HMB e-News
Husky Band in Alaska: A new tradition
HMB members in Anchorage
If you’re up in Anchorage over the Fourth of July holiday, you’re liable to hear something surprising: the Husky Band!
This summer will mark the fourth consecutive year that members of the Husky Band have joined with members of the Anchorage Community Band to spread a little Husky fever through the 49th state and do a little musical outreach, HMB style!
In 2013, avid Husky Band supporter—and Anchorage resident—Sheila Fall approached HMB director Brad McDavid with the idea of sending a few band members up to help beef up their community band for the Anchorage Fourth of July parade. Through Sheila’s efforts, along with the help of some local anchorage businesses, ten students were able to make the trip, with airfare and meals included.
The support and enthusiasm of the Husky Band players made such an impact the first year, Sheila and the city of Anchorage have worked diligently to bring up a contingent of HMB members for a fourth straight year. The students arrive early enough to join the community band for a few rehearsals, led by one of the HMB drum majors. They march in the parade as part of the community band, then close out the festivities with an HMB-only performance at the fairgrounds. But of course it’s not all work! Sheila sees to it that the students get plenty of sightseeing (featuring moose, mountains, glaciers, hot-tubbing and more!), and she hosts the students at her home outside of Anchorage where the HMB squad can enjoy her beautiful view of the Alaskan wild!
Sheila states, “We are so excited that members of the Husky Band will be back to Alaska! Our local musicians love the enthusiasm and energy they bring to our band. The Huskies’ lively, fun performance following the parade is a highlight of Anchorage’s Fourth of July event. Thank you Brad and all the ‘Alaska’ Huskies for making this special opportunity available to us! We also welcome Husky alumni and friends to join us. Information is coming soon to the Red, White and Blue Crew Marching Band Facebook page. Go Dawgs!”
HMB members having fun in Alaska
HMB member Bonnie Henwood, who participated the second year, recalls “Going up to Alaska and staying with Sheila was a fantastic experience. It was fun getting to work with a community band of all ages and teach them some of our Husky Band style. One day, Sheila took us sightseeing to a glacier and a wildlife park, and we finished off the day with the great Flattop hike with an amazing view. For the Fourth of July parade, we got all decorated and marched along with the community band. At the end of the parade, we played some of our classic Husky Band songs for an excited crowd. Overall it was an incredible experience, and Sheila was the friendliest host!”
Thanks to die-hard Husky band fan Sheila Fall and the city of Anchorage for providing this opportunity for our members. This is one tradition the students hope will live on for years to come!
