Wartburg College Concert Bands
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The Wartburg College Concert Bands (WCCB) are the primary bands at Wartburg College, a four-year liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Waverly, Iowa. The bands are currently under the direction of Dr. Craig Hancock.
The WCCB prides itself as one, unified, band program despite existing as two distinct bands, the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble. The two are almost identical in instrumentation and share leadership and traditions. The primary difference between the bands is the size. The Symphonic Band is larger, allowing for mass participation and larger sound, whearas the Wind Ensemble is smaller, allowing them to tour annually.
Michael L. Shraer of the Waverly Democrat praised the bands, saying "... [Dr. Hancock's] two ensembles provided, between them, a high-energy, highly-listenable repertoire featuring appropriately-forceful percussion, well-disciplined brass and a skilled woodwind section..."[1] The WCCB is open to all majors and years making for a very diverse, yet close-knit program.[2]
History[edit]
The first mention of a Wartburg Band comes in 1898, but it disappeared from all college records immediately after its founding and didn't reappear again until 1914. The Great Depression forced the abandonment of the band program in 1931, but it was revived in 1937 until 1942 when the campus didn't have enough qualified musicians due to World War II. Following the war, however, the band program was resumed, and it has flourished since.
Somewhere in the band's history, probably under the direction of Dr. Robert E. Lee, the Wartburg College Concert Band made an international tour of Europe. That became the tradition henceforth that every three years the band would make a tour of Europe. Dr. Lee could make the claim to prospective students that if they came to Wartburg and played in his band, he would take them to Europe sometime in their career.
In the fall of 1997, due to overwhelming participation, the Wartburg College Concert Band split into a two-band program. The resulting ensembles, the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Craig Hancock, have retained the traditions and the same high standard of excellence. For these reasons the groups remain united under the title of the Wartburg College Concert Bands. The Wind Ensemble maintains the tradition of making a tour abroad every three years, in 2007 making a tour of Japan rather than Europe. In 2010, the Wind Ensemble returned to Europe. The Wind Ensemble returned to Asia in 2013 by spending a week in China and two weeks in Japan. In 2016 the Wind Ensemble returned to Europe for its international tour.
The Wind Ensemble performed at the 2000 Iowa Bandmasters Association conference as the college honor band from the state. Guest directors on the concert included Dr. Myron Welch, Dr. Robert E. Lee, and August Knoll.
Directors[edit]
1935-46: Ernst Heist
1946-52: Edfield Odegard
1952-58: Ernest Hagen
1958-95: Dr. Robert E. Lee
1995–present: Dr. Craig Hancock
Traditions[edit]
The WCCB maintains that they are a family. This is based in a strong religious foundation, which the whole college is rooted in. There are many traditions that the WCCB holds dear, many of them spawning from shared faith and connection of being a family.[3]
Singing[edit]
The WCCB believe that although they are an instrumental ensemble, that singing is a vital part of sharing music. There are several songs near and dear to the program and serve in specific capacities.
Doxology[edit]
This traditional hymn, Praise God, from whom all blessing flow, is sacred to the group. It serves as a prayer before every concert the WCCBs give. The group gathers backstage and sings this to each other, inviting God to attend and enjoy the concert they are about to perform.
Table Prayer[edit]
This song is sung before every meal that the WCCBs share together. This includes the annual band bonding weekend, run-out weekends, and tours. This song is to the same tune as the Doxology, but with altered lyrics:
- Be present at our table, Lord.
- Be here and everywhere adored.
- These mercies bless and grant that we may
- Strengthened for thy service be.
Wartburg Loyalty[edit]
The Wartburg loyalty song is the official closer to every meal and gathering that the group holds.
Concert Endings[edit]
There are two pieces that are the traditional closers to every concert the group gives. Nearer, My God, to Thee is an instrumental work that signifies unity and love between each other and God. It serves as a thank you to God for a good concert. Sometimes the piece is played at rehearsals for band members and their families who are experiencing hard times. It is the group's way of praying for and letting them know that they are being thought about. "The Lord Bless You and Keep You", written by Peter Lutkin, is sung a capella by the band serving as a farewell blessing to those who have attended a concert given by the WCCB. It is performed immediately after Nearer My God to Thee and is always the last thing audiences will hear. Alumni of the band in attendance are often invited to join the ensemble for this portion of the concert.
Instrumentation[edit]
While the bands are open to all wind and percussion players, the Wind Ensemble has very specific restrictions on size to make its status as a touring ensemble easier to maintain. If the Wind Ensemble were completely filled it would be a 60-piece band.[4]
- 7 Piccolo/Flute
- 3 Oboe/English horn
- 4 Bassoon
- 1 E-flat clarinet
- 10 Soprano clarinet
- 1 Alto clarinet
- 1 Bass clarinet
- 1 Contrabass clarinet
- 3 Alto saxophone
- 2 Tenor saxophone
- 1 Baritione saxophone
- 8 Trumpet
- 5 French horn
- 6 Tenor trombones
- 1 Bass trombone
- 2 Euphoniums
- 3 Tuba
- 1 String Bass
- 7 Percussion
- 1 Harp
There are no restrictions on the size of the Symphonic Band.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
External links[edit]
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