Members of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band perform the Badger fight song while entering the gymnasium at Hartford Union High School on Sunday night.

HARTFORD - Those who watched the University of Wisconsin Varsity Marching Band concert at Hartford Union High School on Sunday night likely recognized a few familiar faces on stage.

HUHS graduates Michelle Gehlhausen (trumpet), Christy Fritche (mellophone) and Jessica Scheunemann (trumpet) were joined by Slinger grads Nathan Retzlaff (trumpet) and Heather Wheiland (trombone) for a rousing performance of arrangements and compositions.

"I think it's pretty cool to actually be able to perform for people that I know," said Gehlhausen, who is in her third year with the Badgers. "Doing other UW concerts is fun, but it's not like you know the people that are there (in the audience); you are actually performing for a crowd. With this concert, performing for friends and family (is great)."

Wheiland, 21, who is completing her second year with the Band, agreed.

"It's pretty exciting to play for people that I have known for a while but haven't seen the band perform," she said.

The UW Varsity Band is composed of around 300 members and typically performs a series of spring concerts in different Wisconsin communities; about 200 were on hand for this show. Joe Piechura of Hartford is also a member of the Band but did not perform on this night.

Doug Smith, an assistant treasurer and percussionist with the Hartford City Band, was responsible for bringing the UW Varsity Band to HUHS for the first time ever. He got the idea last spring after watching the annual spring concert at the Kohl Center in Madison, and contacted UW Band Director Michael Leckrone about the possibility of the crew making a local appearance.

While the details weren't finalized until a couple of weeks ago, Smith was delighted to bring the combination of local talent and band music (without the marching) to the Hartford area.

"This is really great," he said. "I remember I had two sons that played in the (UW) band many years ago, and they enjoyed the experience. I'm sure these students will, as well."

Slinger High School Band Director Dave Hanke not only appreciated seeing two former Slinger High School band members return home and perform but was delighted the community could enjoy this brand of selections.

"We are so appreciative of the Hartford City Band bringing this band to Hartford and sharing with all of our surrounding communities," he said. "The people on the city band play for the love of playing. And to see them sharing the love of music with everyone is the real story behind the story."

Gehlhausen has played the trumpet since fifth grade, and played one summer with the Hartford City Band. She is the third member of her immediate family to play in the band at UW, following in the footsteps of her father and brother. But she became the first to perform as a member of the Badger Band in Hartford.

"For this to actually work out is pretty cool," she said. "I know a lot of people in Hartford have never seen the UW Band before, so this was a (wonderful) chance for the community to see us perform."

Wheiland, who has played the trombone since sixth grade, felt that bringing the UW Band to the area showcases how much preparation they put into a spring concert. After all, they are introduced at every UW sporting event as the "hardest working band in America."