FARGO — On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Ben Franklin Middle School turned a regular band rehearsal into a lively competition that brought together music education and community policing. A “Siren‑Off” challenged the school’s sixth‑grade trumpet players to mimic the distinctive pitch of a Fargo police squad car siren.
Police officer leads the contest
School resource officer Josh Horner introduced the challenge, explaining, “I am going to play the siren here for you guys in a second so you can hear what it sounds like and then you need to mimic it.” Horner acted as both judge and jury, assessing which student could best reproduce the siren’s high‑and‑low tones.
Band director supports the effort
Band director Gregory Calrow set the stage, saying, “Listen to that pitch. How high and how low it is going,” before allowing each student a turn. He gave the participants a 30‑second practice window, encouraging them to experiment with their embouchure and breath control.
Students rise to the challenge
One by one, the young musicians puckered their lips, producing a range of buzzing sounds that rose and fell in an attempt to capture the siren’s wail. The effort was physically demanding; several students reported feeling red‑faced, out of breath, and light‑headed as they pushed their instruments to the high end of their range.
Trip Medhus earns the title
After a series of spirited attempts, the competition narrowed to four finalists. Officer Horner declared Trip Medhus the winner, noting his “best buzzer and high‑pitched, vibrating siren” performance. “I was just trying to keep getting louder and I was breathing a lot harder,” Medhus said of his approach.
Medhus received a certificate recognizing his achievement and returned to class proudly proclaiming, “I am proud of myself.” The event highlighted the school’s robust music program, which now includes 160 students across various instruments.
Community impact
According to Calrow, the Siren‑Off is more than a novelty; it offers students a chance to explore their instruments in an unconventional way, fostering confidence and teamwork. “It is a fun contest where the students get to play their instruments in a different way,” he explained.
The collaboration with the Fargo Police Department also reinforced positive relationships between law‑enforcement and youth, demonstrating how community partners can support educational experiences.
Looking ahead
Ben Franklin Middle School plans to continue integrating creative challenges into its music curriculum, encouraging students to develop both technical skill and creative expression. The Siren‑Off may become an annual tradition, inviting future classes to test their musical mettle against the unmistakable sound of a police siren.
Original reporting: InForum (Fargo section) — read the source article.
