Proceedings, 1997

National FFA Band
Sponsored by Ford Division— Ford Motor Company and the National FFA Foundation General Fund
"Our job is to wake people up
every morning," said Gene Englerth,
now in his sixth year as National FFA Band
director. Whether they played in the morning,
noon or night, opening the National Agricultural Career
Show or closing an evening session, the band stirred many
convention-goers with its rousing renditions.
Described by Englerth as a "symphonic show band," the
National FFA Band blended striking orchestrations with
solo performances. A unique feature of the band was the
introduction of each number by band members. The goal,
said Englerth, was "to feature the kids as much as possible."
To commemorate the re-release of the Star Wars films,
the bands repertoire featured the music of composer John
Williams, including selections from "Jaws" and other film
ARIZONA: Julie Johnson, Payson;
Christopher Mortensen, Duncan
ARKANSAS: Jessica Keahey, Lake
Hamilton; James Nichols, Sheridan;
Rick Seidenzahl, Oden
CALIFORNIA: Carolyn Hillman,
McArthur; Richard Irwin,
Westminster
COLORADO: Roy Gillham. Peetz;
Richard Rumsey, Valley
CONNECTICUT: Kristen McArea,
Woodbury; Sean Vegas, Carla
Roselli; Jason Vegas, Lyman Hall
GEORGIA: Lori Johnson, Eastside
Transitional
ILLINOIS: Tara Aumann, Nokomis;
Kimberly Carton, Geneseo; Tracy
Eltrevoog, Seneca; Celestina Smith,
Chicago Ag. Science
IOWA: Michael Anderson, South
Hamilton; Patrick Colan,
Crestwood; Jason Heeren, South
Hamelton; Chris Lursen, Waverly-
Shell-Reinbeck; Brian Seda,
Gladbrook-Reinbeck; Tyler Smith,
Humboldt; John Welander,
Pomeroy-Palmer
KANSAS: Lance Albertson, Hiawatha;
Brett Klingenberg, Peabody-Burns;
Sue McCay, Williamsburg; Kelli
Wischmeir, Jefferson West
KENTUCKY: John Cole, Fulton
County; Jennifer O'Banion, Taylor
County; Stephen Wilmot, McCreary
Central
MICHIGAN: Cheryl Gibbons,
Hastings; Melissa Lancaster,
Hastings; Jennifer Leininger,
Waldron; Sarah Martz, Marshall;
Shirley Pavlin, Montague; Lori
Preston, Branch Area; Peter Tirrell,
Charlotte
MINNESOTA: Wade Fowler,
Winsted; Sarah Hayes, Watertown-
Mayer; Elizabeth Pasch, Cannon
Falls; Elizabeth Popwski, Harshall;
Valerie Romann, Alexandria;
Jacqueline Werner, Perham
MISSOURI: Kyle Beverlin, Trenton;
Kate Blossom, Clopton; Seth Boyer,
Maysville; Dana Farmer, Polo; David
Fritz, Monroe City R-l; Jacob Hill,
Sweet Springs; David Hoette,
Montgomery Co. R-l; Andrea
Lindquist, Schuyler R-l; Dallas
Mullock, Worth County; Phillip Ray,
Trenton; Holly Stevens, Albany;
Carrie Teufel, Sweet Springs; Nick
Weiderholt, Stanberry; Andrew
Weldon, Gallatin; Mike Weston,
Joplin; Kenny Youtsey, Gallatin
MONTANA: Amanda McClure,
Missoula; Jeannie Redd, Belgrade
NEBRASKA: Darby Bishop, Battle
r±6
scores. The highlight performance was a new symphonic
piece, "The Light Eternal," in which the band was accompa-
nied by the chorus and convention organist. It marked the
first time the three musical elements of the convention
performed together.
The bands 110 members were selected from 300 taped
auditions submitted in July. Extensive rehearsal was essen-
tial to creating an ensemble from the diverse group of FFA
members assembled from 30 states and Puerto Rico. "This
group came together really well," said Joel Lajoye, of
Hastings, Mich., the bands associate director.
Assisting Englerth and Lajoye were Carrie Beneker, also
from Hastings, and Steve and Shawn Suddeth of
Webberville, Mich.
Creek; Adam Engelman, Diller;
Brady Fritz, Wilber-Clatonia;
Katherine Kastanek, Wilber-
Clatonia; Seth Spicer, Imperial;
Kathlene Soukup, Verdigre
NEVADA: Thomas Gunter, Ruby
Mountain
NEW YORK: Matthew Baideme,
Westfield
NORTH CAROLINA: Jamey Braswell,
Princeton; Michael Holland,
Creswell
OHIO: David Crall, Bucyrus; Douglas
Eichelberger, Crestview; Michael
Prasuhn, Ansonia
OKLAHOMA: Amber Graham,
Fairview; Brooke Hoisington,
Cashion; Stacy Ingram, Caney
Valley; Amanda Seidl, Garber; Carrie
Trentham, Balko
PENNSYLVANIA: Nathan Sanders,
Mifflinburg Area; Gretchen Vought,
Meyersdale
SOUTH CAROLINA: Ashlea Hall,
Abbeville
SOUTH DAKOTA: Michael Oppelt,
Lake Preston; Nicholas Streff,
McCook Central; Danica Uherka,
Wagner
TENNESSEE: Clifford Hutcherson,
Spring Hill
TEXAS: Amy Brockman, Kirbyville;
Samantha Cartwright; Erik Griffith.
Dayton; Alisha Hughes, Kirbyville;
Jenise Judah, Snyder; Kristi
Mahaffey, Pasadena; Corey Mathis,
Gonzales; Trent McKnight,
Throckmorton; Bonnie Meeler,
Anahuac; Andrew Nelson, Day;
Melissa Schrade, Somerset; John
Shaffer, Huffman; Patrick Walko,
Rockdale; Susan Wimberly, Yoakum
VIRGINIA: Tara Sellers, Broadway
WASHINGTON: Christina Boersema,
Lynden; Sarah Gilkerson, Onalaska;
Jess Landgell, Columbia Burbank;
Erin Leahy, Columbia Burbank;
Melissa McGraw. Golendale; Jeri
Norkus, Evergreen; Christopher
Reed, Rainier
WISCONSIN: Jennifer Blake,
Cameron; Theresa Eslinger, Stanley-
Boyd; Katherine Karow, Augusta; Lori
McFarlin, Cochrane-Fountain;
William Meister, Prairie du Chien;
James Melby Waupaca; Mar)' Pockat,
Marion; Matthew Reinders, Johnson
Creek; Robyn Tillou, Ma\-ville
WYOMING: Dayle Butler, Pine Bluffs;
Clark Spencer, Devils Tower; Kiah
Wilkins, Pine Bluffs