INTERVIEW: Kristi Vetter, Director of Bands at Beloit High School

Bowen Boyack of KBN: What inspired your Musical Selections this year?

Kristi Vetter: Our marching band show was "The Greatest Show". The movie was still popular at the time and it was fun to put it all together on the field. I have several seniors who could blow out the solos really well. It's fun to hear the spectators sing along to the tunes!

BB: What Marching Competitions and festivals did you and your band go to this marching season?

KV: We do not go to marching band competitions. Our budget is tight and I feel the money is better spent on updating school equipment and purchasing quality band literature for large groups, chamber groups, and solo/ensemble opportunities.

BB: Tell me about the upcoming trips you will be taking within the next 3-4 years.

KV: Our concert band will be going to Nashville in March of 2020. In the past, we have performed on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium, which is the original Grand Ole Opry and called the Mother Church of Country Music. Last trip, we performed on the courtyard of the current Opry. 

BB: What Concert Band repertoire are you playing this year? When are your upcoming performances?

KV: For concert band, we are working on Chorale and Shaker Dance and Holst's First Suite in E-flat. Even though we're a small school (3A), I have All-State musicians and top notch players who can beautifully perform the solo areas on these selections. We have large group contest in early April and our spring concert is at the beginning of May. I'm still looking for additional selections to round out our spring concert. 

BB: Looking forward to 2019, any plans you would like to share?

KV: I'm blessed to live in a community that appreciates the arts. As a small school, we really shouldn't be able to play the quality literature that I put in front of the kids, but because of their own expectations, we can perform well-known band tunes. I just look forward to bigger and better things!

Best of luck to the BHS Bands this year and in the upcoming years.