Festival honors Hodapp’s lifetime passion

Carol Hodapp has built a lifetime of music and sharing that passion with all ages.

On Saturday, Owatonna honored Hodapp as the grand marshal for the Wenger Band Festival parade, which is now in its 10^th year.

Even though she has been “retired” for many years, Hodapp continues to share her passion for music in many different venues. She left Owatonna Middle School in 2014 after directing the band and teaching classroom music. Now she serves as liturgical music director at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Owatonna, teaches instrumental music through private lessons and plays in various community groups throughout the region.

Prior to coming to Owatonna, Hodapp taught music in Stewart, Minn. and Albert Lea.

She still loves to perform with her favorite instrument, French horn, which she says is one of the hardest brass instruments to play.

“It’s hard to give it up,” Hodapp confessed. “It’s a lifetime hobby.”

Hodapp said she got involved in music at a young age while growing up in Claremont after seeing her mother sing in the church choir.

“Music has always been my go-to when I need a place to go,” she says. “When things are going bad, music is a good place to go. It makes you feel better.”

She credits music for developing a great work ethic and discipline in children. Hodapp has found it may take years for someone playing an instrument to develop into beautiful sound.

“Something good doesn’t always come fast,” she said. “It’s not instant gratification.”

And that’s what Hodapp enjoyed most about teaching.

“It’s slowly putting the pieces together, and they do things they didn’t think they could. Follow my lead and come along.”

She is a big proponent of music being involved in the educational system.

“It’s another avenue for kids,” said Hodapp. “Besides academics, the arts open up a whole new world. We really need to stress that in our education. When kids can create, it opens up whole new creativity.”

The musician points to music notes on paper, which she says is nothing “until the notes come alive.”

One of those who has been touched by Hodapp over the years is Jessica Turnland, who returned to Owatonna to become a kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary. Turnland is also involved as a volunteer for the band festival and now privately teaches French horn lessons.

“She definitely inspired me to do that,” Turnland said of Hodapp. “She was really passionate about it, and her passion inspired me to continue.”

Turnland is grateful for Hodapp creating a passion within her for music. After high school, she traveled internationally with the concert band at Wartburg College.

“She pushed me to be the best I could be,” Turnland said, adding Hodapp pushed her farther than she ever thought she could be.

Hodapp admits she shed a few tears when she was asked to be the grand marshal for this year. “Really?” she said upon being asked. “I have always been in the background helping to build a program.”

She hopes the Wenger Band Festival will continue for years.

“It’s a wonderful thing for the community and hopefully it will keep building as we go forward,” she said.

Besides music, Hodapp keeps busy with camping, fishing, reading, gardening and grandchildren.

But don’t count on her to step away from music, possibly ever.

“Music will always be a part of my life one way or another.”