Submitted photo John Voit teaches music and band to students in the Minneota School District and St. Edward’s Catholic School

John Voit’s lifelong interest in music became a career, one that’s centered around the Minneota School District.

He’s in his 30th year of directing Minneota’s school band program. His days always involve variety; with a combination of lessons, practice sessions, music classes and supervision of a study hall.

Voit is originally from Mahnomen in northwestern Minnesota. He began his college years at the University of Minnesota Morris with plans to specialize in math education and elementary education. His interest in the arts led him to change his content-related major from math to music.

“I’ve been interested in the arts all my life,” Voit said. “I was someone who wanted to be involved in the activities my school offered. I’d show up at every sports event to play in the pep band.”

His interest has continued throughout his years of music education in Minneota. Besides directing the school program, he takes part in community activities such as the Route 68 jazz band, the Lake Benton Opera House, the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra, the Marshall City Band and the praise band at his church.

“I’ve stayed here because I’ve always liked both the job and the town,” he said. “I enjoy the quietness and also the community spirit. In rural towns people encourage each other to get involved in the community, and that includes the arts. We have everyone from dentists to farmers who take part in our bands.”

As a band instructor, Voit’s first step with each student is helping to select an instrument when they enter fifth grade.

He generally lets them choose the instrument that’s most appealing, with the idea that it’s usually a good beginning to go with a first choice. The only instrument that requires some limitation on the number of performers is drums.

About half of all students who begin band lessons in fifth grade continue with the program all the way through high school.

Success depends only partly on natural ability with music. Often the difference in becoming a first-rate high school performer centers around a sustained daily effort.

“The biggest factor is whether or not they’re willing to invest the time when it comes to practice at home,” Voit said. “Some students are very motivated. For others it takes some encouragement in the middle grades and I try to provide that. It also helps if they get positive reinforcement from their parents and peers.”

He works with middle school students from both Minneota Public and St. Edward Catholic schools. A combined band performs at programs in both locations.

The COVID pandemic meant cancellation of some middle school and high school events in the past year, but the school district is planning a spring high school concert for both band and choir.

The choir will perform in the school gym to a limited audience. The band will follow outdoors to allow for more spectators. Both sets of musicians will socially distance as recommended by health officials.

“We’re happy to have a concert on the schedule,” Voit said. “It will feature a combination of lighter, lively music with selections such as an Aladdin medley and the Blues Brothers.”

He said band is an activity in which rewards become greater as a student progresses through the program. He enjoys seeing students make progress, especially the huge difference between an absolute beginner in fifth grade and more experienced middle school performers.

He said he sees students reach new heights on a daily basis, as they master more difficult music selections and develop more skill with the finer points of an instrument.

Besides listening to students at each lesson, Voit often accompanies them using an antique valve trombone. It’s his instrument of choice for lessons because he’s a brass specialist. It also has a good compatibility with almost any instrument a student might play.

“It’s always rewarding when I see them grow and succeed,” he said. “It’s a long, steady growth process from when they first pick up an instrument until they’re strong players in high school. It’s more than just the music. Success in band also contributes to their personal growth and self-confidence.”

Several of Voit’s seniors in his 2020-21 Minneota band say they’ve recommended the program to younger students as a way to develop a talent and to be part of a group effort.

“Band has been a great part of high school for me,” said student Dylan DeSmet. “We get good opportunities to perform in different venues and to share our talent with the community.”

Band members also noted that consistent effort over the years is worth it when they see success, first in their earliest middle school concerts and later as high school band program leaders.

“There’s a good balance with band,” said student Katie Walerius. “We’re very serious about being as good as possible, but we also have fun. We enjoy making the effort.”

“Our director relates to each of as individuals, not just as musicians,” said student Raeann Bruner. “He knows how to bring out the best in all of us. It adds up when we succeed as a group.”