Viking Band Show

Wurk is a 6-piece funk-fusion group which formed in Madison, WI in 2016.  Inspired by Umphrey’s McGee, Snarky Puppy, Lettuce, Phish and many others, their innovative original songs and ambitious interpretations of popular covers offer an impressive blend of jazz fusion, prog rock, jam rock and more, all with the consistent underlying grooves of funk.  Wurk has opened for acts including The Motet and Andy Frasco & the U.N. and helped pack venues across Wisconsin.  Described by Isthmus Magazine as “summer-jam-perfect” and two-time recipient of the Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) Artist of the Year Award (2019, 2022), Wurk fills the gap between complexity and groove, impressing fans and keeping them dancing all night.

Frank Laufenberg uses his electric guitar to provide funky rhythms and dense chord structure while filling the role of principal songwriter and vocalist.  He leads the charge alongside Daniel Haschke (saxophones/flute) who hypes the crowds by leaping off of the stage and spreading his infectious joy to the dance floor.  Max Morkri’s blend of solid grooving and intricate drum chops glue the band together. Jory Carlin’s bass playing builds a strong foundation. Carl Hipenbecker (trumpet/synth/vocals) and Brandon Jensen (keys/synth/vocals) offer a diverse range of skills to make each tune fresh and unique.  Most of Wurk’s members grew up in Mount Horeb, WI, just west of Madison; their shared background creates the band’s closeness and ability to communicate complicated ideas musically.

https://wurktheband.com/

The Viking Band Show returns! As always, this year's show features a wide array of musical styles from Rock to Soul to Broadway to Jazz. There is always a little something for everyone at the Viking Band Show! 

Dress Rehearsal

• Wednesday, April 9, 2026 from noon to 3:00 p.m. This is required event for all band members. Please have your binders fully assembled!

• Please eat lunch at 11:25 a.m. that day and report to the auditorium by noon with your instrument and binder

Performance Dates

• Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 @ 7:30 p.m. in the HS Auditorium. 

• Please arrive no later than 7:15 p.m. each evening for the show; you can wait on stage but please do not play

• Thursday Jazz = please arrive by 6:45 p.m. so you can be ready to play in the lobby by 7:00 p.m.

What to Wear? and Band Show T-shirts

• Dress for the event will be Band Show t-shirt, jeans or dark pants (no shorts!), and closed toe footwear 

• Shirts will be available the sometime during the week of April 6

Dressing Rooms

• The dressing room is now OFF-LIMITS as it is the home base for our guest artist members of WURK

• ABBA Medley singers and Student Acts, you are welcome to use the dressing room for changing before your time on stage, but please only use it for that.

2025-2026 Viking Band Show Running Order

Use this link to get your binders in order! There will be edits to this document but the running order shouldn't change. We will print paper copies of this closer to the event.

2025-2026 Viking Band Show Percussion Chart

Things We Also Need!

Would you like to help make the Viking Band Show even better? Do you need a Q3 "A" Project? Please talk with Mr. Dorner about opportunities.

Viking Band Show Guest Artists

1998 Old Hickory

1999 Kelly DeHaven Trio

2000 Harmony Rose

2001 Red Hot Horn Dogs

2002 The Cajun Strangers

2003 BC3

2004 Harmonious Wail

2005 Music Department Extravaganza

2006 Nob Hill Boys

2007 Staff Infection

2008 greenTONE

2009 Yid Vicious Klezmer Band

2010 The Big Payback

2011 Lee Becker and Dan Klarer

2012 Grupo Candela

2013 Red Hot Horn Dogs

2014 6 Appeal

2015 The Big Payback

2016 Grupo Candela

2017 Camille Thurman

2018 Grant Manhart

2019 Mariel Bildsten

2020 canceled (COVID)

2021 canceled (COVID)

2022 Darren Sterud

2023 Guest Introductions

2024 Jon Schipper

2025 Erica Von Kleist

2026 WURK