by Al Sergel and Debbie Baker

2001 National Intercollegiate Band Establis

by Al Sergel by Al Sergel by Al Sergel by Al Sergel by Al Sergel ΚΚΨ ΚΚΨ ΚΚΨ ΚΚΨ ΚΚΨ Vice President fo Vice President fo Vice President fo Vice President fo Vice President fo Debbie Baker Debbie Baker Debbie Baker Debbie Baker Debbie Baker ΤΒΣ ΤΒΣ ΤΒΣ ΤΒΣ ΤΒΣ Vice Chair Vice Chair Vice Chair Vice Chair Vice Chair

The 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

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clear decision of the National Council to have Julie share her writing talents with the NIB. “Hands of Mercy” is a culmination of individuals making a difference for the whole, a solemn and powerful work that is very expressive but also accessible. This work is playable by most high school bands with good french horn sections. This will also be a wonderful selection for college groups to include between major works. It has been our privilege to organize the 1999 and 2001 National Intercollegiate Bands. Our goal has always been to continue the tradition of excellence that many have established before us. Our goal will always be to strive for the highest through a common bond of music. The 2001 NIB set a standard of musical excellence for the future. We thank and applaud each member of the 2001 NIB for all their hard work and dedication. Without you, we would not have shared an array of emotions and feelings. Thanks to all those who auditioned, to our chapters, directors, sponsors, district and national officers, and our national headquarters staff for promoting and supporting the NIB. Special thanks to the following for their help: Andy Russell and Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, Texas; Bill Cason, Corpus Christi Independent School System; Liz Mendietta and the Miller High School Band, Corpus Christi, Texas; host NIB chapters Epsilon Delta, ΚΚΨ, and Delta Eta, ΤΒΣ, Texas A & M University, Kingsville; Bryan Herring, Director of Bands, Texas A & M University, Kingsville; ΚΚΨ/ΤΒΣ National Alumni Association; Northwest Missouri State University Bands; and Flat Rock Middle School Band, Tyrone, Georgia.

The 2001 National Intercollegiate Band was a musical success that every member of Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma can take pride in. The efforts and contributions of many culminated in a concert that truly reflects our organizations’ ideals in striving for the highest as we serve our university and college bands. U