2001 National Intercollegiate Band Establis
by Al Sergel ΚΚΨ Vice President fo Debbie Baker ΤΒΣ Vice Chair
T
he first National Intercollegiate Band of the century sets the standard! Seventyfour outstanding musicians come together to rehearse with Col. Bryan Shelburne. Add to the equation, two fantastic composers, Dr. Timothy Mahr and Julie Giroux. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this?! Under the baton of Col. Shelburne, retired commander and conductor of the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” the NIB prepared a concert to open the 2001 ΚΚΨ/ΤΒΣ National Convention. The actual project was coordinated by ΚΚΨ’s National Vice President for Professional Relations Al Sergel and ΤΒΣ’s Board of Trustees Vice Chair Debbie Baker. After planning for two years, listening to audition tapes, coordinating all necessary equipment, and making biannual reports to the national council and board of trustees, we found that the first moments of sound sent our hearts pounding. Playing great works like “Godspeed” by Stephen Melillo, “Jubilee Overture” by Phillip Sparke, “Marche Des Parachutistes Belges” by Pierre Leemans/ arranged by Wiley, “Legacy” by Eric Ewazen, and “Fanfare for West Point” by James Barnes brings a new level of musicianship to the Omni Hotel. The NIB would be a great musical experience for any college student, but as you know, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma add something special to the NIB performance by the commissioning of new band works. Again in 2001, the NIB premiered two new works. The 2001 Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma commissioned work was “Mourning Dances” by Dr. Timothy Mahr, a very challenging and musically emotional work with extensive percussion. Dr. Mahr wrote this in memory of a St. Olaf band student who passed away last spring. The variance in colors and style is outstanding. It is a work many of our college bands will want to include in their repertoire. The second premiere was the Tau Beta Sigma special commission “Hands of Mercy.” This piece was the result of hearing Woman in Music Speaker, Julie Giroux, at the 1999 National Convention. She was an inspiration to the Sorority and it was a
12—The PODIUM, Fall 2001
