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Fergus Falls siblings to share once-in-a-lifetime experience [UPDATED]
Published 10:51am Wednesday, January 9, 2013 Updated 10:51am Wednesday, January 9, 2013It’s not rare for siblings to follow in the elder’s footsteps, except when it comes to performing in an event for the president of the United States.
Seth Stein is preparing for his adventure to our nation’s capitol to perform in the Fergus Falls High School Marching Band’s performance in President Barack Obama’s Presidential Inauguration Parade on January 21.
A junior this year, Seth has been in the marching band since his freshman year. He said he is both thrilled and nervous for the event.
“I’m really really excited,” Seth said. “But then I started thinking how much work it was going to be, and a how nerve wracking it was going to be marching in front of the president.”
To calm his nerves, Seth said he’s been thinking about all the kids who did it last time.
“If they can do it, I can do it,” Seth said.
Seth added that the marching band is looking good in the practices.
“I’m feeling good about it, and that helps me calm down a little bit,” Seth said.
Seth is not alone with being a little nervous. In 2009, his sister Tracy, who is helping out with the band and is attending Bemidji State University, was in the parade four years ago.
“I was really nervous,” Tracy said. “But I was really excited though.”
Tracy has offered her brother some advice on what to expect for the parade.
“Dress warm,” Tracy said with a laugh.
Tracy shared her initial memory of finding out the marching band would be performing in the 2009 parade.
“I remember being told and then everyone cheering,” Tracy said. “Then the whole flurry of getting ready to go was exciting.”
Tracy said it was exciting when she went, especially when she saw the president.
“That’s when I really got nervous,” Tracy said.
Tracy said she is really happy that her brother gets to go and perform this time around.
“I went on the fan bus,” Seth said of the ’09 trip. “I didn’t get to march or anything.”
Tracy will not be going along this time around, but said it is fun working and seeing the “behind the scenes” aspect of the preparations.
Tracy herself was in the marching band through out her high school years.
“I want to go into being a band director,” Tracy said. “So I wanted to do as many music things as I could.”
“And I watched her at all of the parades and wanted to do it,” Seth added. He said he was inspired to join the marching band by his sister.
They said it’s an honor for it being the second time for the Fergus Falls Marching Band to be a part of the event.
“He (Obama) must have liked us,” Tracy said with a laugh.
The marching band will have one more practice on Saturday in town and one more at their hotel in Pennsylvania.
