An Iowa Brass Christmas
DEC. 10, 2023 @ 4pm
Solon Community Center Auditorium
Pre-Concert 3:35pm: Iowa Brass Ensemble
Featuring: Paul Waech, Steve Kenny, Dan Davies, Peter Laird, Todd Bransky, Bob Driggs
PROGRAM
David Lang, Conductor
Fanfare: Christians Awake, Paul Lovatt-Cooper
The Christmas Song, Tormé & Wells/ arr. Philip Sparke
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Jacob Wilhelm Larsen
Angie Grecian-Bransky – Vocalist
What Child Is This (Greensleeves), arr. Gordon Langford
Winter Wonderland, Bernard & Smith/arr. Gordon Langford
March: Jingle Bells, James Pierpont/ arr. Jacob Wilhelm Larsen
We Wish You A Merry Christmas, arr. John Rutter/trans. Eric Wilson
** Intermission **
Steve Stickney, Conductor
Festive March - The Wonder of Christmas, Peter Graham
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Martin & Blane/arr. Christopher Wormald
Frosty The Snowman, Nelson & Rollins/arr. Sandy Smith
Ryan Carter – Bass Trombone
Mary, Did You Know, Lowry & Greene/arr. JD Shaw
Christmas Finale, Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Sleigh Ride, Leroy Anderson/arr. Ernest Tomlinson
Iowa Brass Personnel
Alex Beamer - Music Director (chair sponsored by Anonymous)
Alex has been the Principal Conductor of Iowa Brass since 2013, making this his 10 year anniversary with the group. Throughout his tenure, the band has performed at numerous competitions claiming such prizes as Best March and 2nd place at the Gateway Brass Band festival. Alex has participated in numerous conducting competitions throughout Europe and in 2016 received a finalist award at the Brass Band conducting competition in Manchester, England.
Mr. Beamer completed a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting at the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Messiah College. His conducting teachers include Dr. Jorge Perez-Gomez, Dr. Timothy Dixon, and Dr. Bradley Genevro. He has studied percussion with Steve Fidyk, Chris Rose, Doug Cardwell and David Knott. Alex has also participated in many master classes and clinics with some of the nation’s top conductors, such as Mallory Thompson, Eugene Corporon, Dennis Fisher, and Col. Timothy Holton.
Alex is the Vice President of School Music Services at West Music. During his down time, Alex enjoys life in the Amana Colonies with his wife Jessi, 3 boys Oliver, Henry and Paul, and their dog Lola.
Steve Stickney - Conductor
Steve is the former Director of Bands at Mount Mercy University and currently serves as Coordinator of Music Recruitment and Outreach. In addition to his coordinator responsibilities, Steve travels the Midwest as a marching, concert, and jazz band clinician and guest conductor.
A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Steve earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in Music Education from The University of Iowa and has completed over 45 hours of post-graduate work at The University of Iowa, Illinois State University, Seattle Pacific University, and Northwestern University.
Steve brings a distinguished 41-year career as a high school and college band director to the Iowa Brass and has thoroughly enjoyed returning to his musical roots as a performer in the group. High school concert bands and jazz ensembles under his direction at City High School in Iowa City, and at Linn-Mar High School, have appeared five times as honor bands at the IowaBandmasters Conference in Des Moines. Both music departments were also nationally recognized by the GRAMMY Foundation with five GRAMMY Signature School designations.
Professional honors include traveling to Japan as a Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar, to Yale University as one of 50 music educators in the nation selected to receive The Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award, and to Northwestern University as a summer Fellows recipient. Other honors included receiving the Iowa Bandmasters Association Karl King Distinguished Service Award (active), and the 2019 Iowa High School National Federation Outstanding MusicEducator Award.
His professional affiliations include the Iowa Bandmasters Association, Northeast IowaBandmasters Association, College Band Directors National Association, National BandAssociation, Iowa Music Educators Association, and the Jazz Educators of Iowa. He has served as chairperson for the Southeast Iowa District Jazz and Junior High Large Group Festivals, site chairperson for the SEIBA Concert Band Festival, chairperson for the IBA Concert Band Affairs Committee, President of the Iowa Unit of the International Association of Jazz Educators (nowJEI), President of the SEIBA, and President of IBA. He currently serves as the chairperson for the IBA Endowment Committee.
David Lang - Conductor
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David retired from teaching at Independence High School in 2021. During his 32 year career his ensembles received honors in Concert Band, Jazz Band and Marching Band: 9 appearances at the Iowa Bandmasters Conference; 9 Iowa Jazz Championship 1st place finishes; BOA Regional Marching Band Champion, and 2 appearances a BOA Grand National Marching Band Championships.
David is a frequent guest soloist with area community bands, colleges and high schools. While studying at the University of Iowa, he performed as a guest soloist with all three School of Music Concert Bands. He was the first place winner in the Leonard Falcone International Baritone Horn Competition and was granted a performance with the Michigan State Symphonic Band. He was also the Grand Prize Winner in the Des Moines Symphony Young Artist Competition and performed a Concerto with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. He has toured Europe with The Iowa’s Ambassadors of Music as a low brass instructor and euphonium soloist ten times.
David has won many education awards including: NEA and ISEA Awards for Excellence in Teaching; KCRG A+ for Education Award; KGAN Golden Apple Award; IBA & NEIBA Karl King Distinguished Service Award - Active; NEIBA Philip Sehman Excellence in Teaching Award; Colts Drum & Bugle Corps Hall of Fame, and Independence Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year.
Eb Soprano Cornet
Matt Hartmann
Bb Cornet
Paul Waech
Evan Fowler
Jeff Fountain
Steve Stickney
Repiano Cornet
Lee Stickney
2nd Cornet
Brian Redington
Beth Villhauer
Karla Beckman
3rd Cornet
Steve Kenny (chair sponsored by David Haaversen)
Keri Speidel
Flugelhorn
Dan Davies
Tenor Horn
Peter Laird
Ray Colony
Reid Barlow
Bob Upmeyer
Laura Sievert
Trombone
Kolbe Schnoebelen
Ross Thedens
Paul McNally
Lee Tippe
Bass Trombone
Ryan Carter
Baritone
Ryan Hesseltine
Joseph Horne
Euphonium
Todd Bransky
David Lang
Eb Tuba
Chris Bird
John Reyna
Bb Tuba
Bob Driggs
Steve Schomberg
Percussion
Jenn Boyens-Bishop (chair sponsored by Nasus Properties)
Spencer Kruse
Taylor Wells
Merchandise
Becky Bunting
SOLOISTS
Angie Grecian-Bransky - Vocal Soloist
Angie is a versatile talent born in Solon, Iowa. She pursued her passion for music by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Luther College. Angie has enriched young minds across Iowa, sharing her expertise in vocal and general music from kindergarten through 12th grade in various schools, including Charles City, St. Ansgar, Mason City, and Newman Catholic Schools.
Angie’s proficiency spans piano, vocal performance, and clarinet, contributing to her current roles as a Category Manager at West Music in Coralville, Music Director at Solon United Methodist Church, and a Realtor at American Realty & Management, Inc.
With a lifetime dedicated to music, Angie has taught private piano and vocal lessons while lending her talent to ensembles such as Una Vocis of Mason City, the DTKK Polka Band in the Amanas, and the Handbell Choir of Solon United Methodist Church.
In her family life, Angie cherishes her three grown children settled in New York City, prompting her to make frequent visits to that vibrant metropolis. Currently, she and her husband Todd call Coralville home, sharing their space with their beloved dog, Milo, and two feline companions.
Ryan Carter - Bass Trombone
Ryan is an up and coming versatile Bass Trombonist currently studying at The University of Iowa pursuing a B.A. in Music Education and a B.M. in Trombone Performance. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, he moved to Iowa and has been living in Iowa City since. This past summer, Ryan participated in the Atlantic Brass Quintet seminar and participated in final round for the Royal Australian Navy Band Bass Trombone Audition.
Ryan performs with the University of Iowa Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, Johnson County Landmark, and Trombone Choir. Outside of the University Ryan is a founding member of the Clinton Street Trombone Quartet, the modern jazz quintet The Laird Quintet and teaches private lessons. Ryan currently is the Vice President of the University of Iowa Trombone Association.
Upcoming Performances
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Saturday, Mar 16, 2024. Gateway Brass Band Championship 2024 (St. Louis)
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Sunday, May 5, 2024 @ 4pm. Spring Concert featuring our Young Artists Competition winners (Solon)
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Friday, Jun 14, 2024. 6pm - 9pm. Wurst Friday competition (Amana, IA)
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Saturday, Jun 15, 2024. 10am - 7pm. Wurst Brass Festival (Amana, IA)
Iowa Brass would like to thank the City of Solon, Parks & Recreation, and the Solon City Council and Staff, for all their ongoing support and specifically for their generous support of this community holiday concert. We would like to thank our sponsors and donors. We could not continue to make music without you!
Iowa Brass is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is supported through concerts, hired performances, and private donations. If you would like to make a tax-eductible donation, please scan the QR code or visit this URL: https://bit.ly/3UTKZAW
Thank you!
