Et cetera : Central College music department welcomes Belle Plaine students

The Central College music department welcomed over 75 students from 14 high schools across Iowa Jan. 26 for Bandfest 2012, with the day culminating in the Bandfest Concert in Douwstra Auditorium.

The following local students participated:

Jessie Simpson, Belle Plaine High School, clarinet

Mason Stull, Belle Plaine High School, tenor saxophone

Mily Coover, Belle Plaine High School, clarinet

Molly O'Brien, Belle Plaine High School, flute

The performance paired visiting student musicians with the Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble to perform music from Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story," as well as from Frank Ticheli's "Shenandoah," Jay Chattaway's "Spanish Fever," Jari Villanueva's arrangement of "Amazing Grace" and Percy Aldridge Grainger's rendition of Irish Tune from County Derry.

The group was under the direction of Mitch Lutch, assistant professor of music and director of bands. Assistant professor of music Stan Dahl and adjunct instructor of music Dennis Pedde contributed as leaders of the percussion and brass sections, respectively.

Prior to the evening performance, visiting students spent the day in workshops and rehearsals.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble is an auditioned 35-piece instrumental group and one of the premier ensembles on campus. It hosts two major concerts each semester and tours annually. Earlier in January, the ensemble traveled to New Orleans for this year's tour.