Andersen accepted to bandmasters honors band

Fairfield Middle School trumpeter Dakota Andersen was accepted to perform in the 2012 Iowa Bandmasters All Iowa 8th Grade Honors Band in conjunction with the Iowa Bandmasters annual convention.

The 130-piece band is selected from all of the six regional IBA districts. South East district sent just over 20 students to the honors band this year. Andersen participated in highly competitive auditions for selection to the ensemble and was one of the top members of his section at SEIBA honor band.

Each year, a composer/conductor is selected from the nation?s top publishers for young band. This year?s conductor was Gary Gilroy, a professor music and director of bands at California State University, Fresno. Gilroy?s music is published by several companies, has won many awards, and his compositions have been featured at many competitions, honor bands and even the 2008 Olympic Orchestra in Beijing, China. The conductor was commissioned to write a piece specifically for the honor band, which was premiered at the concert. This year?s commission was titled ?The Helmsman,? and according to the program notes ?is a respectful nod of appreciations for the life of leadership of Dr. Myron Welch, Emeritus Professor and Director of Bands Emeritus at the University of Iowa. Dr. Welch is respected worldwide and is known as one of the leaders or ?helmsman? in the state of Iowa.?

Andersen traveled to Des Moines Thursday to rehearse in the morning, and give a 1 p.m. concert in the downtown Marriott hotel as the opening concert for the Iowa Bandmasters conference.