The Garretson High School Band received a unique opportunity to showcase their skills on the weekend of Feb. 15th 2025, at the 89th Annual South Dakota Bandmasters Conference, performing at the Larson Performing Arts Center on the campus of South Dakota State University.
“As far as I’m aware, Garretson has never been selected to participate,” said Chris McGregor, Garretson High School Principal. “The event is invitation only, and our band was invited this year. Obviously, we know that Mr. Sittig runs an excellent program and that we have a lot of talented student musicians, but being recognized at this level is an honor for them and for the district.”
GHS band director and music teacher Nick Sittig confirmed that as far as he is aware, in the history of the school, and almost 90 years that this conference has been going on, Garretson has never been selected to participate.
“This performance has been in the works since last spring,” Sittig said. “We had to submit a recording last year, playing two different styles of music. After we sent in our submission, the South Dakota Band Masters Association then listens to all the recordings they receive, not knowing what schools they’re listing to, making their selection on what they think was the best. So, we were lucky to get in this year.”
Though it might not have been all luck, but a combination of determination, talent and skill. The band was scheduled to play at 11 a.m. on Feb. 15th, and they did not disappoint.
Sittig said the band played the following songs for the conference. Four Cumberland Sketches by Randall D. Standridge, Kalos Eidos by Carol Brittin Chambers, The Wishing Well by Rossano Galante, Marching Through Georgia by John P. Sousa arr. By Keith Brion, Moscow, 1941 by Brian Balmages, & Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars arr. By Paul Murtha.
“The performance went very well,” Sittig said. “I am very proud on how the band performed and rose to the challenge of playing some very hard music. The music and concert were very well received. I received a lot of compliments on the band's performance.”
Though this was the GHS’ band debut at SD Bandmasters, it’s hoped that it won’t be the last.
The South Dakota Bandmasters Association is an organization dedicated to promoting music education throughout South Dakota, striving to develop excellence in bands across the state through professional development, mentorship, performance opportunities, and advocacy. The SD Bandmasters also awards annual scholarships to students seeking a music major. For more, go to https://sdbandmasters.org/.
