WINDJAMMERS UNLIMITED BRINGS CIRCUS MUSIC TO OSKALOOSA
Windjammers Unlimited 2018 (click for larger image)
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Windjammers Unlimited will hold its summer meet in Oskaloosa, Iowa, July 10-15, 2018. Founded in 1971, Windjammers Unlimited is a non-profit circus music historical society, dedicated to the performance, recording, and preservation of music from the heyday of the great American circus.
The event brings together music lovers and musicians from all over the country, who join together and form bands to play music. This summer’s event is hosted by the C. L. Barnhouse Co. of Oskaloosa, music publishers since 1886, and a major player in the world of circus music.
Windjammers play music associated with circus acts of yesteryear. Repertoire includes lively marches, ragtime selections, waltzes, fast-paced galops, humorous novelty numbers, and works in many other styles. Music was often selected to compliment a certain type of circus act.
“Circus music is happy music, fun for all ages,” said Windjammers President John Wetzel. “We enjoy playing it, and judging from the reactions of our audiences, they enjoy hearing it.” Noting that the music for the event is from the extensive archives of the Barnhouse Co., Wetzel added, “These are definitely concerts with which you won’t be bored!”
Windjammer bands will begin playing on Wednesday, July 11. Some fifteen hours of rehearsals and recording sessions will take place, in addition to rehearsals for two different concert performances.
On Friday, July 13 at 8 pm, a thirty piece band will pay musical tribute to the host city by performing music connected to Oskaloosa. Reincarnating the famous Iowa Brigade Band of 1899, the concert will take place on the historic bandstand at City Square Park. In event of rain, the performance will move to the Penn Central Mall.
A second performance, featuring the entire 80 member Windjammers Circus Concert Band, will be held Saturday afternoon, July 14, at 3 pm. This performance will be held in Oskaloosa’s George Daily Auditorium.
Both performances are free and open to the public.
Visit the Windjammers Unlimited website at www.circusmusic.org.
