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Director		 Scott Miller
Linda DeJager
Tricia Roedl
Rose Klavekoske
Eileen Heller
Deb Lange
Debbie Battenberg		 note

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL BAND IN THE 

BEAVER DAM CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

The uniqueness of the band program through the years at St. Katharine Drexel School warrants mention.  It has been and still remains one of the strongest, most unique band programs in the state of Wisconsin.

The story of St. Katharine Drexel School Band dates back to 1930 when Rev. Theodore Rohner, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and several mothers gathered to discuss organizing a band at St. Peter’s School.  In September of that year, a twenty-six member band was formed.  Membership fluctuated through the 1950’s and 1960’s but rose to a peak of seventy-eight members in 1974.

St. Peter’s Band was self-supporting through its forty-nine years of existence.  In the early years the band Mothers butchered chickens, baked cakes, knitted and crocheted and sold items in order to raise money to fund the band program.  Later, bake sales, card parties and raffles were held at school.  Because of this hard work, individual fees were kept low so all children who wished to play in band could afford to do so.  The Band Mothers and later the Band Guild, continued to work at many projects in order to pay for the director’s salary, music, instruments, and uniforms.