On March 26, two members of the Albert Lea High School bands and five members of the Southwest Middle School bands attended the Southeast Minnesota Middle Level Honor Band.

ALHS band students Isaac Ware (percussion) and Zach Lind (trombone) were members of the 8-9 Honor Band along with Southwest Middle School Band Students Katie Appel (clarinet) and Emma Stensrud (alto saxophone). The 6-7 Honor Band included Southwest students Kendra Manges (flute), Kayla Overland (trombone) and Kelieye Corwin (clarinet).

Held at Austin High School, the bands featured about 200 students from 18 schools throughout southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa. The day included significant rehearsal time and a short amount of time with volunteer section coaches. The event culminated with a concert held in the Austin High School’s Knowlton Auditorium.

The 6-7 Honor Band was conducted by Robert Ouren of the Edina Public Schools, while the 8-9 Honor Band was conducted by Dr. Barry Ellis of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.