The Dell Rapids middle school band numbers will see a significant increase this coming school year.  Dell Rapids Middle School Principal Fran Ruesink reported that 52 fifth graders were going out for band this year during the Dell Rapids School Board regular meeting on Monday, August 14th.

Ruesink said, “Bryan Timperley has been pretty busy this summer.  He’s been giving free lessons to a lot of kids.  Last spring he worked pretty hard at opening the door and getting kids acclimated and getting them introduced to instruments.”

The 5th and 6th grade band will have a total of 82 students this year with 30 sixth grade students joining the 52 fifth grade students.  That number is up 20 students from the previous year.  Last year there were 40 fifth grade students and 22 sixth grade students.

“It’s a testament to his character,” said Dell Rapids School Board President Matt Weiland.

Ruesink also mentioned that due the large number of students that will be participating in band this year, there is still more work to be done to get lessons scheduled.

“We’re trying to get the lessons and everything in the morning.  It might bump up a little bit into the afternoon.  There’s just a lot of kids, and he’s got to see them.  It’s a good problem,” said Ruesink.