William Penn University Community Concert Band Performance to Feature Three Area Guest Conductors.

William Penn University

The William Penn University Community Concert Band will present its Annual Fall Concert on Monday, November 24, 2014 at 7:30 pm at the George Daily Auditorium. The band, under the direction of Scott Cressley, Director of Instrumental Music at Penn, will feature works by Sir Arthur Sullivan, Steven Reineke, Michael Kamen, Johann Sebastian Bach, and J. F. Wagner.

Featured on this semester’s program will be selections directed by three area guest conductors. Joseph Reitz, a junior music major at William Penn University from Grinnell, Iowa, will conduct Jay Bocook’s arrangement of the soundtrack highlights from Michael Kamen’s score to “Robin Hood”. Reitz plays trumpet in the concert band, jazz ensemble and marching band at Penn. He also sings in the university choir. Mrs. Kim Benson will conduct J.S. Bach’s “Passacaglia”. This new and monumental work was arranged by Oskaloosa resident, Andrew Glover. Mrs. Benson is currently employed at C.L. Barnhouse Co. in Oskaloosa. Previously, she was band director at North Mahaska, Oskaloosa, Southeast Polk, and Pella schools. Mrs. Benson is a percussionist in the concert band. Finally, Mr. Nathan Smith, band director at Twin Cedars Community Schools, will conduct the Joe Garland composition, originally made famous by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, “In The Mood”. Mr. Smith also plays oboe in the concert band.

The William Penn University Community Concert Band is in its seventh year since being revived in 2008. The ensemble is comprised of Penn students representing nine academic majors, WPU faculty, and community members from Oskaloosa, Eddyville, and New Sharon. This year there are 42 members in the concert band.

Admission to the concert is free.