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THE GERING, NEBRASKA

ELEMENTARY BAND

1974 - 1999

(Right Click On Picture To Enlarge)
This website is dedicated to the members of the Gering Elementary Band who gave so much of their time and

talents to provide outstanding music and marching to the community of Gering from 1974 through1999. Approximtely 2500 instrumental students participated in elementary band during those years creating a superb feeder program for the Gering Public Schools Jr. High and Sr. High Bands. We applaud the dedication of all these wonderful young persons and share with you, the viewer, many happy moments of participation in our school band program.

Gering Elementary Bulldog Band

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THE EARLY YEARS - 1974 - 1980

SUMMER BAND - MARCHING IN THE PARADES

5th and 6th grade students

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Elisa leads the band in the OTD Parade

Waiting to "step off" in the parade	Elementary Band says, "We're Number 1!

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CONCERT BAND - TOURING THE SCHOOLS

6th Grade Advanced Band

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Presenting concerts for our friends, families, teachers, and parents is FUN!

Doug	Jaime	James

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THE MIDDLE YEARS - 1981 - 1988 Summer Marching Band - Our First "Real" Uniforms Drum and Bugle Corps Style - 5th and 6th grade students ***

Jenny and Erin	Hey! We're all in step!	Getting ready to march

Leading the OTD Parade	"Struttin' down main"	A great looking band!

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ELEMENTARY BAND ON TOUR

Lincoln, McKinley, Northfield, and Geil

6th Grade Advanced Band

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Know what tune we're playing?	New band hats for the drummers

Demonstrating our instruments	Who needs music and stands? Not us!

" Naptime" for the 1st trumpets	Getting out of school to play is great!

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THE LATER YEARS - 1989 - 1999

Summer Marching Band

5th and 6th grade students

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Warming up before the parade	"Girl talk"

114 members doing a great job!

Another great summer band!	Erin and Kim lead the 1998 parade

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OUR LAST CONCERT BAND TOUR

MAY - 1998

6th Grade Advanced Band

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Playing in band is fun!	Entertaining the lower grades

Band Soloists	Standing to be recognized

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THE GERING ELEMENTARY BAND - EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

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1981 - 1987 BAND FESTIVAL HONORS

6th Grade Advanced Band

1981 - Concert Band - Superior Plus

30 Superior - 2 Excellent Ratings - Solos/Ensembles

1982 - Concert Band - Superior Plus

29 Superior - 6 Excellent Ratings - Solos/Ensembles

1983 - Concert Band - Superior Plus

29 Superior - 1 Excellent Rating - Solos/Ensembles

1984 - Concert Band - Superior Plus

22 Superior Ratings - Solos/Ensembles

1985 - Concert Band - Superior Plus

28 Superior - 4 Excellent Ratings - Solos/Ensembles

1986 - Concert Band - Superior Plus

34 Superior Ratings - Solos/Ensembles

1987 - Concert Band - Superior Plus

28 Superior - 4 Excellent Ratings - Solos/Ensembles

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6TH GRADE ADVANCED BAND

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The Sixth Grade Advanced Band rehearsed every Monday afternoon

following regular school hours, from 3:45 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. at the Gering

Junior High band room. The students called this practice "Monday Night

Band," and it was here they learned the fundamentals of concert band

performance. The band was made up of all sixth grade students from

the four Gering Elementary Schools: Geil, Lincoln, Northfield and McKinley.

In the Spring of each year the advanced band toured the four grade schools

and presented concerts for their teachers, parents, family and friends.

Literature for the concerts consisted of blues, jazz, rock and roll, folk, marches

and concert "program" music. The band concluded the school year by

performing on the annual "Mass Band Concert" in May.

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BEGINNING BAND CLASSES

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"Beginning Band" was held for all fifth and sixth grade students

interested in learning to play a band instrument. Students were

grouped in homogeneous or "like-instrument" groupings and met

with the teacher once per week for 25 minutes during the school day.

Students were required to practice 90-120 minutes each week at home

and played for the teacher on a regular basis. Those completing the

school year advanced to sixth grade band the following year.

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6TH GRADE BAND CLASSES

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After completing 5th grade "beginning band," students advanced

to 6th grade band. Students met in homogeneous groupings at school

band classes once per week for 25 minutes during the school day

and were required to practice 90-120 minutes each week at home.

All students performed for the teacher on a regular basis

and also played in "Monday Night Band."

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SUMMER MARCHING BAND

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As part of the band curriculum all 5th and 6th grade students were

recruited to participate in summer marching band. Rehearsals were

held at the Gering Junior High Music Facility. Here, the students were

taught the fundamentals of marching and music memorization. "Summer

Band" was in rehearsal for five weeks and concluded by the band

marching in the Oregon Trail Days Kiddie Parade and the Oregon

Trail Days Celebration Parade. In addition to the band's regular summer

performances the students played for several civic events during these

years. On occasion, the elementary bands performed with the jr. and sr.

high bands in football half-time shows.

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Mr. Forsythe - Our Teacher

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SCHOOL SONG: "Our Director"

PERFORMANCES: Annual concert tour of the elementary schools.

Annual Mass Band Concert

Annual Oregon Trail Days Kiddie and OTD Parades

1981-87: Western Nebraska Elementary Band Festival

1974-1999: Several Civic Functions

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Northfield Elementary, Geil Elementary

Lincoln Elementary, McKinley Elementary

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