Several middle school students in Grand Forks have been selected as members of the 2021 North Dakota National Band Association (NDNBA) Junior High All-State Band.
The Valley Middle School students are Mirko Drago, trombone; Aidan Fiala, clarinet; Parker Forschen, tuba; and Gretta Gebhard, trumpet. They are among 164 students who were selected on the basis of a recorded audition.
Their band teacher is Tim Knabe.
The NDNBA canceled the 2021 festival because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each student, however, will receive a “swag bag” as a token of celebration from the NDNBA, according to the Grand Forks school district.
The mission of the festival is to provide a unique educational experience and musical opportunity for exceptional junior high band students; an opportunity for students to work with a noted guest conductor and talented instrumentalists; and recognition of student achievement at the junior high level.
