WIND ENSEMBLE

Founded in 1898, the Wartburg College Concert Bands program is comprised of two ensembles —the Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band. Placement in the groups is determined by a yearly audition. Both groups represent students of all class standings and nearly all academic majors. The bands present joint and individual concerts throughout the year. Many of its 150 members are also involved in other music groups on campus, ranging from choirs to jazz bands, from campus ministry to student government.

The Wind Ensemble tours each spring and schedules an international tour every third year during Wartburg’s one-month May Term. In the spring of 2003, the Wind ensemble performed at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. The group toured Europe in ’97, ’01, ’04, and ’10 and Japan in May 2007 and 2013.

Lia Snead

Assistant Professor of Music

Name Home Town Major
FLUTE/PICCOLO    
Karly Daniels-Carlson Minneapolis, Minn. Music Therapy
Hanna Langley Cedar Rapids Music Therapy
Liz Ashing Grinnell Neuroscience
Kat Meadowcroft Adel English
Kendall Olson Osage Music Education (K-12)
Emma McAndrews Onalaska, Wis. Psychology
Claire Hulscher Van Meter Music
     
OBOE    
Mikaila Sarik Mason City Music Performance
     
CLARINET    
Haley Hansen Clarence Music Education (K-12)
Rhaena Reece Cordova, Ill. Music Education (K-12)
Jaylyn Gibbs New Hartford Music Education (K-12)
Gretchen Guetzlaff Clear Lake Public Health
Kaitlyn Olson Osage Music Education (K-12)
Rylie Bainbridge Cherokee Music Education (K-12)
Brynna Whitney Ankeny Music Education (K-12)
     
ALTO SAXOPHONE    
Abby Gaul Guttenberg Music Education (K-12)
Kylea Neuendorf La Porte City Accounting
Kelsey Dalen Dallas Center English
Anthony Girone Belvidere, Ill. History, Secondary Education
Paige Westbrook Denver Neuroscience, Psychology
     
TRUMPET    
William Fischer Plymouth, Minn. Computer Science
Brandon Burtlow Mount Pleasant Music Education (K-12)
Lexi Schmatt Cedar Rapids Music Therapy
Brandon Nieto Britt Music Education (K-12)
Haven Nunnelley Williamsburg Music Education (K-12)
     
HORN    
Matthew Henrich Mason City Biology
Sammy Dengler Newhall Music Therapy
Sarah Swenson Platteville, Wis. Psychology
Sam Lockhart Denver Graphic Design
Abigail Gerth Ankeny Music
     
TROMBONE    
Alexavier Morgan Madrid History, Political Science
Tyler Oyarbide Orange City, Fla. Chemistry
Audrey Tucker Mount Vernon Biology
Axl Harris-Sigafoose Muscatine Music Education (K-12)
     
EUPHONIUM/BARITONE    
Brody Condon DeWitt Music Education (K-12)
     
TUBA    
Samantha Anderson Dundee Music Education (K-12)
Matt Reis Davenport Music Education (K-12)
     
PERCUSSION    
Danson Moody Dysart Music Performance
Zackary Anderson Marion Physics, Secondary Education
Cadence Stephens Eagle Grove Music Education (K-12)
Ian Wetzler Martensdale Neuroscience
Cooper Cook Marion Actuarial Science, Mathematics

The first mention of a Wartburg Band comes in 1898, but it disappeared from all college records immediately after its founding and didn’t reappear again until 1914. The Great Depression forced the abandonment of the band program in 1931, but it was revived in 1937 until war year 1942 when the campus didn’t have enough qualified musicians. Following the war, however, the band program was resumed, and it has flourished since. In the fall of 1997 the Wartburg College Concert Band split into a two-band program. The resulting ensembles, the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble, have retained the traditions and the same high standard of excellence. For these reasons, the groups remain united under the title of the Wartburg College Concert Bands.

Band Bonding: At the beginning of each year the WCCBs join together for a weekend of music, fun, and fellowship. It serves as a get-to-know-you experience as well as a time to get a jump on the musical aspects.

Family: The Wartburg College Concert Bands strive to treat each performer as a member of a family. Although the members come from a variety of places and backgrounds this bond of family and love is something important to the ensemble.

Singing: The WCCBs believe that although they are an instrumental ensemble, they can sing also! There are several songs near and dear to the program and serve in specific capacities. Table Prayer: This song is sung before every meal that the WCCBs share together. This includes band bonding, run-out weekends, and tours. Wartburg Loyalty: This song is the official closer to every meal and gathering that the group holds. Doxology: This traditional hymn is sacred to the group. It serves as a prayer before every concert the WCCBs give.

Director History: Ernst Heist (1935-46), Edfield Odegard (1946-52), Ernest Hagen (1952-58), Dr. Robert E. Lee (1958-95), Dr. Craig Hancock (1995-2022)

The Lord Bless You and Keep You serves as a farewell blessing to end concerts. It is performed immediately after Nearer My God to Thee, which signifies unity and love between each other and God.

PERFORMANCES

The Wartburg Wind Ensemble tours the U.S. every spring and abroad every three years.

TOUR ABROAD AND MAKE MUSIC. EXPERIENCE MORE.