Southeast Iowa Band thunders through Spring concert

MT. PLEASANT — On Sunday, March 8, The Southeast Iowa Band held its Spring Concert. The theme, “Musical Passport,” featured music inspired by the farthest reaches of the world, from Cape Horn to Armenia by way of South America, as well as several patriotic pieces. There was also a sight-reading challenge, wherein the band tackled a “mystery piece,” which they had never before practiced.

Band director Robert J. McConnell, who has been with it regularly since 1981, conducted, emceeing between pieces. Amanda Stout of Washington was featured as a horn soloist. The concert, held at the Chapel Auditorium in Mt. Pleasant, was free, with a reception afterward well-attended. Guests were encouraged to donate money, to keep this institution running.

This band, dating back to the days of Iowa Wesleyan University, is now closely linked to the Southeast Iowa Symphony. Indeed, it shares many of its players with that organization, and has, in the wake of Wesleyan’s closure, received much support from them.

It is remarkable in several ways. First is the prevalence of professional musicians; many of the members, according to McConnell, work as music teachers and directors in nearby communities. Second: the age range; the Band features several high school juniors, as well as a 91-year-old clarinetist, Sue Kristensen. Kristensen was honored by the audience and band alike. A performance of John Williams’ theme from Superman was dedicated to her, renamed for the afternoon, according to McConnell, to “Superwoman” in her honor.

McConnell was proud of his band, but candid. The music chosen for “Passport” was intentionally-challenging, with Armenian Dances in particular taking “...every rehearsal [they] had” to master.

Nevertheless, this was part of the plan; this difficult selection was chosen both to entertain the audience, and to challenge the band. The band director shared his belief that an experienced band playing complicated pieces would encourage its weaker players to rise to the occasion, training hard to hone their craft. It is, for some, their first time playing in a group of such high quality.

McConnell never expected to be a conductor. From a family of hog farmers, his family’s struggles in the Great Depression led to his father pushing him into higher education, in case the market should again fail. While studying music at what is now Truman State in Missouri, he took little more than the basic courses in conducting necessary for a well-rounded curriculum. But, his lifelong interest in and proficiency with music led to him taking up the position in 1981. Since then, with the exception of approximately a decade to raise his children, he has remained with the group, and enjoyed every minute of it.

Those who wish to hear the Band play again need not wait until its fall concert. Many of its players, including McConnell, pull double-duty in the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, which will soon perform Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. The Symphony and its Choir will perform on March 14 at 7 p.m., at the Capital Theater in Burlington. On March 15, they will perform twice: at 2 p.m. in at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, and 6:30 p.m., again at the Chapel Auditorium in Mt. Pleasant.

Tickets may be purchased online at seiso.us.