MOORHEAD — Eighth-grade band students at Horizon Middle School are preparing for a unique performance with an important message.

The unBroken Project is a music initiative focusing on mental health. The band will be performing in concert in less than a month.

There are four or five pieces the eighth-grade band will be performing in the concert, like “Fragile,” a slow but hopeful piece about making it through good and bad days.

Another more uplifting song in the project is “Blue Sky Horizon,” which is about the relief of recovery.

“That one is meant to be kind of once one receives help, whether that’s medication, therapy, whatever that that is, kind of seeing through that depression, anxiety episode and coming out the other side really elated,” said Horizon Middle School Eighth-grade Band Director Tim Pipinich.

In contrast, there’s “Scream,” about channeling negative emotions in healthy ways, features shouting and a unique instrument called the Aztec Death Whistle.

“Scream” is one of two pieces the concert will be premiering in our region, with the program receiving some funding by unBroken Project’s composer Randall Standridge through a consortium.

The band will also be performing for the school’s seventh and eighth graders during the week prior to the concert, with an accompanying art project for the students.

Students in the band were a little hesitant at first, but have come to embrace the idea of the project.

“‘Fragile’ was the first song and I was just like, ‘This is really cool.’ I love the sound, and honestly it does feel like a little bit of relief with the instrument playing, and I can see how it corresponds with mental illness,” said Gabriel Nedrebo, who plays alto saxophone.

“Once we actually started getting into the pieces, I actually really like them. And I’ve struggled with mental health before so I thought it’s a really good idea and just to bring awareness to it,” said Zoe Martin, who plays flute.

For Pipinich, students living in a post-COVID-19 world and a growing political divide are just some of the reasons finding a way to promote mental health and break down stigmas through music was so important.

“We’re seeing more and more students at every age level that are touched by these things, whether it’s they themselves or their families. We see more students that give up easily, learn helplessness, shut downs. And so it just felt like now was the time,” Pipinich said.

The free concert is open to the public. It will be at 8 p.m. on May 22 in the Horizon Performing Arts Center in Moorhead.

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has had a successful offseason so far, landing 20-plus players through the transfer portal, including former Purdue Edge Nic Scourton, who led the Big 10 in sacks during his first collegiate season.

Following the Maroon & White spring game, it was evident that the wide receiver depth chart needed bolstering. Junior WR Noah Thomas was the sole receiver who made a significant impact. However, under Elko’s astute leadership, the team swiftly recognized the issue and tapped into the spring transfer portal, offering two seasoned wideouts, KeAndre Lambert Smith and Sam Brown.

Lambert-Smith committed to Auburn, while Brown is now headed to Miami. The good news? Elko and his staff will host former Auburn receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson on May 3, but another prolific receiving option has just entered the portal as of Monday afternoon.

Following his impressive 2023 season, former North Dakota State wide receiver Eli Green is now available. He recorded 46 receptions, 886 yards, and three touchdowns during his sophomore campaign.

Standing at 5-11 and 185 pounds, Green’s route running and notable second-gear speed in the open field is intriguing for an Aggie offense that needs explosiveness in the passing game. Green has two more years of collegiate eligibility remaining.

North Dakota State wide receiver Eli Green has entered the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.

He tallied 46 catches for 887 yards and three touchdowns. https://t.co/VNvB2Ek6qR pic.twitter.com/WeCLVevNdG

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 29, 2024

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

FAIRVIEW, Mont. (KUMV) – The spring planting season is underway for many producers, including Adam Cayko, who farms a few miles east of Fairview.

“Everything is good so far. A healthy family, we’re able to keep planting, and keep farming. That’s all I can ask for,” said Cayko.

The former sugar beet farmer has had to try new crops following the closure of the Sidney Sugars plant last year. He’s planting corn, spring wheat and soybeans again, as well as adding canola for the first time.

“I know a few other guys that have some irrigated fields who had [canola] last year. They were happy with it, and they were going to be planting more acres of it this year, so I think that’s one of the things that made us jump to this. It’s also a crop we can combine early on,” said Cayko.

The biggest change Cayko says, is dealing with market prices instead of the contracted prices that came with beet growing.

“It’s up to you when you want to sell them, so that’s going to be the biggest learning curve going forward, but we got one year under our belt, and it went pretty well. We’re hoping to gain on that knowledge and keep moving forward,” said Cayko.

As is the case in western North Dakota and eastern Montana, moisture has been pretty hit or miss so far this year. Cayko says once these seeds are in the ground, he’s hoping to see some precipitation.

Cayko says he’s hoping to finish planting ahead of some expected rain showers this week.

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