13 bands and over 840 musicians. District band is an event that has been held for 30 years now at Pleasant Valley. The event starts out with the 6th grade class, which are the first year band students, and it is the only time that all 200 plus 6th graders play together in the same room. The performances then build and progress from the 6th graders, to the junior high kids, onto the high schoolers and then to the most accomplished level of band, the Wind Symphony. “The performance culminates in all student band, 6-12, performing America the Beautiful together and it is a really beautiful experience,” says Mrs. Daurer, one of the Pleasant Valley High School band directors.
The program has grown so much that they have had to move the event to the I Wireless center, because it is too large for the Pleasant Valley High School gymnasium. Pleasant Valley is known to have the largest band in the state of Iowa. Pieces such as Legend of Devils Lake, Tribal Quest and Blue Shades, were performed by some of the bands this year.
“District Band is a wonderful experience that showcases the growth of many talented and dedicated musicians,” said one junior high student. Vincent Gnad, a Pleasant Valley senior who has been in band for six years said, “It was extremely sad that this was my last ever District Band, but I am very grateful for the experience and all the friends I have made through band. I hope that District Band is an event that continues for many years, and more people become involved with Pleasant Valley’s band programs.”
