Through the collaboration with Fort Dodge schools and St. Edmond, Gael band students have joined Fort Dodge’s All-American Marching Band.

“We are so excited about them coming to play at halftime of our Homecoming game,” said St. Edmond Activities Director David Flattery. “Brandon Ruffridge reached out and put me in touch with Al Paulson about coordinating the show on Friday. Laura Klein-Ferry (assistant band director and color guard coach) has also been in touch with us.

“Our kids will have the opportunity to play our fight song. It will be a cool thing to see on a Friday night. Football and marching band go hand and hand and will bring a college game day feel.”

Before school started St. Edmond reached out to Fort Dodge to begin the collaboration.

-Photo by Melissa Allison
This year St. Edmond band students have joined Fort Dodge Senior High. The Dodger marching band will play a halftime show at St. Edmond’s Homecoming game against Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire Schools on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

“We were unable to fill a band teaching position, so we reached out to be able to give our band kids the opportunity,” Flattery said. “(Fort Dodge Superintendent) Josh Porter helped us put it together before school started.

“There was a lot that went into making sure our students aligned with their band schedule in the first period.”

St. Edmond students will be a part of the FDSH marching band as well as the other bands that Fort Dodge has to offer.

Paulson, who has been the FDSH band director for 12 years, and the Dodger students welcomed the new members with open arms.

“They are part of us now and that’s the way it is,” Paulson said. “Right now there are two seniors and a freshman. They are excited about the marching band and it gives them the opportunity to play.”

-Photo by Melissa Allison
This year St. Edmond band students have joined Fort Dodge Senior High. The Dodger marching band will play a halftime show at St. Edmond’s Homecoming game against Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire Schools on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

The band will get a chance to showcase their show from “Chicago” and they have also learned the St. Edmond fight song and will play during the Gaels Homecoming game against GTRA.

“We are going to play the St. Edmond fight song,” Paulson said. “The kids have learned and we will also do our full show on the field. That will be a great benefit for us as we have our contest the next day.”

Paulson has seen a smooth transmission as the band members have come together and the administrations as well.

“The administration has been very positive,” Paulson said. “I’ve talked with Mr. (Brandon) Ruffridge (Activities Director) and we all are so excited about having this and what it looks like.

“They (St. Edmond) have been easy to work with with the details, extending halftime and the Homecoming introductions.”

With the new opportunity, St. Edmond students interested in music have been able to keep playing.

“The kids have been taking advantage of the opportunity and they are enjoying it,” Flattery said. “We’ve had a marching band in the past and they played at one game during the season.

“This gives our students a chance to be in the marching band and we also have a girl in the orchestra.”

The minute Porter and the FDSH schools found out St. Edmond wouldn’t have a band, he was quick to offer support.

“Al Paulson came up with the idea to play at Homecoming and it’s going to be awesome and different for them,” Porter said. “Anytime we can collaborate and show support for St. Edmond is great for each other. We work hard to build a good relationship.

“It’s really important in Fort Dodge and the community to work together as well as Iowa Central, sharing the stadium.”

Dodgers host band competition

On Saturday Fort Dodge will host its 21st annual North Central Iowa Marching Band Clinic and competition.

There will be clinics in the morning at Fort Dodge Senior High and the Middle School. The bands will get a chance to share their music in front of other band instructors and gain feedback.

The bands will compete at Dodger Stadium, with opening ceremonies beginning at 5 p.m.

There will be 12 bands showcasing their pieces.

The Dodgers will play at 8:15 p.m. Webster City will play at 6:15 p.m. and Humboldt will follow. Iowa Central will play an exhibition at 8:30 p.m. before the awards ceremony.

“This is a very educational day that ends with a competition,” Paulson said. “We will have different eyes looking at what we are doing. Every year we have this, the students grow as players and musicians.

“Having someone else listen, they may see a different thing and spark a light bulb.”

The Dodgers will be joined by three more Class 4A schools, as Sioux City East, Council Bluffs Lewis Central and Indianola will play.

Parents and fans may come to all the clinics at the High School and Middle School as well as the competition.

The cost $8 for adults and $6 for anyone over 55 years old.

“We would love to have everyone come and support all the bands,” Paulson said. “There are several 3A and 2A bands as well.

“It will be an incredible day and great evening.”