Timothy Foster Is This Weeks Featured Soloist
A large crowd helped the Oskaloosa Municipal Band kick off 100 years of the current bandstand.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – On Thursday night, the Oskaloosa City Band will perform on the bandstand at 8 p.m. This week’s featured soloist is Timothy Foster. He is a recent graduate of Creighton University, with majors in Spanish and Music. He plans to attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN this fall to pursue his Ph.D. in Spanish.
Timothy Foster will join the band on Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Edelweiss” and Gershwin’s “Someone To Watch Over Me”.
This week’s spotlight shines on the tuba section. They will be featured in “Them Basses” by G.H. Huffine. The high woodwinds and brass generally carry the melody. However, in this tune, the low brass, particularly the tubas get a turn at the melody.
The tubas are easily visible from the south side of the bandstand, sitting on the ledge. We’re not sure, but we think our 6 person tuba section rivals any tuba section found throughout the state, with close to 100 years combined band experience.
Dan Gallagher has played in the band for 26 years and has been the announcer for about 20 of those years. He is married to clarinet player, Shirlee.
Doug Nimtz began playing in the band in 1978 when he was in 8th grade at Sigourney Junior High. He has played in the Oskaloosa City Band most years since.
Mike Dursky, is a 2nd generation band member and has played in the band many years. He is the son of Andrea Dursky, father of Hailey and Megan, and uncle of Tyler. When he’s not playing tuba, he can be found in the Assistant Principal’s office at Oskaloosa Middle School, where he is known as Mr. Dursky.
Bailie Benson has played in the band about 5 years. She will be a sophomore at the University of South Dakota this fall, where she is majoring in Instrumental Music Education. She is a second generation band member and is the daughter of clarinet player, Kim Benson.
Taylor Nimtz has played in the band for 5 years and is also a second generation band member. He is a 2012 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. He plans to join the Marines this fall and hopes to play in the Marine Band.
Tony Nimtz is in his third year in the band, playing the trumpet for two years and joining the tuba section as a rookie this year. Tony is a second generation band member, joining his mom, dad, and brother. He will be a junior at Oskaloosa High School this fall.
This week’s marches include: “Olympia Hippodrome” by Russell Alexander and “Peacemaker” by Karl King. In addition, the band will play James Swearingen’s “Make a Joyful Noise” and “West Highlands Sojourn” by Robert Sheldon.
Director, Bruce Peiffer, commissioned a piece by composer, Eric Songer, entitled, “Theme from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon”. This piece serves as this week’s “Fiery Overture based on a Western Theme”. This song was featured in the 1949 motion picture starring John Wayne. With a budget of $1.6 million, it was one of the most expensive Westerns of its time.
Be alert near the end of the concert, as the band plays “Can-Can You Name These Tunes?”. There are as many as 20 well known melodies represented in this two-minute tune.
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 the Oskaloosa Herald. This week’s prize is a six month subscription to the Oskaloosa Herald. 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.
