Watertown Municipal Band

07/23/2025

Thanks to the Current for covering the summer performance series!

While it can be fun to look around for art – sometimes art comes looking for you! With the community’s input, The Watertown Current will feature a weekly

07/21/2025

Thank you to Emelia Enquist for all her work with the band's page. All the musicians bios and more are her work.

07/20/2025

Meet the band: Quintin Rosenthal, trombone

Quintin is going into his junior year at Great Plains Lutheran High School. One of his favorite band experiences was attending WELS band camp at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

"Someone who has taught me a lot about music is my director Eric Martens," Quintin said. "Music is in my life thanks to my mom, who is a music teacher."

07/20/2025

Meet the band: Taylor Bendix, French horn

What do you do outside of community band?
I work at Senior Maxs and will be attending NSU in the fall. I will cheer there as well, and I enjoy running and camping.

What's your favorite musical memory?
The other French horn at my old school and I both messed up the exact same note at the exact same time and it was quite obvious, so we both started laughing while playing. I am sure Mr. Martens did not appreciate it, but both of us could not stop laughing. It was also one of the last times we played together. We did stop laughing eventually and finished the song somehow.

Who are some of your favorite musical figures?
I am not sure who my favorite is, but for people I have played with I would have to say my directors like Mr. Martens and Mr. Niemi. The first people who got me into music were my grandma and my sister.

Why is music a part of your life?
I just enjoy listening to and creating music and I think it is a lot of fun. If I ever am struggling with something and need to take my mind off of it for a few minutes I use music to do that.

07/20/2025

Meet the band: Brandi Fenega, French horn

What do you do outside of community band?
I taught High School chemistry for 15 years as well as working for some fun local businesses including Klein's, the Painted Fox and Happy Tails K-9 Training. I'm also a painter, pysanky artist who finds time to garden supervised by my English Bulldog LouLou.

What's your favorite musical memory?
The first time I ever played in a symphony orchestra!
This one time at band camp the summer of my junior year of high school where I met a sax player from out of state. We did the long distance romance thing until I followed him to college. I guess it's okay though, I eventually married him 30 years ago!

Who are some of your favorite musical figures?
If I had heard Herb Alpert before choosing French horn, i probably would have picked trumpet. I also love Ennio Marricone, the guy that scored all the spaghetti westerns. (Hate the movies, love the music!)

Why is music a part of your life?
Music is an outlet for my feelings, I guess. I always loved playing. Listening to my favorite music always makes my day better.

07/19/2025

Meet the band: Alicia Turnquist, flute

What do you do outside of community band?
I am a Preschool-5th grade elementary music and 5th grade band teacher in Clark. Along with teaching, I also am the assistant cross country coach for our high school cross country team. In my spare time, I am enjoying the summer season and spending time with family, running, and reading.

What's your favorite musical memory?
While I was in high school, I traveled to Europe with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music. While we were in Europe, we traveled to seven different countries performing concerts and taking in the sights and the traditions. It was such a memorable experience making music with other high schoolers from the state. Now, I enjoy getting to watch my students perform for family and friends and be proud of their work and accomplishments as musicians.

Who are some of your favorite musical figures?
I enjoy listening and playing all types of music and can't really say I have a favorite.

Why is music a part of your life?
I grew up in a family where music was an important aspect of our lives. My grandparents and parents supported us in a musical upbringing. I grew up singing and playing piano with my sisters and cousins in the church and at family functions. Music continues to be a large part of my life through teaching, singing/playing at church, and in my own spare time.

07/19/2025

Meet the band: Angie Eickmeyer, French horn

What do you do outside of community band?
My husband, Dave, and I have two grown daughters (both married and living in Sioux Falls) and a German shepherd. I work at Persona as executive assistant to the CEO in addition to handling benefits and payroll. My primary instrument is piano, and I am heavily involved in planning and playing for worship at Hosanna Lutheran..

What's your favorite musical memory?
I loved playing in the Augustana College Brass Choir, particularly our European tour where we were a part of Memorial Day services at the US military cemetery near Margraten, the Netherlands. Great music, great friendships, and great experiences!

Who are some of your favorite musical figures?
Doug Carpenter (my director at WHS and for my first 20+ years in this band) and Harry Krueger ("Doc") at Augustana were both so dear to me and are so missed! They helped me grow not only as a musician but as a person.

Why is music a part of your life?
How could it not be? My job is what I do, but music is who I am!

07/19/2025

Meet the band: Lydia Schleusener, trumpet

Lydia works at the Early Childhood Center at St. Martin's during the summer. She is the oldest of 5 siblings and loves baking and cooking in her free time.

Lydia's favorite musical memory is doing duets with Emily Moritz. Her favorite musical figure is Louis Armstrong.

"Music is a part of my life because it makes me happy," Lydia said.

07/19/2025

Meet the band: Tori Heier, French horn

What do you do outside of community band?
I work as an occupational therapist at Prairie Lakes. My hobbies include spending time with family/friends, traveling, knitting and cross stitching.

What's your favorite musical memory?
My favorite musical memories stem from playing in the Pride of the Dakotas and pep band at SDSU!

Who are some of your favorite musical figures?
My band directors from high school and college are the reason I’m still playing!

Why is music a part of your life?
My parents encouraged me to learn to play an instrument at a young age and I’ve enjoyed it ever since!

07/19/2025

Meet the band: Garrett Buchanan, tuba

What do you do outside of community band?
I am the 5th-6th grade band director at Watertown Intermediate School. I just finished my 4th year here. For hobbies I like to go fishing, play video games, and go to Lake Poinsette with my extended family.

What's your favorite musical memory?
My favorite musical memory was performing David Maslanka’s Symphony # 4 during my undergrad.

Who are some of your favorite musical figures?
My favorite composers are Randall Standridge, Leonard Bernstein, John Mackey, and Gustav Holst. I also love listening to the President’s Own Marine Band.

Why is music a part of your life?
Music is a part of my life because I had an amazing band and choir teacher in high school who made a difference.

07/17/2025

This Sunday at 7:30!

Watertown Community Band to Conclude Summer Season with "Can't Stop the Beat" Concert

https://www.mykxlg.com/news/local/watertown-community-band-to-conclude-summer-season-with-cant-stop-the-beat-concert/article_a3a75f2c-9826-4b82-8183-bca2b78ae94c.html

07/16/2025

Our last concert of the summer is this Sunday at 7:30 p.m.! You'll hear pop, dance, and musical theatre tunes from across the decades. There is truly something for everyone in this lineup!