April 19, 2009

The final indoor concert for the 2009 winter season by the Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge was held on Sunday afternoon, April 19, beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the Decker Auditorium on the campus of Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge.  This concert served a two-fold purpose.

The first purpose of the concert is to complement Iowa Central Community College’s Focus series.  The college had chosen Germany for its cultural emphasis.  The selections on the program reflected the excitement, beauty, and majesty of music from that region, written by some of the finest German composers.

The other purpose for this concert was the presentation of the Karl L. King scholarships.  These talented students auditioned during the day.  Rachel Leeper, bassoon, is a senior at Decorah High School.  She plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall.  Rachel's parents are Jeff and Jeanine Leeper.  Alexandra Popinga, flute, is from Hampton and is currently a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa.  Her parents are Alan and Nadine Popinga.  Timothy Arnold, trombone player back left, is from Pocahontas is out of high school and is planning to attend the University of Northern Iowa.  Tim's parents are Jeff and Susie Arnold.  Ben Neimann, trumpet, is a senior at Fort Dodge Senior High School.  He plans to attend Iowa Central Community College.  Ben's parents are Ed and Debby Neimann.  Aaron Fitzgerald, trombone player back right, is from Pomeroy and is a freshman at Iowa Central Community College.  His parents are Christopher and Peggy Fitzgerald.

Alexandra Popinga, winner of the  $1,000 scholarship, is pictured above performing Il Pastore Svizzero (the Swiss Shepherd) by Pietro Morlacchi.  Alexandra's accompanist was Leon Kuehner.  Providing the funds for the three scholarships are the King Band Scholarship fund, along with Dr. Greg Olson in memory of his parents, and the family of the late Steve Helmich.

Winners were recognized with $500 scholarships to Iowa Central Community College were trombone player Aaron Fitzgerald and trumpet player Ben Neimann.

Selections by the band’s namesake, Karl King, included Neddermeyer Triumphal March, Walsenburg Galop, and German Melodies Waltz. Other marches featured included Flag of Victory by F. von Blon, Old Comrades, by Carl Teike, and Nibelungen March by Gottfried Sonntag.

The program also included the overture, Egmont, by Ludwig von Beethoven and Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral from the opera, Lohengrin by Richard Wagner.  Rounding out the concert were Johann Sebastian Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in Bb Major and a beautiful chorale setting of Blessed Are They from A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms.  The concert closed with the playing of our National Anthem, The Star-spangled Banner.