Minnetonka Band Headed to Championships

The Minnetonka High School Marching Band is getting ready to cap off a strong 10th-anniversary of competition with a performance Saturday in the Ninth Annual Youth In Music Band Championships at the Metrodome.

The 2013 band—led on the field by senior drum major Adam Meier—is made up of 50 students from all four high school grades, plus one eighth grader. It’s co-curricular, meaning all rehearsals take place outside of normal band classes, and includes both band and non-band students.

The band enters Saturday’s competition after placing second at Eden Prairie, Eastview and Rosemount competitions in September. The color guard won Minnetonka’s first-ever caption award for outstanding color guards at the Eastview competition for their work with flags and rifles. The band also won a caption award for outstanding wind section at Eden Prairie.

The band also performed during the 6 a.m. WCCO television news hour Sept. 27.

Its 2013 show, “The Tale of Hansel and Gretel” uses music from classical composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and Camille Saint-Saens, as well as songs from the movies Inception and I Am Legend. The band tells the story through music, marching and dance.

 “This year’s show adds some theatrical elements at a new level,” a news release quoted Band Director Miles Mortensen. “Our colorguard and drumline work in tandem for some creative expression that is new to the Minnetonka band. “We have really enjoyed seeing the students embrace what we’ve asked them to add to the musical elements this year.”

The band championships run from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Minnetonka is scheduled to perform at 12:15 p.m. Gates and box office open at 10 a.m.

Reserved seating is $17 now or $20 on the day of the even. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors and wheelchair accessible seating.

Click here to buy advance tickets.