Iowa High School musicians to present show for Spirit Lake

Celebration Iowa

Pictured are:  Front Row:  Alex Breitsprecher, Northwood; Michaela Leinen, Portsmouth
Back row:  Alexondrea Trigg, Sioux Center; Anna Wulfekuhler, Storm Lake; Emily Bush, Cleghorn; Rick Wilson, Spirit Lake; Sawyer Johannes, Villisca; and Tim Olsen, Marne.

Decorah, Iowa – Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band, an elite ensemble of Iowa high school musicians, is pleased to announce their upcoming performance in Spirit Lake on Monday, August 2, 2010 at 7 pm in the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts. This year’s group also features local Cleghorn student Emily Bush!

Now in its 28^th season, Celebration Iowa showcases the quality of Iowa high school music programs through its educational and service-oriented summer performance opportunity. Together with a talented staff of teachers and professionals, students in Celebration Iowa present an action-packed production that includes song, dance and jazz band favorites for audiences of all ages to enjoy.

Celebration Iowa’s 2010 show will open with a memorable tribute to American songwriters George and Ira Gershwin entitled, “The Brothers Gershwin”. Some of the compositions featured are, ”Strike Up the Band”, “Fascinating Rhythm”, and “ Shall We Dance”.  The second act, entitled “Legacy: Elvis 75!” is a rock and roll tribute to Elvis Presley who would be 75 this year.  Amongst the classic selections to be performed are,   “You Ain’t Nothin’ But A Hound Dog”, “Jailhouse Rock” and “Love Me Tender”.   The show will conclude with a set arranged by Kevin N. Brown specifically for Celebration Iowa.  “Ritmo Caliente”  is a celebration of Latin influence on American pop music featuring such hits as, “Rhythm of the Night”, “Caravan”, “Oye Como Va”, and “Get On Your Feet”.

The Celebration Iowa Jazz Band, will once again perform an eclectic repertoire of jazz from many styles and eras.  The group performs classic swing charts, as well as more modern big band charts.  They also perform original songs and arrangements from some of today’s newest composers written just for the group.  Popular selections from last year include:  “April in Paris” by Vernon Duke, “Boogie Stop Shuffle” by Charles Mingus and “Such Sweet Thunder” by Duke Ellington.

Celebration Iowa cast members are offered the opportunity to perform over 30 shows in all corners of the state and beyond while learning from some of Iowa’s finest teachers.  Every year cast members agree that their experience with Celebration Iowa is truly “the summer of a lifetime.”

2010 staff include Kevin Brown (band director, arranger), Jason Rausch (choral director), Lisa Roberson (creative consultant), Erin Taylor (choreographer), David Decker (choreographer), Kristin Olson (costumer), and Michelle & Duane Philgreen (choreography, arranging), amongst others.

Celebration Iowa, a project of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa is also funded by R.J. McElroy Trust and The Fred Maytag Family Foundation, and the Celebration Iowa Alumni and Parent Fund.  Each cast member also secures local sponsorships to defray personal costs.

The ensemble rehearses on the Luther College campus June 6-25 and tours statewide June 26- August 7.  Tickets for the Spirit Lake show can be purchased by calling the box office at (712) 336-3707 ext 6500 or online at www.samicenter.org.

Written by Mary Weis with Celebration Iowa

Have a great day!

Photography by Riley Briggs

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Join them at the Cleghorn Community Center!