At St. Olaf, a campus dominated by musical talent, itıs difficult for a musician to stand out. However, seniors James Miller and Jayce Ogren have managed to do just that, and in some of most creative ways.

Miller, a Bachelor of Music Education major and Ogren, B.M. Theory and Composition major, have been friends since their first year at St. Olaf. Bonded by a love for music, their most remarkable accomplishment has been the founding and development of the Valhalla Band, a concert band of roughly 65-85 members.

What brought each to St. Olaf? James says there were no questions asked; he was always going to attend St. Olaf, mostly due to the strength of its music program.

Jayce, a native of Washington, says he swore to himself that he would not attend school in the Midwest. However, as he was searching for a small liberal arts school with a good music program, St. Olaf clearly stood out. Jayce visited St. Olaf and was impressed by the campus atmosphere and friendliness.

Throughout their four years, both Jayce and James have been extremely involved in many diverse activities. Jayce has been in the St. Olaf Band all four years, Viking Chorus his first year, Cantorei his sophomore year, a conductor of the Percussion Ensemble for the past two and a half years, and a member of the St. Olaf Orchestra for the past two years and the organizationıs president this year. He has also conducted the St. Olaf Band and Orchestra on various occasions.

He was in SOC his sophomore year and a J.C. in Hoyme last year. Jayce has continued his residence life work this year as an R.A. in Hill-Kitt. He is also the co-founder of Musiko Nova, a new music society on campus. During his free time, Jayce enjoys hiking. During the summers he is a park ranger at Pacific Beach State Park in Wash.

James has been equally involved. His first year he was a member of Norseman Band and has been in the St. Olaf Band and Philharmonia for the past three years. He is an extra for the St. Olaf Orchestra and a member of the Chapel Choir and the Brass Quintet. He has conducted both Philharmonia and the St. Olaf Band. He also has been a member and advisor of the LEAD Team, an organization for student leadership.

Outside of school, James has many interesting hobbies. "I am about the worldıs biggest Vikings fan," he remarks. Heıs also a WWF fan and states forcefully, "Long live Stone Cold Steve Austin!" He enjoys video games; "Final Fantasy 7" for Playstation is his favorite. During the summers he golfs during the day and bartends during the night at the golf course.

Through their involvement in music organizations, both James and Jayce have been able to participate in a lot of tours. This past summer, the St. Olaf Band went to England, Ireland, and Scotland. Through other tours, they have also been in all parts of the U.S. "Itıs been great. Through touring we have the opportunity to share music with people and share a little bit of what St. Olaf is about," remarks Jayce. James adds, "Touring is a high stress environment, but at the same time itıs a great deal of fun... especially when you enjoy making music so much. Itıs a really an intense experience."

One of Jayce and Jamesı favorite subjects to talk about is the Valhalla Band. James founded Valhalla on October 15, 1997. As a first-year, James did not make it into the St. Olaf Band, but did secure a place in the Norseman Band. However, he began to meet other fellow first-years who didnıt make it into a band at all. He was deeply concerned and went to talk to Norseman conductor Paul Niemisto, where he learned that approximately 100 students who audition each fall do not make it into any band. James offered to start a band for anyone who wanted to play. Jayce became involved almost immediately when he answered an e-mail from James and became co-conductor.

Valhalla usually rehearses once a week for two hours on Saturday afternoons. The band performs a concert each semester and one during interim at Sibley Elementary School. They play traditional concert band repertoire. Jayce and James say theyıve taken more risks with programming. The music has become more challenging through the years. Last spring, Valhalla commissioned several new pieces for its concert.

The musicians note that from its founding, the group has grown as a community. "I feel like people come to band because of the people and because of the whole community aspect of it," Jayce points out. He adds that some people meet their best friends in Valhalla.

For Jayce, one of the most challenging things about Valhalla is "finding the balance between working for the music and also to always treat everyone with utmost respect." For James it is "more of a balancing act than other music ensembles."

So what comes next for Valhalla, after the two graduate? Most importantly, they hope the organization will stay student run, organized, and conducted. Both band leaders express remorse at having to leave their band behind. "I donıt want to leave," says James. "If itıs something you start yourself, you donıt ever want to give it up," he added. "Both James and I have an enormous sense of ownership with the group," comments Jayce.

Naturally, both Jayce and Jamesı best memories from their time at St. Olaf are linked to music. For Jayce, his best memory at St. Olaf was conducting a piece he wrote, "Symphonies of Gaia," at the St. Olaf Band home concert this fall. "It was incredible... laying out everything of who you are into this piece and sharing it with all these people and to have the band play it with such conviction and have the band respond so warmly," he said.

James jokes that his best memory would have been the Vikings winning the Superbowl, if it had happened. Instead, he narrows his favorite memories down to two: Jayce and Valhalla. He says performances with Valhalla will always stay in his mind. "Theyıre really powerful experiences for me and Iım so happy for the members that theyıre doing it," he says.

About Jayce, James says, "Just by watching him work I just find myself growing and learning things... at the same time we have a meaningful friendship. Iıve learned much more from him about my conducting than I have from anything else."

"Ditto," Jayce added. "Itıs just such an act of God that weıre both here."

"You couldnıt find two people that like band more in the Western Hemisphere," says James.

After graduation, James says he will definitely be teaching. Right now, he is looking at teaching in public schools or attending graduate school in conducting. He has applied for graduate assistantship teaching positions at schools in the Midwest and on the East Coast. He also notes his future activities will include "lots of golf."

Jayce is also applying to attend graduate school in conducting. Next summer he hopes to study conducting in Colorado at the Aspen School of Music. He intends to keep composing music. He also hopes to someday drive around the country in a large van, but is not sure if it will happen.

For non-graduating students, Jayce stresses learning the art of balance, "following your heart with what you think is most important at that time." He cautions against being overly involved in either academics or extra-curricular activities.

James says, "Take the risk. If you have an idea or a dream, just do it. Think about something as huge as Valhalla. People say no freaking way, but there is a way to do what you want. You just kind of have to find a way." However, he also cautions against missing out on what you really enjoy. "I donıt want to ever give up watching football and playing golf and video games. Be a kid because you still have time to be a kid," he says.