For more than 10 years, Issaquah High School band director Patrick Holen has made an effort to keep his students acutely aware of the opportunities that music can bring beyond their prep days.

He has routinely taken his groups to band day at the University of Washington, where they rehearse and perform with the Huskies and get a firsthand look at the flare and panache that define collegiate bands.

“I’ve had many students go to UW and be in the marching band,” Holen said. “We have kids in the WSU band and this year, one at USC.”

With the success of his former students and another sizable and talented group this year, Holen wanted to do something different. So instead of packing his own band to UW for a day that begins at 7 a.m. and lasts through the game, Holen invited the Dawgs to come to their place.

“We were on a waiting list,” he said. “We put schedules together and made sure it worked out. The kids were super exited.”

The costs associated with bussing the Huskies was split by the ASB, booster club and band and gave the Issaquah band a chance to perform in front of their fans with a group many aspire to someday join.

Holen said the chance to get his students interacting with kids who have been in their position is invaluable for their own ability to choose a path to continue music. After the performance at halftime, the Washington section leaders spoke with the high school band and provided insight into being part of such a grand production.

“A lot of kids think they have to be music majors to be in the band,” Holen said. “I think there were only two.”

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