Pucker Power: Ben Franklin trumpet students compete for best 'siren' sound

Abby Makay / WDAY By Kevin Wallevand Today at 6:22 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? FARGO — In bands, the saying goes: "Trumpets, everyone else is just accompaniment." But at Ben Franklin Middle School on Tuesday, Nov. 10, Fargo police challenged the students to a "Siren-Off." ADVERTISEMENT The sixth grade trumpet players matched their lips in a high stakes competition. "I am going to play the siren here for you guys in a second so you can hear what it sounds like and then you need to mimic it," said Josh Horner, school resource officer. Horner was the judge and jury of the competition. The challenge: who could best match a trumpet sound to a Fargo police squad car siren. "Listen to that pitch. How high and how low it is going," said Gregory Calrow, Ben Franklin band director. And so, one by one, the sixth grade players puckered their lips and gave it a go. "You have 30 seconds to practice your siren outside, so go ahead," Gregory said. Red faced, out of breath and light-headed. The students were hitting the high range and back again, buzzing with as much pressure they could muster. ADVERTISEMENT In the end, it came down to four. And Horner declared Trip Medhus the winner. The best buzzer and high-pitched, vibrating siren player in school. "I was just trying to keep getting louder and I was breathing a lot harder," Trip said. Abby Makay / WDAY And the excitement is paying off at Ben Franklin, which has 160 students in band. "It is a fun contest where the students get to play their instruments in a different way," Gregory said. A certificate and tired lips to prove his victory, Trip headed back to class, the siren champ. "I am proud of myself," Trip said. ADVERTISEMENT Abby Makay / WDAY READ MORE FROM KEVIN WALLEVAND West Fargo racer says Bonneville crash ‘changed everything’ 1d ago 'The rest is history': From Minnesofa's humble garage beginnings to a growing retail sofa company 4d ago Gwinner firefighters honor young cancer patient 5d ago Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags KEVIN WALLEVAND BEN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL FARGO POLICE DEPARTMENT MUSIC By Kevin Wallevand Kevin Wallevand has been a reporter at WDAY-TV since 1983. He is a native of Vining, Minnesota in Otter Tail County. His series and documentary work have brought him to Africa, Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, South America, Mongolia, Juarez,Mexico and the Middle East. He is an multiple Emmy and national Edward R. Murrow award recipient. Reach Kevin at [email protected] or 701-241-5317 Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Fargo Fargo business warns of cash-change distraction scam 42m ago · By Isak Dinesen Fargo Mac and cheese cook-off raises money for United Way 1h ago · By Matthew Freeman Arts and Entertainment Jim Gaffigan will return to Fargo for 2027 show 2h ago · By Staff reports ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Men's Sports McFeely: Hawaii, somehow, blocks out distractions in paradise 1h ago · By Mike McFeely Business New Fargo coffee shop will feature viral fruit dessert and Vietnamese coffee 12h ago · By Stephanie Dickerson Moorhead Moorhead City Council signs off on plan to sell River View Heights 22h ago · By Ingrid Harbo College Matthew Donovan moves into larger room, has upcoming CT scan, father says 11h ago · By Forum staff