the band’s tenor voice. Each cello player has a set of four pans with a total of around 18-notes.

The Cellos, seen in the back right

The Bass Pans are generally seen in the back left and each set has six large, red drums. They also have 18-notes.

Rounding out the band is the “Engine Room.” In a jazz band they would be called the rhythm section, but in Trinidad and Tobago terminology the drum kit, bass guitar, congas and other auxiliary percussion instruments are known as the engine room.

The Bass Pans, seen

in the back left

the

SET LIST

The set list and order of music varies from performance to performance. Some of the songs in the Petoskey Steel Drum Band 2021 repertoire include: I Wish Stevie Wonder

You Can Call Me Al Paul Simon

Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison

Shut Up and Dance Walk the Moon

Margaritaville Jimmy Buffett

Birthday Party Len “Boogsie” Sharpe

Lord of the Dance Ronan Hardiman

Where the Boat Leaves From Zac Brown & Wyatt Durrette

Siamsa Ronan Hardiman Big Country Bela Fleck & The Flecktones Dueling Banjos (Pans) Arthur Smith, from the Motion Picture Deliverance Fiesta Latina Lalo Davila Cantina Band John Williams The Hammer David Rudder Where’s My Thing Rush Jump in the Line (Shake, Shake, Shake Senora) Harry Belafonte Hoedown, from “Rodeo” Aaron Copland Hot Hot Hot Arrow (Buster Poindexter) Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) Shakira Dain Bramage Tracy Thornton Pan Can Jam Tracy Thornton When the Sun Goes Down Kenny Chesney

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Soca Tatie Byron Lee & the Dragonairs Yibambe Joseph Estevez, Jr. & Alejandro Gonzalo Morning Dance Jay Beckenstein, Spyro Gyra Tio Macaco Snarky Puppy If you hear the band during the holiday season, their set list might include: Trepak Tchaikovsky, from the Nutcracker Suite Linus and Lucy Frosty the Snowman Greensleeves Santa’s in the House Sleigh Ride The First Noel Carol of the Bells Holiday Medley It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Purchase the band’s music

online!

The Petoskey Steel Drum Band’s music is now available to download. Take us with you on your boat, your next road trip, or to add more fun to your next summer party. You can purchase the Band’s music on iTunes, Google Play Music, CD Baby and Amazon Music.

Full albums are $9.99, and individual songs are $0.99, great prices for a great time! See the band’s complete discology below.

Over the years, the Petoskey Steel Drum Band has recorded its music and made it available to their audience as CDs, DVDs, and now as downloads. The sales of their music are an essential part of the band’s fund-raising efforts.

Discology: Jamaican Me Crazy, 1997

Parrot Steel, 2013

Steel in Paradise, 2000

Festival on the Bay Live, 2015

Steels Christmas, 2003 Lord of the Pans, 2006 Petoskey Steel Band “Live” DVD, 2009

Caribbean Christmas, 2016 Festival on the Bay Live, DVD, 2018

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MAELI COVEYOU,

BEA PUTMAN, Leads. Parents Tana and Kevin Putman. Bea is involved with the theater program and National Honors Society. She values the bonds she has made with friends in the band and likes to see how happy they make everyone when playing. Bea is inspired by anyone who sets their mind to accomplish something and then does it.

Her hobbies include snowboarding, karaoke, thrifting and biking. She is part of the North Central Michigan College Early College Program.

BROOKE CROFF,

PAIGE SIMARD, Leads and Vocals. Parents Andrea and Eric Simard. Paige appreciates the opportunity to grow as a musician through the discipline and experiences the band program provides. She is on the soccer, basketball, and forensic teams as well as a member of the National Honors Society and Youth Advisory Committee of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

She chases sunsets, reads, listens to music, hikes, and swims. She is in the Early College program at North Central Michigan College.

CLASS OF 2021 Bass Pans. Parents Suzie and John Coveyou. Maeli is active in track, golf, robotics, Key Club, and the leadership club. She is also a member of the National Honors Society. When she has free time she enjoys hanging out with friends and traveling. She would someday like to visit South Korea because she was adopted from there. Maeli has not decided where she will attend school in the fall.

Bass Pans. Parents Kim and Gordon Croff. Brooke loves traveling all over Michigan to showcase how hard the PSDB works all year. She is a member of the Cheetos club and volunteers at a local animal shelter. She enjoys reading, kayaking, paddle boarding, and camping in her spare time.

Brooke will be attending Eastern Michigan University in the fall, majoring in Criminology and minoring in Psychology.

ABBY HANEY, Cellos. Parents Dana Pinney and Chuck Haney, Scott Pinney. Abby’s interests include skiing, working, and hanging out with friends. She is inspired by her parents because they are hardworking and good people. She would someday love to go to Hawaii and Greece. First, it’s off to East Lansing to attend Michigan State University. Fun Fact: Abby’s birthday is Jan 1st. She was the first girl born in Emmet County in 2003.

HOPE HOPKINS,

Leads. Parents Steve and Jen Hopkins.

Hope is on the softball team and enjoys skiing and running.

She is in the Early College program at North Central Michigan College. She loves seeing the crowd happy and smiling when playing the steel drums. She advises younger students to join the band program because it teaches hard work and dedication.

Fun Fact: Hope hosted an exchange student from China.

TARYN INGALLS, Double

Seconds. Parents Robin and Del Ingalls. Taryn enjoys being a part of the soccer and volleyball teams, DECA, Model UN, and National Honors Society. Her pastimes include traveling, boating, baking, and reading. She loves the energy that steel drums draw from the crowd and the unique opportunity to see different towns and festivals. She will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall majoring in International Relations.

LUKE SUMPTER, Double

Seconds and Drum Set.

Parents Courtney Lo and JL Sumpter. Luke says that the PSDB has taught him to manage his time with practicing and other life commitments. He likes to see everyone in the crowd get excited for live music. Luke is on the golf team and the Youth Advisory Committee of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation. He will be majoring in finance at Southern Methodist University in Texas. Fun Fact: Luke has a black belt in Tai Kwan Do.

NATHAN VAN NORT, Double Seconds and Vocals.

Parents Sonia Lievanos and Richard Van Nort. Nathan enjoys making videos and playing music in his free time.

His favorite part about being in the steel band is playing fun songs and spending time with his friends in the different places the band travels. He is undecided on his plans for next fall. Fun Fact: Nathan likes to do magic tricks.

ANNABEL WILCOX,

Leads. Parents Joelle and Dan Wilcox. Annabel loves making the audience happy and watching them have fun as she performs with the PSDB. She says that playing in front of people has given her confidence. She is a member of DECA, National Honors Society, and the tennis team.

Horseback riding and skiing are what she enjoys in her free time.

Annabel will be studying at the University of Michigan this fall.

CLASS OF 2022

KAINALU KIPAPA,

Bass Pans and Vocals. Parents Stephanie and Kapuakela Kipapa. Nalu would not give up anything for the opportunity to be a part of the Petoskey Bands. He loves the energy the steel drum band exudes. He plays the tuba for the concert band and is a drum major for the marching band. Nalu is also a member of the golf team. He will be studying pre-med at Indiana University. Fun Fact: Nalu has lived in Hilo, Hawaii.

HALEY DIXON, Double Seconds. Parents Kelly and Harry Dixon. Haley loves playing steel drums and making everyone smile. She is a drum major for the marching band and plays trumpet.

She plays varsity soccer, skis, and rides horses. She is in the Early College program at North Central Michigan College. London, England is one of the places she wishes to visit.

CELIA MICHAEL, Leads and Vocals. Parents Susan and Steve Michael. Celia values the time she spends with her friends in PSDB. She loves seeing the audience happy while they play. Her activities include DECA, National Honors Society, Cheetos club, tennis, and the theatre program. She will be majoring in business at Michigan State University this fall.

MARY FRAN FORTON, Leads. Parents Michelle and Larry Forton. Mary Fran is a member of the ski, volleyball, and quiz bowl teams. She also enjoys running. She is inspired by a good workout. Her favorite part of the PSDB is dancing around with her friends. She appreciates how her time and dedication contributes to the discipline that will last her lifetime.

Mary Fran would love to visit Greece in the future.

HAILEY PAULSEN,

DANI HICKMAN,

Leads. Parents Kelly and John Paulsen.

Hailey’s favorite part of the steel drums is dancing while they perform. She is a member of DECA and enjoys horseback riding.

Hailey admires her parents because they inspire her to be a better person and achieve bigger things. She believes being in the band program gives you both musical and life skills. This fall she will be heading to Arizona State University where she will major in business.

Leads and Vocals. Parents Thelma and Scott Hickman. Dani is a member of the Madrigals, theatre program, and tennis team. She loves interacting with the crowd and seeing everyone smile and having a good time. She says the relationships and responsibilities you learn in band could never be replaced and is a truly amazing opportunity. Fun Fact: Dani has been to 5 countries.

QUINN LOGEE,

Double Seconds and Drum Set.

Parents Becky Carpenter and Bob Logee. Quinn is on the tennis team and in the jazz band. He says the experience of being in the PSDB is incredibly fun and unlike anything else. He believes being involved in the band opens up the door for so many new and cool experiences. Fun Fact: Quinn works as an artisan bread baker in the summer.

LEIF OWEN, Bass Guitar. Parents Maya Story and Owen James. Leif enjoys performing with the theatre program, Madrigals, and jazz band. He enjoys anything relating to music whether it is composing or performing. Leif also plays the piano, alto saxophone, and tuba. He says the band can have strenuous learning parts but once you get the hang of the songs playing them is so much fun.

KYLE PETERSEN, Cellos and Vocals. Parents Christi and Todd Petersen. Kyle likes the fun times he has traveling and playing with the PSDB. He also enjoys performing in the theater program. One of his pastimes is playing both the electric and bass guitar. He also builds them in his free time.

Kyle is inspired by talented musicians.

KYLE RICK , Cellos and Drum Set. Parents Julie and Stephen Rick. Kyle likes performing with his friends and watching the people in the crowd have a good time. It makes him happy when he sees the young kids dance and wave at them when they play. Kyle is involved in the jazz band and likes to fish and hunt. He would love to someday fish and hunt in Canada.

ABBY TROWER,

Leads. Parents Leslie and Dave Trower. Abby performs with the theatre program and enjoys having jam sessions with her friends. She loves interacting with the crowd and having friends and family come to watch the performances. She says that the band program pushes you to learn time management and make many friends. Abby is inspired by music because it is personal to every person.

ANNABELLE WILDER,

Leads. Parents Karolyn and Mark Wilder. Anabelle looks forward to every PSDB gig and performing in the Chicago Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. She is a member of the Key Club and participates in competitive swimming. She says that being in the Petoskey Bands is a great way to be a part of a family and is so much fun.

CLASS OF 2023 JACK ARMSTRONG, Double Seconds. Parents Jane and Jim Armstrong. Jack participates on the track and forensics teams. He enjoys skiing, academics, and working at the Sunglass Shoppe in Petoskey. He loves the energetic atmosphere the PSDB creates. He looks forward to all the future gigs and performing in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade in Chicago. Fun Fact: Jack was born in South Korea.

AUDREY GIETZAN,

ALLISON SHAW,

Double Seconds. Parents Tes and Kevin Geitzen.

Audrey participates in the Madrigals, theatre program, and tennis. She says the music performances are the most important thing to her and gives her something to look forward to in school. Performing through music allows her to express herself. Her hobbies include playing piano, art, reading, and photography.

MADDIE SHAW,

ANNIE JONES, Leads. Parents Patricia and David Jones.

Annie is on the soccer team and enjoys listening to music and hanging out with friends. She says that band teaches you time management and how life is not always easy. She comments that most people do not realize how much time the band puts into making great music. She has met a lot of fun people by being in the band.

Cellos. Parents Laura and Kevin Shaw.

Allison has a lot of fun being a part of the PSDB. She likes to travel and see all the cool places where they perform. She says she would be in the band program 100 times over again. When not in school Allison enjoys working, photography, hunting, fishing, and being outdoors. She would love to go to Alaska to see all the wildlife.

Leads. Parents Kathe and Bryan Shaw. Maddie enjoys showing the audience how the hard work of the PSDB pays off. Their smiles as they perform are rewarding. She says being in the band program is a fun and great learning experience. Maddie also participates in Madrigals and the theatre program. She is also the varsity basketball manager.

ELLIE TODD, Cellos and Vocals. Parents Jenni Eustice and Mike Todd. Ellie states that band is a once in a lifetime opportunity of which she is glad she took advantage.

Her favorite part of being in the steel drum band is building relationships with people of like interests and performing. In her free time she hangs out with friends, reads, and sews. Fun Fact: Ellie is the oldest of 6 other siblings.

NICOLE TRAN,

Cellos. Parents Tri and Thao Tran.

Nicole loves hanging out with friends in steel drums. She appreciates the opportunities she has to travel and perform with the band. She wakeboards in the summer and skis during the winter months. She would love to visit Dubai.

Fun Fact: Nicole also speaks Vietnamese.

LAUREN KLEPADLO, Leads. Parents Hilary and Dennis

Klepadlo. Lauren gets inspired when she travels. In Jamaica, she heard steel drums play which inspired her play in the PSDB. She says that being in the band program allowed her to meet upperclassmen which is helpful in high school. Lauren plays on the varsity softball team and enjoys boating, skiing, and snowboarding.

MAYA LENT,

Leads. Parents Kristyn and Richard Lent.

Maya believes that being in the Petoskey Band program has changed her life for the better. The best decision she ever made was to join the band because it is a good community of which to belong. She is an avid skier and skis every day in the winter.

She would like to travel to New Zealand and Switzerland to ski.

Meet the rest of the band on the next page

»

CLASS OF 2023 (...Continued) ANDRE PANOS, Double Seconds and Drum Set.

Parents Dina and John Panos. Andre says being in the PSDB is a unique and fun experience connecting with your friends through music. He plays in the jazz band and enjoys bike riding. Andre advises others to join the band program for the love of music but be prepared to work hard and push yourself.

WILL SCOTT,

Double Seconds. Parents Lorelei and Jason Scott. Will runs on the cross-country team. He enjoys skiing, playing guitar, and small engine repair in his free time. He looks forward to going to Alaska for the peace and quiet and to Mardi Gras with steel drums for the noise and excitement. Fun Fact: Will’s ideal vehicle is a 1952 Chevy 4400 truck.

COSMO FRANSETH, Cellos.

Parents Kamala Gold and Mitch Franseth. Cosmo is on the robotics and soccer team.

He likes playing virtual reality and hanging out with friends.

He enjoys learning the many songs for steel drum. He believes the band program is a lot of work but is definitely worth it. Cosmo would love to visit Australia someday.

EZRA FRANSETH, Cellos. Parents Kamala Gold and Mitch Franseth. Ezra enjoys being a part of the theatre program, soccer, and robotics team. He also likes to play tennis recreationally. His favorite part of PSDB is playing the songs and doing the fun visual choreography. Fun Fact: Ezra has a coin collection.

SOPHIA GARDNER, Bass Pans. Parents Karen VanAllen

REAGAN WALSH,

and Mark Gardner. Sophia says the band program is a lot of work and the learning process is very long. She adds that it all pays off when you get to perform because it is so enjoyable playing for other people. She is on the golf team and likes to ski. One day she would like to ski out west.

LILLIAN WARNER,

VIVIAN HARTMAN, Bass Pans. Parents Sarah and Dan Hartman. Vivian plays hockey, softball, and chess. This year she started a chess club with her friends. She says the band program teaches work ethic and responsibility. It is a great opportunity to be a part of something big and that everyone loves to watch. Vivian has a goal of going to all 50 states.

Leads. Parents Denise and Dan Walsh. Reagan is thrilled for the opportunity to perform in front of other communities and have fun with the band after working hard all winter. She participates on various volleyball teams throughout the year. She enjoys listening to music of all genres and dreams of going to Greece. Reagan loves to spend time with her family.

Bass Pans. Parents Brooke and Matt Warner. Lillian’s favorite part of the PSDB is traveling around to all the different communities. Her overall joy is playing with the people she is surrounded by. She says the steel band requires a strong work ethic and a lot of motivation but it is very rewarding to see how the band improves. Lillian participates in track and enjoys art and music in her free time.

KATIE WINTER, Leads. Parents Christine and Troy Winter. Katie says that band inspires her to keep pushing through and achieving her goals for success. It also helps her with time management. Katie enjoys making people happy and bonding with her peers when performing. She enjoys gymnastics, dance, and skiing.

CLASS OF 2024 AIDAN CLEARY, Double Seconds. Parents Jen and Dan Cleary. Aidan is on the track, ski, and cross-country teams. He enjoys cycling, running, hunting, and fishing in his free time. Aidan says it is very satisfying when he learns the music. It makes it much more enjoyable to jam out on the pans.

RYDER DIGIULIO,

Leads. Parents Helen and Price DiGiulio. Ryder is on the robotics and tennis teams. In her spare time she roller blades, ice skates, bikes, and skis. She loves being a part of the steel drum band even though it is a lot of work. She is excited to be a part of steel drums since she has watched it as a kid. Fun Fact: Ryder loves learning about genetics.

LUKE INGALLS, Double

Seconds. Parents Robin and Del Ingalls. Luke participates on the track, basketball, cross country, and robotics teams. What inspires him is seeing people who are at the top of their field. He realizes he could accomplish the same thing if he works hard enough. Fun Fact: Luke’s family has been in Petoskey Bands for a total of 13 years combined!

ARIEL NGUYEN, Leads. Parents Amy and Andy Nguyen.

Ariel is involved with the Cheetos club and volleyball team.

She likes to draw, play sports, listen to music, and sleep in her free time. Her favorite part of being in steel drums is playing the energetic music. Ariel enjoys the learning process and the feeling of accomplishment when she is able to stick the rhythms by herself.

LANDON SLATER, Cellos. Parents Stacey Kenifeck and John Slater. Landon enjoys the challenge of learning so many songs to prepare for the summer gigs. He says that the energy in the band is contagious and is thrilled to be a part of it. He tells younger students that if you join the band program you will thank yourself for the experience. He is in the jazz band and enjoys biking.

EVE WILLOUGHBY, Leads. Parents Sandy Sparrow and Ken Willoughby. Eve’s favorite subjects are art, music, and science. She is involved in the theatre program. In her free time you can find her reading, hiking, and hammocking. Eve says it is satisfying when you know your steel drum music because it helps you enjoy playing. Her advice to younger musicians is that band is not a class you can coast through and you have to be dedicated.

THE MARDI GRAS TRADITION CONTINUES ...

A TRANSFERABLE EDUCATION

is a smart choice.

Virtually

Stephen Conner Beer ‘18 North Central (A.A.) University of Michigan (B.A.)

Mardi Gras in New Orleans has been a long-standing tradition for the Petoskey Steel Drum Band. The band started performing there in 2003 and made trips to the Big Easy every other year since then. Their last trip was in 2019, and 2021 would have been their year to return, but the pandemic forced the trip’s cancellation as well as the cancellation of the parades and other festivities in New Orleans.

Even though they couldn’t be there in person, the band was there virtually this year.

Director Duane Willson said an organizer with the Krewe of Bacchus Parade reached out to the PSDB about recording a song to share as part of this year’s virtual parade. Not only was the band’s recording of the song Fiesta Latina shown in the virtual parade, but Willson said the recording was also used as background music during several of the interviews.

This February 2021 virtual Mardi Gras performance by the Petoskey Steel Drum Band can be seen on You Tube.

Scan this QR code to watch the video!

So, will the Petoskey Steel Drum Band ever go back to New Orleans? “That’s the question on everyone’s mind,” said Willson. He said he is continuing to work with the school’s administration and communities to find ways to safely perform in front of northern Michigan audiences, as well as audiences across the U.S. “We will be back at Mardi Gras and the Chicago Festival of Lights Parade as soon as we can while maintaining the safety of our students and volunteers,” Willson said.

Student Photography is provided by Mary Paquette, of Photography by Paquette www.photographybypaquette.com

“The Associate of Arts program was best suited to help me properly transfer to another school later down the road. The credits I earned at North Central transferred seamlessly to the University of Michigan.”

Starting your college education at North Central is easier than you think!

Apply today.

It’s fast, FREE and easy.

Schedule a tour. tour@ncmich.edu

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THANK YOU TO THE

PELLSTON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FOR HOSTING OUR GIG ON THURSDAY, JULY 1ST! Thank you to the following people and businesses for their generous donations to help the Pellston DDA sponsor this event: Alpena Ground Services/ Pellston ARFF Beach’s Up North Tavern Burt Home Services, Inc.

Maple Bay Marina Ramone Procknow Willey Construction, LLC

Cook’s Hardware

Williams Marathon and Auto Service Center

Jim Boelter Construction, LLC

Please support our local businesses!

Landmark Lodging and Waterfront Dining

Bay View inn

Victorian country inn on the shores of Little Traverse Bay in Bay View 800-258-1886

Crooked riVer lodge, alanson Family-friendly lodge, overlooking the picturesque Crooked River in Alanson. Indoor pool. 866-548-0700

Perry Hotel

Just off the bay in Petoskey’s historic downtown Gaslight District.

800-737-1899

staffords.Com

Pier restaurant

Waterfront dining at the marina in beautiful Harbor Springs.

231-526-6201

weatHerVane restaurant

True waterfront dining. On the channel at the drawbridge, downtown Charlevoix. 231-547-4311

Paul W. Reed, D.D.S., M.S. Or thodontics and Dentofacial Or thopedics

Publishing INFORMATION

This program is the official publication of the Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band. This project is coordinated by parent volunteers who donate their time to sell advertising and to gather and develop content. After covering design and printing costs, all advertising revenue is used to support the Petoskey Steel Drum Band. Please thank and support those advertisers who have made this project possible.

Member American Association of Orthodontists

414 Petoskey Street Petoskey, MI 49770 231.347.4145 Toll Free Number 1.800.932.2097

This program is designed and printed by Mitchell Graphics, Petoskey, MI. Project Volunteers: Carlin Smith, Dina Panos, Robin Ingalls, T. Jones, Julie Joles, and Kim Croff Treasurer:

Melissa McGeehan

Student Photos: Mary Paquette, Photography

by Paquette Candid Photos: Kim Croff and Parents & Students of the Band For information on how you can advertise in a future program, contact Carlin Smith, carlinsmith356@gmail.com.

BOOK The Band If you would like information on how to book the band for your festival or special event, contact Duane Willson at 231-348-2278 or email, willson.dm.t@northmen.org.

Find information about the band at www.petoskeyschools.org/steeldrumband

231-675-2344

Or follow the band’s adventures by liking them on Facebook.

How Do They Do It? Sometime in mid to late October the rigorous marching band season draws to a close. The Petoskey band students collect their trophies, put away their uniforms, and then they go their separate ways. Some go straight to the concert band, others to the jazz band, and this group grabs their mallets to begin rehearsals for the holiday steel drum performance season.

The Petoskey Steel Drum Band only has four to five weeks to learn, master, and memorize around a dozen holiday songs.

They rehearse regularly during the high school band class and sometimes have special evening rehearsals. Students also figure out ways to take the drums home to practice evenings and weekends.

During the holiday season, the band generally performs at community open houses and at the band program’s annual holiday concert. Depending on the year, they may also travel as far away as Lansing, Grand Rapids, or Chicago to perform in holiday parades.

After the holidays, it’s back to the rehearsal stage with a whole new set of charts to learn for the summer concert season. Generally, the band has more than 20 songs in its summer repertoire. “The workload gets pretty intense as you add more and more music,” said sophomore Annie Jones.

“It’s more to memorize as you get different pieces of music with different visuals and parts,” she added. The students work almost as hard on the visuals, the choreography if you will, as they do the music. Most of those visuals have been developed by the band members themselves and handed down from class to class, often with a new twist.

Is it hard to play a steel drum? Senior Paige Simard says it takes some extra finesse. “You not only have to learn where the notes are placed, but you also have to be able to move your body around with the music and remember to smile,” she said. Simard added that sight reading is very difficult, especially trying to look back and forth between the music and the drum, but eventually the muscle memory kicks in.

For Senior Taryn Ingalls, the repetition really helps. “We practice the music so much that it truly becomes a part of you and at the concerts you can just live in the moment and let yourself enjoy the experience,” she said.

The summer tour can be grueling. In a typical year, they play more than 20-shows across northern Michigan, sometimes with performances in two different cities on the same day. Each show requires setting up and tearing down the equipment. But the summer is when their hard work pays off.

They perform in many beautiful places, at fun festivals, and in front of large enthusiastic crowds. Simard said the crowds make it worth it.

“I love entertaining and seeing people in the crowd so happy to hear us play,” she said.

"Complete strangers can stand silent next to each other in an elevator and not even look each other in the eye. But at a concert, those same strangers can find themselves dancing and singing together like best friends.

That's the power of music."-Unknown

Thanks for bringing the power, Petoskey Steel Drum Band!

Harbor Brenn Band Members

Protecting Northern Michigan is our privilege, helping Northern Michigan GROOVE is our passion!

1231 N US 31 Hwy * Petoskey, MI * (231) 347-8113 * www.harborbrenn.com Locally owned and operated since 1977

Imagine That!

Supporting the Arts since 1905 To the boy with the kindest smile, we love you. firstcb.com Member

FDIC

Harbor Springs • Petoskey • Traverse City Cheboygan • Grand Rapids • Birmingham

In loving memory of Abraham Knott.

Every Road Trip Needs Great Tunes the best care, for your best friend.

Dr. Holly Howard

421 Stimpson, Suite 104 Pellston, MI, 49769 231-539-7113 www.pellstonanimalclinic.com

2170 N US Highway 31 Petoskey, MI 49770 231-439-3673

- W.W. FAIRBAIRN & SONS -

since

1895

the house of service 231-548-2244 | wwfairbairn.com | 7529 S US Highway 31, Alanson, MI 49706 W.W. Fairbairn & Sons | Plumbing • Heating • Cooling

Fun Facts PSDB Alumni Christian Wilder, Tony Audia, Graham Young, and Adam Reed now tour nationally as the alternative country band, the Michigan Rattlers. In 2019 they performed at the DTE Energy Music Theater as the warmup band for Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bob Seger.

In normal years the PSDB performs their holiday show at each of Petoskey’s four elements schools….all on the same day!

In a typical summer the PSDB truck and trailer will log 2,3 00 miles!

Find a home that suits your lifestyle.

BAY HARBOR 4000 Main Street, Bay Harbor 231.439.2000

HARBOR SPRINGS 257 E. Main Street, Harbor Springs 231.526.9889

harborsir. com

SupportTHE BAND

Imagine what it takes to manage the Petoskey Steel Drum Band, and then imagine that the steel band is just one component of a much larger instrumental music program at the Public Schools of Petoskey. From grades six through 12 there are approximately 400 students playing instruments in Petoskey. There are concert bands, steel drum bands, and jazz bands at all grade levels, and then a highly regarded high school marching band that competes around the state.

Fund raising is one of the band program’s biggest challenges.

The Petoskey Steel Drum band alone has more than $150,000 worth of instruments that need annual tuning, two trucks, an equipment trailer, and their double-decker performance trailer.

They travel to more than 20 shows around northern Michigan over the course of a typical summer. It’s an expensive program, yet the band is 100% self-sustaining; they are not funded by the schools.

PETOSKEY HARBOR SPRINGS GAYLORD TRAVERSE CITY

BUILDING CENTERS & DESIGN SHOWROOMS

This is

Char-Em

Fans of the Petoskey Steel Drum Band are vital financial supporters. We hope you will continue to give by purchasing a new CD or DVD, download our music, look for the donation cannister at our merchandise table, or send a donation to the address below.

Performance fees provide another significant revenue stream, so it is important that you also continue to support the festivals and concert series that bring live music to all of us.

Thanks for your continued support!

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE PAYABLE TO: Petoskey Band Boosters 801 Northmen Drive Petoskey, MI 49770

ALL IN, every day.

Supporting Children and Families through Char-Em ISD Early Childhood Special Education Services

Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District Serving children & communities in Charlevoix, Emmet, and northern Antrim counties.

www.charemisd.org | 231.547.9947

#MYMACKINAC

M ACK I NACISL A N D.ORG

THER E’S ONLY ONE

MACKINAC ISLAND PLAN YOUR TR IP TODAY

To See and To Be Seen 415 Bridge Street 325 E. Lake Street 137 E. Front Street 131 Mason Street 415 Bridge StreetMI• Charlevoix, MI 49720 Petoskey, 325MI E. Lake Street • Petoskey, MITraverse 49770 City, MI137 E. Front Street • Traverse City, MIMI49684 Charlevoix, Saugatuck, 231-547-4730 231-946-4730 231-547-4730 231-348-4730 231-348-4730 231-946-4730 231-881-2024

Largest selection of Maui Jim sunglasses in the North Exceptional Sun & Optical Collections | RX Available

Hello Steel Drum Lovers!

What a fabulous treat for us who live thousands of miles from the islands!

Kudos to all the people who make this happen!!

I sell real estate in Traverse City – the booming, bustling great energy town where everyone wants to live. I’ve had the pleasure of growing up, here – and for 30 years, the joy of helping others find their perfect spot in our little paradise.

I’ve also had the pleasure, for 17 years, of hosting Ask the Real Estate Guy with Jack Lane on WTCM AM-580. You can listen to it from anywhere in the world (even the islands!).

That’s it. I don’t want to take up any more of your time. Let’s listen to these kids and their amazing toe tapping music. Get up and dance if necessary!! I’m just happy to be a small sponsor of this amazing musical feast. But do keep this program handy – and if there’s ever anything I can do for you, real estate wise, in the Traverse City area, please let me know. You’ll love living here – whether it’s on the water, downtown or some delightful spot nearby.

Jack Lane

231.995.0000

30 years of Hoorays!

Integrity, Experience, Results

Tune in to:

Ask the Real Estate Guy! with Jack Lane Saturday mornings 8 to 9 on WTCM Am-580 northern Michigan’s #1 show

PETOSKEY

Steel Drum Band 2021 SCHEDULE

JUNE

JULY

JUNE 4TH, 7:00 P.M.—PETOSKEY

JULY 1ST, 7:00 P.M.—PELLSTON

DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY SUMMER OPEN HOUSE

VILLAGE CONCERT, PELLSTON DDA

JUNE 24TH, 7:00 P.M.—MACKINAW CITY

JULY 4, 11 A.M.—ALANSON

MACKINAW CROSSINGS

FOURTH OF JULY PARADE AND CONCERT

JUNE 30TH, 6:00 P.M.—HARBOR SPRINGS

JULY 4TH, 6:00 P.M.—PETOSKEY

MUSIC ON THE GREENS BIRCHWOOD FARMS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

PETOSKEY’S 4TH, DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY PARADE AND POST PARADE STREET CONCERT

JULY 14TH, 7:00 P.M.—MANISTIQUE MUSIC IN MANISTIQUE

JULY 15TH, 6:00 P.M.—CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

JULY 16TH, 7:00 P.M.—ROGERS CITY ROGERS CITY WATERFRONT PARK

JULY 17TH, 1:00 P.M.—PETOSKEY WILLSON’S GARDEN CENTER 100 YEAR COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

JULY 21ST, 7:00 P.M.—SAULT STE MARIE MUSIC IN THE PARK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

JULY 22ND, TBD—TRAVERSE CITY CONCERTS ON THE LAWN GRAND TRAVERSE PAVILIONS The Petoskey Steel Drum Band Schedule is subject to change.

Visit www.petoskeybands.org for the latest updates, or follow the Petoskey Steel Drum Band on Facebook.

Inquire today at bccfamily.com • 231-439-1600 • Harbor Springs, MI

Building a thriving community.