Irondale band wows at Big Cat Field

Exciting Thursday night scene at our Big Cat Stadium (Del Sarlette photos, thanks)

Musicianship with choreography: Irondale Marching Knights

Spectacular: that describes the scene at Big Cat Field that unfolded Thursday night. This was not sports. We put sports on such a pedestal for young people. It is totally safe to be a fan of football compared to being a young person out on the field. But what about music? Yes a totally safe and fulfilling endeavor. So music and performance were the order of the night on Thursday. Once again the Irondale marching band graced Motown in summer with its presence. This always includes a performance that is not totally formal. But it is boffo to view anyway. It's an "exhibition" where the public is invited but there might be some rough edges. In some respects it is a continuation of their rehearsing. 

But, a hearty thanks to Irondale for setting aside a time where the kids can really perform for the public. That's even if it's a semi-rehearsal. 

I thank a friend for making sure I knew about this year's event. I don't think the promo was very good. I don't think there was an item in the commercial media or flyers posted around town. I could be wrong but I did not see this. The Irondale band was not seeking a large public turnout. Their visit to Morris is like a "camp" enabling them to polish their competitive performance away from the distractions of home. 

These are suburban Twin Cities families. So they get a taste of our totally rural setting. You look to the east from Big Cat and it's pretty wild. We hear coyotes from out there at night. The bypass highway breaks up the landscape. Because of the highway we can sometimes get treated to the sound of "Jake brakes." 

There's a very nice townhome development out there. I think the traffic noise would bother me if I lived there. There was no development there when I was  kid. Oh, and the Skyview buildings also, two of them. The biking/walking trail goes right past. There was no biking/walking trail when I was a kid. Where did we take our walks? 

Back when I was young it was actually unusual for someone to take a lengthy walk for exercise. People might think you were suspicious if you did. And you could expect certain people to pull up and say "you need a lift?" Bless them but sometimes we just wanted the exercise, the aerobic activity. 

And of course no one heard the word "aerobic" then. Just like we never heard the term "athletic shoes." Shoes for intense exercise were simply called "tennis shoes." Show up for church in those and you might be asked to leave! Yes I'm surprised that the so-called "tennis shoes" were considered so low-class. What's wrong with simply wearing a type of shoe that gives your feet good support? 

Back then you'd get in trouble trying to wear "blue jeans" to school. I laugh to recall that. For some reason the older folks decided that blue jeans were a symbol of rebellion. Maybe this came from certain motorcycle-themed movies. Ah the influence of pop culture. 

I am amazed as I think back to how hard it was for boys to find "pants" that would be seen as acceptable. Wear "dress slacks" and you'd be teased for "dressing up." Sheesh. The purpose of pants is simply to cover your legs. Why the big pregnant issue? I remember getting "corduroys" to wear. We could sneak those through. 

But how ridiculous: the purpose of pants or "trousers" is simply to cover your legs. Our school parents and elders kept close watch lest we might get a little "rebellious" or disrespectful. It was important to respect our elders and leaders as in realizing the importance of "fighting communism" in Vietnam. 

The U.S. involvement in Vietnam was one of the biggest moral abominations of all time. But we didn't dare try to wear jeans to school. I think the prohibition ended before I finished high school. I won't say "graduated from high school" because I probably should not have been allowed to graduate. I did of course.

Irondale Marching Knights

The Irondale Marching Knights represent the entire Mounds View School District 621 and includes students from both Irondale and Mounds View High Schools. The marching band consists of three sections: hornline, drumline and color guard. The Knights typically perform in parades May through August and compete in field shows held on football fields at various locations throughout the region in September-October. 

The assemblage that we saw Thursday is a dynamic performance ensemble that combines music, movement and visual effects all on a football field. 

Irondale has been named a finalist and champion at some of the most prestigious events in the area. They are also the 2021, 2022 and 2023 reigning Class AAA Minnesota State Marching Band champion. The kids make new friends and unforgettable memories all while becoming more responsible, organized and time-efficient. 

Does the Morris area have anything like this for high school-age kids in summer? I'm not aware of it. Our kids sure do attend sports camps. Morris had marching band when I was in school. Not saying it would be practical to bring it back. Times are different. But how about an ensemble of instrumentalists who could perform at East Side Park on a weekly basis? Would that be asking too much? 

It's hard to get anything going in Morris. Minnewaska has its "Showstoppers." In Morris we just "stop." Forget the old Prairie Pioneer Days. It was too much trouble. PPD exists in my dreams.

Lights on at Big Cat Stadium. This was better than football!

You can't beat this entertainment

Addendum: You know what? Even "corduroys" were not necessarily neutral from people making judgments. I share this because I now remember a review of a Maynard Ferguson concert at the old Met Sports Center in the '70s. I was there incidentally. Post-concert there was a review in Star Tribune by a guy who snarkily noted that so many audience members were "high school trumpet players wearing corduroys." Why on earth was it so essential to make the wardrobe reference? Writer was hinting that these were upscale kids. His reference was pejorative, subtly yes but pejorative. I can sniff that out anytime. You know what came along to solve the whole "pants" problem? "Dockers!"

 

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com