Local high school musicians participate in 23rd Annual Masonic All-star Marching Band

One Perkins County High School and two Wallace High School students were among 273 high school students from across Nebraska who participated in the 23rd Annual Masonic All-Star Marching Band, which performed Saturday, June 3 during Shrine Bowl festivities in Kearney. 

Participating were Nathan Kemling, son of Troy and Jonette Kemling; Jerad Phillips, son of Joel and Mickey Phillips; and Hannah Sullivan, daughter of Doug and Michelle Sullivan.

The band members devoted four days of intense practice starting May 30, to learn the music, marching steps and field formations. The band gave their first public performance with a public concert at Harmon Park on Friday evening, June 2. 

The band led the Shrine Bowl Parade down Kearney’s Central and First Avenues on Saturday morning, and performed the pre-game National Anthem and during half-time of the 59th Annual Shrine Bowl football game at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium on Foster Field at the University of Nebraska Kearney. 

The band members were hosted by the Masons of Nebraska, and were directed by Brad Weber, retired band director from Wayne High School, currently instructor of percussion at Wayne State College; Dan Sodomka, band director at Aurora High School; and Dr. Dave Bohnert, director of bands at Wayne State College. 

Kemling received a scholarship from Imperial Chapter OES; Phillips received a scholarship from Wallace Lodge; Sullivan received a scholarship from Wallace Lodge. The scholarships covered the cost of the camp.

Coupled with hard work, the members also participated in a pool party, bowling, and a dance. 

Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world and is based on the lessons of living a life of brotherhood and high moral standards as portrayed symbolically in the work of stone masons who built the cathedrals, abbeys and castles of Europe.