Band

Musicians Represent School in Honor Band Performance

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The Assumption Band has had a busy honor band season! First, on January 16, we had six students participate in the University of Dubuque Honor Band under the direction of Dr. Nolan Hauta. The students who participated were Olivia Fernando – Flute, Ellie Weyeneth – Clarinet, Natalie Herrman – Alto Saxophone, Alex Hady – Trumpet, Ethan Furgason – Trombone, and Evan Wilson – Euphonium.

Then, on Monday, January 19 was the Mississippi Athletic Conference (MAC) Honor Band at Central DeWitt High School! We had 18 students participate between two bands. The 9th and 10th grade bands were under the direction of retired band director Michael Omarzu from Western Dubuque High School and retired band director Steve Stickney from Mount Mercy University. The students who participated were Caitlyn Creech – Euphonium, Derek Creech – Trombone, Dylan Creech – Tuba, Devin Diaz – Percussion, Faithlyn Fernando – Clarinet, Olivia Fernando – Flute, Ethan Furgason – Trombone, Jonah Goldsmith – Percussion, Adrian Gonzalez – Clarinet, Renin Gray – Alto Saxophone, Alex Hady – Trumpet, Natalie Herrman – Alto Saxophone, Laisha Lopez – Trumpet, Max Nicoletto – Percussion, Micah Schilling – Trumpet, Em Wermes – Flute, Ellie Weyeneth – Clarinet, and Evan Wilson – Euphonium.

Finally, Evan Wilson was selected on Euphonium for the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) Honor Band on January 24th at the Voxman Music Building on the campus of the University of Iowa. Not only was Evan selected, but he made first chair! Evan was under the direction of conductor Brad Lampe from Central College.

Assumption Marching Knights!

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The Assumption Band has had a busy season, and we ended with two parades! We marched in the Davenport Halloween Parade, and got an award for Best Overall Entry! Students marched in costume and band parents handed out candy to the parade goers. On Veteran’s Day, Assumption marched in the Veteran’s Day Parade and accompanied Deacon John Wagner on The Star Spangled Banner after the parade. We are thankful for the active duty and retired military and our veterans for their service!

 

Band News

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The band students have had a busy season of honor bands and festivals!

In January, students participated in the University of Dubuque Honor Band, the MAC Honor Band, and the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) Honor Bands.

The University of Dubuque Honor Band took place on January 17. The students performed a great concert under the direction of Dr. Nolan Hauta and Dr. Evan Glickman, directors of band at University of Dubuque. Students participating in the University of Dubuque Honor Band were Olivia Fernando – Flute, Miriam Schwartz – Flute, Ellie Weyeneth – Clarinet, Alex Hady – Trumpet, Ethan Furgason – Trombone, Evan Wilson – Euphonium, and Ben Bates – Percussion.

The next weekend on January 20, students participated in the MAC Honor Band, hosted at Central DeWitt High School. The 9-10 band was directed by Dr. Rob Stull from Clarke University and the 11-12 band was directed by Dr. William Carson from Coe College. Students involved in the 9-10 band were Em Wermes – Flute, Miriam Schwartz – Flute, Adrian Gonzalez – Clarinet, Natalie Herrman – Alto Sax, Joseph Ngo – Tenor Saxophone, Ethan Furgason – Trombone, and Evan Wilson – Euphonium. Students involved in the 11-12 band were Olivia Fernando – Flute, Dale Cabrera – Clarinet, Ellie Weyeneth – Clarinet, Carter Nelson – Alto Sax, Renin Gray – Bari Saxophone, Alex Hady – Trumpet, and Ben Bates – Percussion.

We had two students audition for the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) Honor Band, and Evan Wilson made it on euphonium! He performed at the University of Iowa Voxman School of Music under the direction of Dr. Mike Fansler from Western Illinois University.

Then, on February 22-23, we had 5 students participate in the University of Iowa Honor Band. Olivia Fernando – Flute, Ellie Weyeneth – Clarinet, Natalie Herrman – Alto Saxophone, Ethan Furgason – Trombone, and Evan Wilson- Trombone participated. Ellie was in the Voxman Band, under the direction of Dr. Timothy Mahr from St. Olaf College, and Olivia, Natalie, Ethan, and Evan were in the Welch Band, under the direction of Dr. Mark Heidel and Dr. Eric Bush from the University of Iowa.

Additionally, the Assumption Symphonic Band performed at the Guy Blair All Iowa Concert Band Festival at Central DeWitt High School on February 18, where they got feedback from Dr. Frank Tracz from Kansas State University, Dr. Elizabeth Peterson from the University of Illinois, Jeffrey Hinton from Missouri Western State University, and Dr. Michael Golemo from Iowa State University. They got to work with Dr. Catherine Rand from Southern Mississippi University and she gave valuable feedback and helped the band improve their pieces they are working on towards Iowa Large Group Contest in May.

The Assumption Jazz Knights performed at the University of Northern Iowa Tallcorn Jazz Festival on February 20 and got a clinic from Dr. Gordon Vernick, director of Jazz Studies at Georgia State University.

Congrats to our hard working students, and Go Knights!

Honor Band News

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Assumption High School Band had a very busy week with participants at 3 different area honor bands! On Monday, January 16, 17 students were selected for the MAC Conference Honor Band, held at Central DeWitt High School. 8 out of 10 schools in the MAC were represented. Students rehearsed in 2 bands, one for 9-10 grade and one for 11-12 grade. The 9-10 grade band was directed by Mrs. Jennifer Williams, director of bands and Ankeny High School, and the 11-12 band was directed by Dr. Duane Bierman, director of bands at University of Nebraska-Kearney. Students selected for the 9-10 grade band were Olivia Fernando – Flute, Elisabeth Weyeneth – Clarinet, Geno DelPreore – Alto Saxophone, Alex Hady – Trumpet, and Ben Bates – Percussion. Students selected for the 11-12 band were Alison Byrne – Flute, Bianca Connelly – Flute, Michael Lochner – Clarinet, Kristen Byrne – Clarinet, Maggie Burchett – Clarinet, Tatyana DelPreore – Contra Alto Clarinet, Leah Wilson – Trumpet, Grace Hagerman – Trumpet, Lindsey Gerlach – Trombone, AJ Barry – Euphonium, Nathan Roman – Tuba, and Anna Schuster – Percussion.

On Friday, January 20, 10 Assumption students participated in the University of Dubuque Honor Band. Students rehearsed under the direction of Dr. Nolan Hauta and Dr. Evan Glickman of the University of Dubuque. Students from 3 states participated. At the honor band concert on Friday night, 4 Assumption students were presented with music scholarships to the University of Dubuque! Students receiving scholarships were Grace Hagerman, David Lochner, Michael Lochner, and Anna Schuster. Students participating in the University of Dubuque Honor Band were Michael Lochner – Clarinet, Elisabeth Weyeneth – Clarinet, Grace Hagerman – Trumpet, David Lochner – Trombone, Lindsey Gerlach – Trombone, AJ Barry – Euphonium, Tatyana DelPreore – Contra Alto Clarinet, Adie Craig – Percussion, Anna Schuster – Percussion, and Noah Whitlock – Percussion.

Finally, Michael Lochner, auditioned and was selected on clarinet for the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) Honor Band, held at the Voxman School of Music on the campus of the University of Iowa. The SEIBA High School Honor Band was under the director of Dr. Mark Heidel, director of bands at the University of Iowa. Students rehearsed all day and performed an outstanding concert that night.

Congrats to all of our honor band students!

Assumption Bands to present “…with Special Guest” on Sunday, March 27 at 3 PM

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The Assumption Bands will perform their March concert “…with Special Guest” on Sunday, March 27 at 3 PM at Sunderbruch Auditorium. This concert will feature members of the Quad Cities music community in performance with the Assumption Band students. The Assumption Wind Ensemble will perform Blue and Green Music by Samuel Hazo with members of the Assumption Art Club creating art work inspired by the music. The Assumption Symphonic Band will be joined by the Quad Cities Ukulele Club in performing Spirit of Aloha by Brian Balmages. Dr. Rob Elfline, a piano professor from Augustana College, will perform the first movement of the Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor, accompanied by the Assumption Symphonic Band. Dr. Nick Enz, Director of Bands at St. Ambrose University, will be conducting Infinity by Katahj Copley with the Assumption Symphonic Band. Admission is free.

Congratulations to Honor Band Students!

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Congratulations to our band students, who had a very busy week with 3 separate honor bands! On Monday, January 17, Central-DeWitt High School hosted the first Crossroads (MAC) Music Festival. Students from the area were divided into two bands. A 9th and 10th grade band was directed by Mr. Dan Terrell, band director at Linn-Mar High School, and the 11th and 12th grade band was directed by Mr. David Lang, retired band director from Independence High School. Assumption had 25 students participate in the Crossroads Music Festival. 9th and 10th graders selected for the festival were: Bianca Connelly – Flute, Maggie Burchett – Clarinet, Geno DelPreore – Alto Sax, Tristen Gray – Tenor Sax, Liam Ryan – Trumpet, Lucas Steining – Trombone, AJ Barry – Euphonium, Ralph Armstrong – Tuba, and Noah Whitlock – Percussion. 11th and 12th graders selected for the festival were: Dylan Whitlock- Flute, Charles James-Hoos – Oboe, Michael Lochner- Clarinet, Maegan Dolan – Clarinet, Kristen Byrne – Clarinet, Tatyana DelPreore – ContraAlto Clarinet, Stephanie Chanez – Tenor Sax, Leah Wilson – Trumpet, Grace Hagerman – Trumpet, Hank Gallagher – Trumpet, David Lochner – Trombone, Lindsey Gerlach – Trombone, Wes Ossowski – Euphonium, Nathan Roman – Tuba, Anna Schuster – Percussion, and Cooper Timmerman – Percussion.

On Friday, January 21, 15 Assumption students participated in an honor band at the University of Dubuque. Assumption students joined other students from Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin for a full day of music. Students worked with Dr. Nolan Hauta and Dr. Evan Glickman from the University of Dubuque and with world-renowned composer, Dr. Aaron Perrine. Assumption students especially enjoyed working with Dr. Perrine on pieces he composed. Students selected for the University of Dubuque Honor Band are: Dylan Whitlock- Flute, Alison Byrne- Flute, Maegan Dolan – Clarinet, David Lochner – Clarinet, Kristen Byrne – Clarinet, Ellen Jardine – Alto Sax, Leah Wilson – Trumpet, Grace Hagerman – Trumpet, David Lochner – Trombone, Lindsey Gerlach – Trombone, Lucas Steining – Trombone, AJ Barry – Euphonium, Adie Craig – Percussion, Anna Schuster – Percussion, and Cooper Timmerman – Percussion.

To cap off a busy week, Michael Lochner auditioned and was selected on clarinet for the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) Honor Band, which took place at Clear Creek-Amana High School on Saturday, January 22. Students from southeast Iowa rehearsed all day with Dr. Steve Shanley from Coe College and performed an excellent concert displaying a wide variety of music that evening.

Congratulations 2021 SEIBA Selections

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Congrats to sophomore Michael Lochner, clarinet, and freshman AJ Barry, euphonium, for being selected to the 2021 Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) Honor Band! While the in person festival won’t be held this year, these students prepared and recorded an audition and were judged against other students in the area.

Service Hour Opportunity – March 28, 2020 – Cancelled

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Assumption is hosting the 3A Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday, March 28. This event needs many volunteers to be successful, and the music department needs your help. This service hour opportunity is open to all students and we can offer service hours for your time.

We have opportunities on Friday after school for set up and all day on Saturday. Please let me know if you have questions or need help signing up.

To sign up to volunteer and to see a description of the volunteer opportunities, click below:

Click Here to Sign Up for Event