It was a testament to three men; Tory Antimuro, who introduced fifth graders to musical instruments, and also directed and led the band program in the high school, Richard Goettsch, who ran the band program in the junior high school, and Jay Nugent who took over the band program at the high school when Antimuro retired in 1973.

The students of these men still remember the strength of the programs, the excitement, enthusiasm and pride from their performances.

So in 2024, the old band got together, sort of. There were four different graduating classes who worked with Jay Nugent during those memorable years. They were the classes of 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978. There was so much joy at the first reunion, celebrating by playing music, sharing memories, and reconnecting with the people who made it all happen.

It had been 50 years since Jay Nugent moved to Webster City to conduct the band in the fall of 1973. By the spring of 1974, competitions and awards started coming back to Webster City, not for the athletic program, but for the band program.

From All State band competitions to small groups, honor bands, jazz and marching band, Webster City was on the map.

And those band kids remember it. So does Jay Nugent and his wife Cheri.

He couldn’t be happier than re-connecting with the students from that era.

Miriam Nass Carlson was one of those kids.

“Between Antimuro and Goettsch, we really had a strong music program,” said Carlson. “Nugent brought the finesse, the excitement to the program.”

So when some of those former band kids got together at a concert where former WCHS trumpet player Steve Cook was performing, they had an idea.

“Ya know, we ought to have a band reunion,” reminisced Carlson.

And so they did. In 2024 nearly 100 former students and their guests gathered to play their instruments, stand in the football field, and watch old videos of the performances of the band during the 1970s. Their performance hall was the St. Thomas multipurpose room.

And they are going to do it again.

“There was such a tremendous response to the first reunion,” said Carlson. “So many were unable to attend, and they requested a second reunion,” said Carlson,

In 2024, organizers put the word out in February of that year that a reunion would be happening in April. This time, there has been more lead time, starting the planning process in August so more can plan to attend.

The event will be April 17 to 19, 2026.

The venue has changed to the Briggs Woods Conference Center.

The social on Friday night will also be at the conference center, with the Al Welch Band playing at 7 p.m. It will feature appetizers and a cash bar.

Saturday there will be a group photo at the high school, with a band practice after the photo. Saturday afternoon will be a practice session at the high school.

Saturday night, band members and their guests who have requested music can be part of a special performance later in the evening.

“I’ve already had a number of people who have reached out to me that want to play,” Carlson said. “The jazz band and small group will play at the Saturday night banquet.”

They are expecting a much larger turn-out for this second reunion, she said.

“I think a lot of people didn’t understand what it would be like, so there might have some hesitation, thinking it was just another class reunion.”

They will wrap up on Sunday morning with a farewell coffee at the Mornin’ Glory Coffee shop.

The deadlines for registering for this reunion are March 15. Updates will be on the Jay Nugent Band Reunion Facebook Page.