It’s T-3 days until Vintage Band Festival 2025. So far we’ve featured 7 of the bands that will be performing on Saturday. This installment of VBF News showcases the remaining four ensembles.

Lake Wobegon© Brass Band

The Lake Wobegon© Brass Band is a British-style Brass Band from Anoka, Minnesota. The British style is a tradition noted for its characteristic dark, mellow tone. The name Lake Wobegon© comes from Garrison Keillor’s radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, and was the band was given permission to use the name with the stipulation that the band perform at a picnic sometime for Keillor. The ensemble gives concerts throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas and has toured twice in Great Britain. The band is led by Dr. Matthew George. Lake Wobegon© Brass Band is a Vintage Band Festival veteran performer.

RLC Jazz

RLC Jazz, an 18-piece big band, was formed in 2005 by members and friends of Roseville Lutheran Church (RLC) and is led by John Helgen on keyboard. The band’s first event was Roseville Lutheran’s New Year’s Eve service on December 31, 2005. They now play a free concert every New Year’s Eve, and it has become an annual tradition. Listeners and dancers are both welcome! The band also plays for Sunday morning worship, concerts, and other events throughout the year, utilizing a wide variety of repertoire ranging from big band standards to contemporary jazz to arrangements of hymns. They have played numerous venues in the Twin Cities area including riverboat cruises, weddings, ballroom dances, community events (Taste of Rosefest) and even went on tour in 2016!

Selby Avenue Brass Band featuring Thomasina Petrus

The Selby Avenue Brass Band takes its name from an extremely well-known neighborhood in St. Paul, Minnesota. The group is led by Tom Wells, tubist, arranger and composer and music educator in the Twin Cities area. Tom’s compositions and arrangements fuel a band comprised of enthusiastic and experienced musicians (including a couple of Grammy winners). While their musical roots come from the streets of New Orleans, they expand from that genre into many others. Thomasina Petrus is a Minneapolis actor and jazz vocalist, known for her signature role as jazz icon Billie Holiday. Selby Avenue Brass Band is a veteran Vintage Band Festival ensemble.

New Prague Area Community Band

The New Prague Area Community Band is a dynamic, nonprofit organization of volunteer musicians who share a love for playing music that entertains diverse audiences. Their members range from high school students to grandparents, united in their passion for making music that’s enjoyable for all. Rush Wagner is their conductor and he has a flair for creating wonderful programs. This ensemble has been the first band to perform at every Vintage Band Festival!