Oskaloosa City Band For August 2, 2012

Oskaloosa City Band performance at the end of July 2012

Oskaloosa, Iowa – If you’re a fan of great music, our historic bandstand, and tradition, you won’t want to miss Thursday’s festivities. The square will be filled with the smells and sounds we’ve grown to love during Oskaloosa’s annual Sweet Corn Serenade.

The band will begin playing at 8 p.m. This concert will be special as we continue to celebrate the bandstand’s 100th year anniversary and the significant impact Barnhouse Publishing has had on our community. Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt will share some historical insights as the band plays a repertoire of tunes published by the C.L. Barnhouse Company.

Each year, during Sweet Corn Serenade, the band plays “Za-Ga-Zig’s Iowa Corn Song”. “The Iowa Corn Song” is the same age as our bandstand. Written in 1912, to promote the state of Iowa by the Iowa delegation at a Shriner’s Convention in Los Angeles, it may be one of the more popular songs in the state. If you know the words, sing along, and if you don’t, here are the words of the chorus:

We’re from I-O-way, I-O-way.
State of all the land.
Joy on every hand.
We’re from I-O-way, I-O-way.
That’s where the tall corn grows.

The band will open with Karl King’s “Broadway One-Step” and close with “Circus Days”.

Andrew Glover, who serves as staff composer, arranger, editor, and Chief Operating Officer at C.L. Barnhouse Company, will direct the band in three of his most recent arrangements. “Hail America” features snippets from patriotic favorites. “In The Garden” is an arrangement of a well known hymn with beautiful harmonies. “Vivo!” is a circus gallop and watch out, it moves fast!

Andrea Dursky will provide the vocal accompaniment on Andy Clark’s arrangement of “A Patriotic Trilogy”.

Andy Clark serves as the Chief Executive Officer at C.L. Barnhouse Company, where he also write and arranges music for bands. Other pieces arranged by Andy Clark that will be featured this week, include “The Woodwind Polka” and “Gospel John”.

The band will dedicate a song to Charles “Chuck” Barnhouse, who died in February. “Abide With Me” was arranged by Robert W. Smith, “In Memory of C.L. “Chuck” Barnhouse III, a lifelong advocate, patron, and publisher of music for musicians throughout the world”. “Abide With Me” was reportedly one of his favorite hymns. The band will also play “23 Skiddoo!”, which was another one of his favorite tunes.

Even though the burn ban is still in effect for Mahaska County, the band will again play a “fiery overture based on a western theme”. The band will play “Along The Santa Fe Trail”, reminiscent of the 19th century transportation route across the southwestern states.

The oboe section is one of the smaller sections in the band. Ellen Wubbels has played a total of 5 years. She teaches 6th grade band and music at Ottumwa Community Schools. Some may remember when she taught music at Webster, Whittier, and Lincoln Elementaries. She may also be recognizable as she and her husband demonstrate chair caning at Nelson Pioneer Farm each fall.

Nathan Smith is in his 4th year with the band. He teaches 7th – 12th band and choir at Melcher-Dallas Schools.

The percussion section is one of the louder sections of the band. Joe Overton has played in the band over 20 years. He is the band director at Eddyville-Blakesburg Community Schools. The other drummers report he keeps the percussion section grooving.

Nic Steel has been in the band for 8 years. He will be a senior at William Penn University where he is majoring in music. He may be a bit distracted this week, as he is busy preparing for his wedding this weekend.

Andy Peiffer has been in the band for 5 years. He will be a freshman at Iowa State University this fall where he will be majoring in music. He plans to try out for the Cyclone marching band.

Cassi Steel is playing in the band for the first time this summer. She will be a junior at Oskaloosa High School this fall.

Taylor Steel is also playing for the first time. He will be a freshman at Oskaloosa High School. Cassi and Taylor are younger siblings to Nic.

Hayley Dursky is in her 6th year with the band. She is a third generation band member, the daughter of Mike (tuba) and grand-daughter of Andrea (vocalist). Hayley will be a sophomore at Central College where she is majoring in Spanish and Secondary Education. During the summer, she works as a lifeguard at Edmundson Pool.

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary, each week, there will be a prize drawing near the end of the concert. This week’s featured sponsor is Alan Adams Photography and their contribution is a framed photograph of the bandstand. Alan Adams Photography is located on the north side of the square. Please sign up at the table at the base of the bandstand. Each week, the winner, who must be present to win, will be announced prior to the playing of the National Anthem.

The Iowa Building (located on the northwest corner of the square) will be open on Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring a historical display commemorating the 100th anniversary of the band stand.