EL PASO, Ill (WMBD) -- We kick off our 2025 marching band series with the El Paso Gridley Titans marching band -- where this group is quickly growing.

From just a little over 20 students Hannah Kurz's freshmen year to over 50 now in her senior year, more students at El Paso Gridley are saying yes to marching band.

"The atmosphere here is closer than any other extracurricular I've been a part of," Kurz, the head drum major of the marching band said.

"I focus a lot on culture and just making band a place that everyone's welcome," El Paso Gridley 5th through 12th grade band director Emma Wierenga said. "I really just get people into the program. I have them join our family and I teach them music."

Wierenga said this year's group features a lot of eager freshmen and sophomores.

"I've done

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