Hastings College 2011 Melody Round-Up parade results

(Hastings, Neb.) - The 60th annual Melody Round-Up Parade in downtown Hastings took place Saturday, September 24, at 10 a.m. The parade included several marching bands from Nebraska high schools and junior high schools and the Hastings College Marching Band. Melody Round-Up is the official Homecoming parade for Hastings College.
Judges for the marching band competition were Mr. Louie Eckhardt of Grand Island and Mr. Dan Sodomka of Aurora.
Three awards were presented: Outstanding Drum Major (chosen from among all bands), Outstanding Auxiliary/Flag Corps and Outstanding Band. Winners received the awards during a special presentation at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at Dutton-Lainson Plaza, 2nd Street and St. Joseph Avenue.
Awards and recipients are as follows:
Outstanding Auxiliary
Hastings Senior High School/Class AA
St. Cecilia High School, Class C
Deshler High School, Class D
Outstanding Drum Major
Torey Kranau and Lauren Reiman – Blue Hill High School
Outstanding Bands
Hastings Senior High School/Class AA
Hastings St. Cecilia/Class C
Deshler High School/Class D


A spirit of excellence has long been the hallmark of the Hastings College music experience. Hastings College students and faculty have been making music from the beginning of the College in 1882. Hastings College is recognized as a National Liberal Arts College in the U.S. News and World Report annual “America’s Best Colleges” issue and a Best Midwestern College by Princeton Review. The Hastings College Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and also was named an All-Steinway School, one of only 82 worldwide.
The Department of Music offers a full range of vocal and instrumental opportunities for all Hastings College students. Major ensembles and small groups travel regularly, making special appearances at music conferences, schools, and churches. Vocal ensembles at Hastings College include the renowned Hastings College Choir, Men’s Chorus, HC Singers (treble voices), Spectrum vocal chamber ensembles, along with other special smaller groups. Instrumental ensembles include the Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Band; Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Chamber Orchestra, Brass, and Percussion Ensembles, and the Bell Choir. The department serves as the permanent residence of the South Central Nebraska Children’s Chorale; the Nebraska State High School Honor Choir, Band, and Orchestra; and the Hastings Symphony Orchestra.
Music students can earn a Bachelor of Music degree with majors in applied performance, music education, and piano pedagogy. A Bachelor of Arts degree in music with an emphasis in performance, elementary education, music history or sacred music is also available. Hastings College offers a Master of Arts in Teaching with emphasis in music. In addition, the department sponsors student chapters of Sigma Alpha Iota, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Music Educators National Conference, and Music Teachers National Association.

Blue Hill Band Participated in Melody Round up in Hastings

The 59th annual Hastings College Melody Round-Up Parade was held Saturday morning in downtown Hastings. The parade included marching bands, floats by Hastings College organizations, antique and classic cars and the 2010 Hastings College Homecoming royalty.The parade route began at the intersection of Fourth Street and Colorado Avenue, then proceed west on Fourth Street to Lincoln Avenue, south on Lincoln Avenue to Second Street, and east on Second Street to Kansas Avenue. Participating bands included: Hastings High School, Holdrege High School, Doniphan-Trumbull High School, Blue Hill High School, Hastings St. Cecilia, Superior High School, Kenesaw High School, Kearney Catholic High School, Sandy Creek High School, St. Paul High School, Deshler High School, Wilcox-Hildreth High School, Harvard Junior/Senior High School, Hampton Junior/Senior High School, Giltner Public School, Greeley-Wolbach High School, Red Cloud Junior/Senior High School, Hastings College, Holdrege Middle School and Doniphan Junior High. Bands were evaluated by judges and awarded divisional ratings and awards. Winners received awards during a special presentation at 11:30 a.m. at Dutton-Lainson Plaza, Second Street and St. Joseph Avenue. Judges for the marching band competition were Marc LaChance, professor of music at Hastings College, and Phil Parker, adjunct professor of music at Hastings College. Director of the Blue Hill Band is l Bill McMurtry.