Tea Area High School Marching Band gears up for exciting 2025 season

The Tea Area High School Marching Band is ready to hit the field with an energetic and visually stunning show this fall, under the direction of Stephanie Wranek. With a new sound system, updated graphic panels, and a talented roster of student performers, the band is preparing for a season full of excitement and school spirit.

“The students are super excited about this year’s show,” Wranek said. “We have added some graphic panels and a new sound system that we are excited to show everyone.”

This year’s performance, titled “Marian: The Ladyhood of Sherwood Forest,” puts a twist on the classic Robin Hood story. 

“It’s based on Robin Hood, but he gets captured and Marian comes in and saves the day and rescues him,” Wranek explained. 

The show will highlight a combination of musical selections and visual elements designed to immerse audiences in the story.

Preparation for the season has been thorough, with weekly sectionals throughout June and July, followed by a two-week band camp at the end of July into early August. 

“Student involvement was very high, and we are sitting in a good spot going into the beginning of the year,” Wranek said.

Several students will take center stage as soloists, including Claire Hyronimus and Kelsey Kramer on French horn, and Allie Wallum on flute. Wranek also highlighted the colorguard and drumline for stepping up to tackle more challenging material than in previous seasons.

As a relatively new competitor in field marching, Tea Area is embracing the challenges. 

“Since we are new to field marching, everything is still challenging for us, but the kids are eager to learn,” Wranek said.

Looking ahead, the band’s primary goal is to entertain while providing a positive learning experience for students. 

“Our goal is to have fun and entertain our audience. The students learn so much during the season and strive for excellence, but in the end, we want them to have fun and make memories,” Wranek said.

The band’s performance schedule includes homecoming (Sept. 12), two additional home football games, and competitions in Luverne, MN (Sept. 27), Yankton (Oct. 11), and USD (Oct. 18). Community support is encouraged through volunteering as chaperones, assisting with props, or providing water and snacks for students during long competition days.

The 2025 Marching Band roster is as follows: 

Drum Majors: Skylynn Broesder, Sage Fanning, Haley Knodel

Colorguard (17): Gretchen Curtis, Kapri Drewes, Harper Heier, Natalie Hyronimus, Ella Kamps, Ashlyn Karpinen, Gabby Kubik, Grace Preheim, Breslyn Rand, Rachel Row, Savannah Stahnke, Elizabeth Stange, Avianna Steen, Kaelee Taylor, Kairis Thomas, Elizabeth Tuohino, Grace VandenHoek

Flutes (8): Allie Wallum, Isabella Preheim, Gracie Kramer, Breanna Reiners, Mira Heier, Mya Roman, Addalyn Ackerman, Audrina Schaaf

Clarinets (14): Sam Bullis, Zaiden Johnson, Hannah Broughton, Selina Bolte, Lily Graham, Jayla Haroldsen, Kiarra Osterman, Audrianna Whiting, Trista Smith, Rory Crawford, Madysen Markhardt, Sophie Larson, Jayce Bernard, Sarah Wilson

Alto Saxes (13): Will Roberts, Kim Brockberg, Hadley Rand, Logan Castle, Myranda Schnasa, Isaiah Voltzke, Devon Kruger, Jannah Ricaldi, Jackson Bender, Joey Anderson, Eskay Kowa, Georgia Thim, Aven Malloy

Tenor Saxes (2): Ben Grunewaldt, Korbyn Kistler

Bari Saxes (3): Trenton Stroman, Dawson Bunkofske, Bridger Herman

French Horns (4): Claire Hyronimus, Kelsey Kramer, Ethan McGrew, Kyler Plott

Trumpets (13): Riley Clark, Kyle Simpson, Ada Klemisch, Taylor Lowe, Kade VandePol, Carly Corner, Grant Curtis, Ben Will, Owen Coyne, Kaden Smith, Lincoln Dykstra, Caleb Vandewalle, Lakeisha Kago

Trombones (18): Arden McGraw, Beau Wranek, Andrew Schmidt, Zach Moreno, Landon Biddle, Luke Wharton, Noah Korver, Jeremiah Wilgers, Natalie Bien, Alex Schmidt, Thiik Lual, Colton Rimmer, Cael Hermanson, Will Rieland, Mason Graves, Mason Woodring, Sutton Spielman, Kadence Soulek

Baritones (4): Corbin Sheffield, Dom Bartscher, Kaleb Smiley, Malachi Wilgers

Tubas (5): Isaac Burrack, Ty Olson, Kage Olson, James Scott

Battery Percussion (8): Vera Anderson (snare), Lola Lopez (snare), Jaden Knodel (snare), Eliam Bullis (tenors), Daphne Decker (BD2), Jesse Godber (BD4), Kenadi O’Neill (BD1), Ryker Cerney (BD3)

Pit Percussion (11): Ensel McGraw (bells/xylo), Reegan Dose (marimba), Lola Underberg (Perc 1), Leah Walder (Perc 3), Natalie Gass (Perc 3), Mathew Oye (Sound FX), Aedan Peiser (synthesizer), Tai Lyle (Perc 2), Leo Jordan (Bass Guitar), Camron Miller (Perc 2)