City Band To Perform Final Concert Of The Season
Oskaloosa City Band performance at the end of July 2012
Oskaloosa, Iowa – This Thursday night marks the final City Band concert of the summer. Beginning at 7:15, the Brass 5 (a brass quintet) will play, followed by the Patriots (fife and drum group). Both groups belong to the 34th Army Band, Iowa National Guard.
Nathan Smith will be the guest conductor of the city band, starting at 8 p.m. Nathan teaches 7 – 12 Music at Melcher-Dallas Community Schools and also plays oboe in the band.
The band will open with John Philips Sousa’s “King Cotton” military march. The band will also play a Karl King march arranged by Andy Clark. “Pan American” definitely has a Spanish flair. The band will close with out the season with Henry Fillmore’s “Americans We”, just like we started.
The band will reprise a few perennial favorites, including “The Legend of Danny Boy”, based on the Irish tune “Londonderry Air”. “Instant Concert” by Harold Walters is the song we all think of as a concert within a concert, as it includes snippets of 30 melodies. The band refuses to go another week without a fiery overture based on a western theme, and will play “The Cowboys”.
“Party Rock Anthem” is a modern tune, written and performed by American duo LMFAO, and has received worldwide notoriety. Younger audience members may recognize this tune.
Another familiar, more recent selection from a Disney motion picture, is “Music from Pirates of the Carribbean”. This piece includes “The Medallion Calls”, “The Black Pearl”, “One Last Shot”, and “He’s a Pirate”.
“Lassus Trombone” is a favorite of the band’s trombone section. Written by Henry Fillmore, it was also a favorite of John Philip Sousa due to its ragtime feel.
Speaking of the trombones, it’s time to introduce them. Dale Schoening joined the band this year, bringing with him 25 years of experience playing in central Iowa municipal bands, including: Boone, Perry, Pella, and Ballard Community in Huxley. He is pastor at the United Methodist Churches in Bussey, Hamilton, and Lovilia. He also drives a school bus and collects license plates.
Dale shared a bit of trivia after this week’s rehearsal. Henry Fillmore learned to play the trombone in secret as his conservative, religious father thought the trombone was an uncouth and sinful instrument.
John Stam is in his 6th year in the band. He will be a junior at Dordt College where he is majoring in Electrical Engineering. His sister, Michelle plays the flute.
Kylie Roozeboom is in her 5th year playing in the band. She will be a freshman at Iowa State University majoring in Interior Design.
Stephen Groenenboom is in his 7th year in the band. He will be a senior at Iowa State University this fall, majoring in Industrial Design. His older brother, Brett, played trombone in the band for several years also, but now lives in Des Moines.
Michael Groenenboom is in his 6th year in the band. He will be a sophomore at Dordt College, where he is majoring in Music Education (instrumental). There is a fourth Groenenboom who has played trombone in the band also, but she has not been able to play this summer due to schedule conflicts.
Jacob Hartl is in his 3rd year with the band. He will be a senior at Oskaloosa High School this fall. He is active in band and soccer.
This will be the last week for the prize drawing near the end of the show. This week’s featured sponsor is William Penn University. This week’s prize is a season pass for two to William Penn’s home football games. You may sign up for the drawing at the table at the base of the bandstand each week. A name will be drawn near the end of the concert and you must be present to win.
In closing, it has been a great summer of celebration as we commemorated the 100th anniversary of the bandstand. Thanks to all of the band’s supporters who come to the concerts each week. We will be back next year and hope to see all of you then!
