Cody School Bands Wrap Up School Year In City Park
A Look Back at this Year’s Achievements
On Tuesday, May 19, the Cody High School Bronc Band and the Cody Middle School Band came together for an end-of-year concert at Cody City Park. The concert drew in a large crowd despite the colder weather to enjoy a couple of hours of music.
The set consisted of many pieces that showcased the students’ hard work including “Contents Under Pressure,” by Vince Gassi, performed by the Cody Middle School Jazz Band, “Smoke on the Water,” by Paul Murtha, performed by the Cody Middle School Beginning Band and “Caravan,” by John Wasson, performed by Cody High School Jazz Band.
Mr. French, the director of the Cody High School band who helped to put on this final concert said, “I am proud of the kids for being able to respond in such a different venue. Playing in City Park is totally different than playing in an auditorium.”
“We try to be ambassadors of our school,” French said. “We try to be a big team player in the community. I think I would like the community to attend more of our non-athletic events . . . our real quality and the finesse of our program is in the auditorium, when we’re doing more focused and emotional music.”
Dean Werbelow, a senior, Cody High School Bronc Band drum leader and top drummer for the All-State band two years in a row, said his thanks to the community of supporters, and offered encouragement for the younger generation of Cody band students.
“I am always appreciative when people show up, even when we do small combos,” Werbelow said.
“And I hope that they [future Cody High band students] see the emotion. If you’re not having fun and showing emotion, then you’re not going to play well. When I am happy and I’m making goofy faces, I play phenomenally.”
“Whether you want to or not, those middle school kids look up to you,” French said to his high school band. “They really want to be like you, and that’s what it’s all about . . . These kids are the future of our program.”
This school year, the Cody High School Bronc Band placed first in the state for the first time, a major feat for the students. With the 2025 state championship, the high marks that the band received in competitions and the “fun, musical moments” they had, the Jazz concert in City Park was a heart-felt way to end another successful band school year.
Ava Junker
Cody Journal Journalist
Ava Junker is a student at the University of Wyoming pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism. Growing up and moving around as a military brat, her family finally settled in Cody, Wyoming where she graduated from Cody High School. Since then, she has worked as the Digital Editor-in-chief for the university’s paper, “The Branding Iron,” and is now a journalist for our journal.
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