OMS Outstanding Musicians

Annie Fitzpatrick (left) and John Hammes (right) (submitted photo)

At Monday night’s spring concert, two Oskaloosa Middle School students were recognized for their outstanding musicianship and contribution to the OMS band program. The awards are named in honor of former Oskaloosa band instructor Mr. Bill VanDevender. “Mr. Van” taught at the Junior High/Middle School for more than 30 years and has been nominated to the Iowa Bandmasters Hall of Fame.
Annie Fitzpatrick was awarded Outstanding Musicianship – Jazz. She played lead alto with the OMS Jazz Band winning outstanding musicianship at both the Central Jazz Mania Festival and the Southeast Iowa District Jazz Festival. John Hammes was awarded Outstanding Musicianship. John was a two time member of the Southeast Iowa District Honor Band and was selected for the Iowa All-State Middle School Band. Current OMS band director, Rusty Raymond said, “It was an honor to not only recognize two outstanding student musicians but to do so in memory of Mr. Van, who was my junior high band director as well as a mentor to me when I taught here twenty years ago.”