On the move again…
To the
Sandburg
Middle School
2400 Sandburg Lane,
Golden Valley
The Robbinsdale
City Band (both the Concert Band and the Marching Band) has moved once
again. Since it’s inception
as an adult concert band in 1969 the concert band (and the marching band) has moved six times. Starting out on the third floor of the
old Robbinsdale Fire department, the band rehearsed
and marched up and down local streets near the Hubbard Avenue building for
decades. When the old building was
converted to a transit we began our nomadic life with a move to the old Robbinsdale Senior High School where we had ample storage
space and a nice rehearsal space.
Parking was a little distant but we didn’t have to climb three flights
of stairs!
In 2001, to make room for a growing school
population we moved to what we hoped would be a space of our own at the Robbinsdale Area Community Education Center (the old Robbinsdale Junior High School) on Regent and 42nd
avenues. We inherited the band
room without any need to share our space.
We cleaned, painted, constructed shelving and decorated – a home of our
own! It was a great time until the
school was sold for development of multi-unit housing.
In the fall of 2004 we said goodbye to our
own band room and moved temporarily to the Vocal Room at Hosterman
Junior High in New Hope. We didn’t
have much space so much of our lesser used equipment
and uniforms went to storage. The
vocal room was a little cramped for the concert band, but we had a home and
parking was just out the door.
In 2005 we moved back to our previous space
in the band room at the "old" Robbinsdale
High School. However, we shared
our space with the Spanish Emersion School and had to store our equipment
downstairs at the far end of the building. Still, it was nice having sufficient rehearsal space and a
big stage for some of our special concerts.
2009 finds us at Sandburg Middle School at
2400 Sandburg Lane, in Golden Valley.
Not far from Byerlys in Golden Valley and just
north of Honeywell off Douglas Drive.
We are in the band room (room 8) with our own storage area just off the
band room. We do not expect to
share the space with anyone, although we are not planning on any decorating
this time. The room is slightly
smaller than the high school band room but the risers are carpeted and the
acoustics are great! Parking is
less convenient as we have to park across the street from the front entrance
(west side) and walk almost the entire width of the school from the front door
to the band room, which is down several steps. (You’ll end up walking a couple of hundred yards from your
car to the band room!) There are
exit doors on the east side close to the band room but the space is all
designated as a fire lane and blocked off from public access.
This time we had professional movers relocate
our equipment, shelving and music files.
The City of Robbinsdale picked up the
tab. Thanks!
The “NEW” band room at
Sandburg Middle School
Our first rehearsal
Our first rehearsal
Our first rehearsal
Our first rehearsal
Mike contemplates the new space… hmmm
After the old gear gets moved out, we should have the space to ourselves.
It doesn’t look like the flutes and clarinets will be on the main floor – a little tight for space.
The storage areas….
Well, it’s in!
It may take a “little”
organizing…
The Music made it in good shape – no more going downstairs to find an extra part!
Once we move the music stands into the main band room, we should be able to turn around in here.
Those uniform racks have been around since the first days in the old high school!
Getting there…
The east side of the building from Sandburg Road – the band room is on this side but you cannot get in here.
Drive past the school and turn in on Sandburg Lane along the west side. The parking lot is on the left.
Ample parking just across the street from the main entrance.
The Main entrance to Sandburg Middle School
Go straight down the hallway almost to the other (east) end.
The Music Rooms (Orchestra, Vocal and Band) are on the right
you are almost there – just at the end of this short hallway.
The band room (room 8)