Two Harbors students prepare for annual Battle of the Bands

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The countdown has begun for the third annual Two Harbors High School Battle of the Bands Monday.

Students have been getting ready and practicing for the big performance at 7 p.m. Monday in the THHS auditorium. Senior Justin Bohrer said he will be performing in four bands for the event and has been lending an ear to a few others. Bohrer has been playing the guitar for seven years. “I’m looking forward to performing in front of a large crowd again,” he said.

Senior Mason Schraufnagel has an especially busy role during the battle. Schraufnagel is the program director, stage manager, and sound director. Currently, Schraufnagel deejays and does sound work for weddings, Heritage Days, and all the THHS dances as well as for other area schools. He said he’s expecting a big crowd—about three quarters of the auditorium was full last year. Schraufnagel said he’s looking forward to all of the acts. “The first half will be all acoustic,” he said. “The second half will feature electric, metal, reggae, and soft swing music.”

Duluth singer-songwriter and THHS alum Hannah Rey will also be performing. “It’s really great to have her come and play with us,” said Bohrer.

Both Bohrer and Schraufnagel took part in the first Battle of the Bands in 2009. Schraufnagel was the Master of Ceremonies. Bohrer said the idea for the event was a collaborative one between him, the TTHS band director Janet MacDonald and THHS alum Amber Fletcher. “After that, everyone started getting together and we had a show,” he said.

Both students say that lots of bands form specifically for this event through knowing each other in band, choir, and jazz band classes. A total of 17 acts will be performed this year.

Bohrer says his experience playing in a band and participating in jazz band has helped him throughout the years, and made him a well-rounded musician. “It really helped when I had to go to auditions,” he said. Bohrer will be going to Moorehead State University next fall for music performance.

Schraufnagel will be going to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. He plans to major in political science and economics. But he says that he will continue to make music. “I’m not going to stop playing,” he said.

“Music sticks with you throughout your life,” said Bohrer.

The community is welcome to attend the battle of the bands. Admission is $5.

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