Five Graceland University Students Selected for 21st Annual Iowa Collegiate Honor Band

Graceland University Director of Bands, Dr. Erin Bodnar, is pleased to announce the selection of five Graceland students to the 21st Annual Iowa Collegiate Honor Band.

Analyn Blake, alto saxophone, is a music major from Corona, California. Kevin Hart, euphonium, is a music major from Baltimore, Maryland. Christa Hill, french horn, is an elementary education and music double major from Oakdale, Minnesota. Samantha Troncin, clarinet, is a music major from Bedford, Iowa. Hannah Wouters, clarinet, is a music major from Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

These talented students were nominated by Bodnar and chosen by a selection committee of music professors from Iowa colleges. They will take part in the performance at the Iowa Music Educators’ conference on Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m. in Nevada, Iowa.

The conductor of the 2014 Honor Band is to be Dr. Myron Welch, Professor Emeritus and former director of bands at The University of Iowa. There, Welch conducted the Symphony Band and Chamber Wind Ensemble, coordinated the graduate program in band conducting, and taught courses in instrumental methods, conducting and band literature. In 2001, Dr. Welch was named a Collegiate Fellow in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for his years of outstanding teaching, service and dedication to the college.

Also at this year’s Iowa Music Educators Association conference, Graceland University Assistant Professor of Percussion, Dr. Adam Groh will lead the session “An Introduction to Percussion Chamber Music.