West’s Wind Ensemble performed at the 99th annual Iowa Bandmasters Association conference on May 15. After receiving the news in January of their acceptance, the band has been prepping for the last 4 months.
The band played their concert set at the Showcase Concert on April 21. They also performed at their sendoff concert on May 12, which featured the 8th grade Symphonic Band, who were also selected to go perform at IBA. Afterwards, the band performed at the conference at 5 pm on May 15.
The band played Homage to Perotin by Ron Nelson, Twitch by Nathan Daughtrey featuring clarinetist Dr. Anoushka Divekar ‘16, John & Jim by Viet Cuong, Gladiator by John Phillip Sousa, Motherless Child by Benjamin Horne, With Love and Grace by Nicole Piunno and Peterloo Overture by Malcolm Arnold.
Twitch featured West Alum Anoushka Divekar ‘16. Divekar currently works as an Assistant Professor of Music teaching clarinet at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
Last year, Divekar came to West High and conducted a clinic with the clarinets as a part of the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra’s guest artist program.
Band directors Ryan Middleton and Brian Zeglis asked Divekar to come and join the Wind Ensemble as a guest artist at IBA.
As a West High alum, Divekar feels nostalgic coming back and performing at West High.
“In some ways it feels like yesterday and in some ways it really doesn’t. The ensemble sounds so good, so just being able to perform and feel comfortable performing has been amazing.” Divekar said.
Performing at IBA was a unforgettable experience for the directors and the students.
“I actually loved it so much. I feel like it creates a bunch of unity within the band and having everyone go through each piece. Whatever instrument you’re playing, you had to go through some hardship and practicing to get there. There was a lot of intricate pieces, but I had fun working with the clarinets and working with my section to make it all sound good.” bass clarinet Melissa Marron-Romero ‘27 said.
The band will be performing pieces from their IBA set at their final band concert of the year on May 21 in the Arganbright Auditorium.
