Student Life

OHS Band Brings Music to Life

Kayf Ali, Writer

November 18, 2025

On November 18, at 7:00pm in the Wegner Performing Arts Auditorium, the Owatonna high school Music Department presents the fall band concert, featuring the huskies, varsity and concert bands. The Owatonna High School Fall All-Band concert is a special yearly event that brings together every band in the music program. From beginners to high school music prodigies, everyone in band has worked hard to be where they are now.

This concert will feature performances from all of the Owatonna huskies bands . Admission is free, which makes it a fun and amazing event for families, friends, and the Owatonna community members to attend and support local student musicians. This concert is to show how the Huskies have grown over time, starting from learning simple notes and rhythms to performing full, expressive musical pieces with great confidence.

The day of the concert band is practicing during band class to make sure they are all ready for the concert. (Josh Walerius)

The Owatonna High School All-Band Concert is one of the most exciting music events of the school year. This long standing tradition brings together every level of the band program from beginning band to the high school concert and symphonic bands to perform as one on the big stage. The event began many years ago as a way to showcase how students grow as musicians, and today it continues to show that legacy and community. Junior Lauren Hetting said, “I really enjoy playing Concert Band. I love seeing how far all of us have come and it’s crazy to see all the change.”

Band Director Peter Guenther added “. It is a celebration of hard work, dedication, and practice. I take great pride in putting excellence on the stage. I tell my students that great music and excellence are intentional. Quality performance isn’t an accident. The students here at OHS are full of humility and have high expectations in music.”

Each group performs pieces that fit their skill level and bring energy to the stage from lively marches, themes, and songs; the younger students bring excitement and enthusiasm, while the older students demonstrate confidence and creativity. Sophomore Idella Simon shared, “I am looking forward to playing in front of an audience and listening to the other bands.”

The All-Band Concert remains a sensational celebration of growth, teamwork, and love in Owatonna.

About the Contributors

Kayf Ali, Writer

Kayf Ali is a Sophomore here at Owatonna High School. This is Ali’s first year in Magnet. Outside of magnet Ali enjoys hanging out with friends, playing tennis and going out for runs. She is involved in tennis, student council, Magnet and RAD. She plans on graduating Highschool then wants to attend Stanford, to do their three year undergraduate program, and then do their law school. Ali joined magnet to better her writing skills, meet new people and to try something new at OHS.

Morgan Hougas, Editor

Morgan Hougas is a junior at Owatonna High School. This is her first year on Magnet staff. Hougas joined Magnet this year because she likes being included academic wise. Hougas is involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Thriving Minds and Link Crew. Outside of school Hougas works at Scooters Coffee which she does after school. Hougas wants to learn how to write better and take cool photos while being in Magnet. After high school Hougas wants to go college somewhere close to home yet not too far away and wants to study marketing. A fun fact about Hougas is that she almost went blind in her left eye. She is excited for this year with the Magnet staff and what the year brings.

Josh Walerius, Photographer in Chief

Josh Walerius is a senior at Owatonna High School. This is Walerius’s first year in Magnet. Walerius decided to join Magnet due to wanting to gain experience in the photography field; and he had an extra study hall he wanted to get out of. Walerius is involved with Yearbook, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and National Honor Society. After high school, Walerius hopes to attend Riverland to gain his associates degree before possibly transferring to university to continue pursuing photography. Walerius recently traveled to Hawaii and hopes to travel to Ibiza in the future. Along with being heavily involved with photography, Walerius likes to listen to Drake. Out of every song by Drake, his favorite came out to be Come Through or Over My Dead Body.