The Karl King Band Selects a New Conductor Jerrold P. Jimmerson becomes only the fifth Conductor in the 100 year history of the Municipal Band in Fort Dodge.  Previous directors have included Carl Quist, Karl L. King, W. B. Green, and Reggie Schive.

The Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge, IA, has selected a new conductor to lead them into their approaching season starting in June.  The previous conductor, Reginald R. Schive, resigned in January, citing health reasons.  The search for a new conductor yielded three candidates, and one of them was recently elected by a majority vote of the band members to fill this position.

Jerrold P. Jimmerson, a member of the Band for the past 43 years, was selected to fill the vacancy created by Schive's resignation.  Mr. Jimmerson has been the band's bass clarinetist, and has served on the Board of Directors since 1990.  In addition, he has served as guest conductor, narrator, vocalist, substitute announcer, property manager, and has played in the percussion section.   He helped organize three reunion concerts of present and former band members, and has been co-chairman in charge of uniforms.

He becomes only the fifth Conductor in the 100 year history of the Municipal Band in Fort Dodge.  Previous directors have included Carl Quist, Karl L. King, W. B. Green, and Schive.

Jimmerson grew up in Fort Dodge, and started playing when he was 15 years of age in the Municipal Band, under the direction of King.  He continued playing throughout his High School and College years, as well as during his entire teaching career.  He has taught public school instrumental music for a total of 37 years in three different school systems.  He started his teaching career at the Crestland Community Schools in Early and Nemaha, IA, where he taught for 5 years.  He then moved to Nevada, IA, and taught there for three years before coming to Manson, where he has spent the past 29 years teaching High School Band.   He is planning to retire from active teaching at the end of this school year.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA, and a Master of Music Education degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.  He received the Karl L. King Distinguished Service Award for active directors in 2000 from the North Central Iowa Bandmasters' Association, and received the Teacher Tenure award from the Iowa High School Music Association in 1997 and 2002.

Jimmerson and his wife, Alice, live in Manson, IA.  They are the parents of three sons, all of whom played in the King Band at various times through the years.  His children include Kevin (and Amy), of Independence, IA; Bryan (and Jennifer) of Norfolk, NE; and Deron (and Ruth) of Waseca, MN.  In addition, there are seven grandchildren.  Jerrold's parents, Noress and Dorothy Larson, still live in Fort Dodge.

The King Band's summer season starts on Sunday evening, June 8, beginning at 7:30 p.m., with a concert at the Oleson Park Bandshell in Fort Dodge, IA.  Concerts will continue each Sunday evening, at the same time and place, throughout June and July.