Alta Mayhugh|Williston Herald Virgil Syverson of Williston directs the city band during a rehearsal on May 28. Syverson is conducting his final outdoor concert on Thursday.
Syverson is conducting his final outdoor concert performance at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday on the stage named after him in Williston's Harmon Park -- the Virgil Syverson Performance Center. Concert organizers say Williston Mayor Ward Koeser and North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven plan attend and a program before the concert is set to begin sometime around 7 p.m.
Syverson, 92, is retiring from the city band and said it's time for "new blood" to take over in the conductor's role.
"I thought it was about time to get someone fresher. It gets to the point you feel you've done what you can, what you want to do. It's a hard decision to make, but I thought it was the appropriate time, considering my age," he said quietly.
Syverson has a lengthy music history in Williston and beyond. He served as band director at Williston High School from 1947-86. In 1951, he organized and directed the Williston Cowboys Drum and Bugle Corps. He stayed with the corps until 2005, having served for 54 years. He's been the director of the city band since 1967. Syverson was the band and choir director at the high school in Tracy, Minn., while his wife, Margaret, taught home economics in 1946. He graduated in 1941 from Concordia College in Moorhead with a degree in music and English. He was the student director of the Concordia band during his senior year.
He taught for three months in Halstad, Minn., before he enlisting in the U.S. Army. Syverson served in the Army for more than four years, with 21 months overseas and obtaining the rank of first lieutenant.
He's received many honors and awards for his musical endeavors. Among those are induction into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame at Syracuse, N.Y., in 2001; honorary conductor of the Prairie Winds Symphonic Band from Canada, the Williston Band Day guest band, 2009 and a Citation of Excellence award by the National Band Association.
Syverson is reluctant to leave the city band and appreciates the support and dedication from its members, some of whom played for him in the high school band.
"It's been a lot of fun, a lot of enjoyment. It's gonna be a letdown, yes," Syverson said of leaving the band.
The concert is to include the musical selections "Emblem of the Unity March," "Themes Like Old Times" and a few marches, Syverson said.
He doesn't have plans yet after he retires.
"I haven't quite decided, I'm just going to relax and play it by ear," he said.
Syverson also plans to direct the city band at 7:30 p.m. on July 30 at Williston's Bethel Lutheran Home in conjunction with its ice cream social.
Comments
De Lane Martinez wrote on Jul 23, 2009 11:31 PM:
LYLE SORUM wrote on Jul 23, 2009 9:41 PM:
Although we left Williston in 1973 my son David brings your name up when he recalls his years at Williston H.S He tells the story of how he wanted to play the trumpet, but you convinced him to play the French Horn. Both Dave and Dianne fondly remember the preparation for concerts and especially Band Day. Thank you for your meny years of great service to the city of Williston. "
Jim Irgens wrote on Jul 23, 2009 6:04 PM:
Jim Irgens (1955-1962) "
Larry Larsen wrote on Jul 23, 2009 8:23 AM:
I remember Friday and Saturday winter nights and varsity basketball games in the Field House.
I would often stand near you and the Pep Band as I did “crowd control.”
You were always impeccably dressed, completely in control and totally professional in how you treated and handled your musical pupils.
I was in awe and you were a mentor to many young teachers including myself. "
Omer Durfee Ph.D. wrote on Jul 22, 2009 10:51 PM:
Omer Durfee, Ph.D.
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin "