ESB Summer Concert 2
The band continues its exploration of favorite repertoire with a program anchored by Gustav Holst's masterful "Second Suite in F," featuring all four movements including the beloved "Fantasia on the Dargason." The concert showcases diverse musical styles from Matthew A.C. Cohen's contemporary "The Rising Sun" to the Latin rhythms of Rafael Hernandez's "El Cumbanchero." Conductor Emeritus Dr. Timothy Zifer takes the podium for Frank Tichelli's jazz-influenced "Blue Shades," while vocalist Charles Blesch performs the classic "Moon River." The program concludes with the spirited Spanish pasodoble "Amparito Roca" by Jaime Texidor and Adrian Sims' whimsical "Contraption," with a special presentation of the Wesley Shepard & Dr. Edwin Lacy Awards.
Soloist
Graduated '79 University of Evansville with a degree in Music Management.
45 years in Music Retail
General Manager of the Conservatory of Music in Terre Haute
Sales Manager of Sigler Music in Fort Smith Arkansas
Soloist and member of the Fort Smith Symphony Chorus for 19 years
Soloist and member of the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus for 8 years
Dr. Zifer, Professor of Music Emeritus, holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Ohio University, a master of music in trumpet performance from Louisiana State University, and a doctor of musical arts degree in trumpet performance with a minor in wind conducting from Louisiana State University. Dr. Zifer retired as full-time professor of music from UE in the spring of 2023. Prior to his retirement he taught courses in wind ensemble, concert band, jazz bands, athletic pep bands, brass ensembles, trumpet ensembles, jazz studies, and music management core courses.
Dr. Zifer’s teaching accolades include the 2010 Dean’s Teaching Award as well as the Oramay Cluthe Eades Distinguished Professorship (2018-2023). His professional activities included principal trumpet with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra (1999-2022), principal trumpet with the Evansville Symphonic Band (2012-present), founding member of Shepard Brass (faculty brass quintet) and Purple Aces In The Hole (faculty traditional jazz ensemble). He has been a guest recitalist in the US and abroad during his performing and teaching career.
As a music director Dr. Zifer’s ensembles have performed all over the United States during his time at UE. Most recently he took the UE Jazz Band on a tour of New Orleans in the Fall of 2022. The UE Jazz Band has also attended the Elmhurst Collegiate Jazz Festivals numerous times winning awards and recognitions. The UE Jazz Band has also hosted several Grammy Award winning artists during his tenure. Most notable artists include Doc Severinsen, New York Voices, and Diane Schuur.
Dr. Zifer is currently serving as the UE Music Conservatory’s trumpet instructor. He also maintains a private trumpet studio as well as teaching over 65 trumpet students in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation schools. His hobbies include golf, pickleball and walking with his two Weimaraners, Fritz and Hans.
Kerri Blanford is an Evansville native who began her voice studies with Eva Key and flute under the direction of former ESB principal, Dona Hayden. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education from the University of Evansville, and a Master of Music for Flute Performance from Shenandoah University. Her instructors included Dr. Gregory Rike for voice and Gunnery Sergeant Kara Santos, Dr. Kelly Sulick and Dr. Shauna Thompson for flute at UE and Jonathan Snowden for flute at Shenandoah Conservatory.
Kerri started her teaching career at Edinburgh Jr./Sr. High School in 2015 as their choir director. In January of 2017, Kerri joined the music staff at Thompkins Middle School to teach choir and the exploring music courses. She is also the sponsor for their theatre program known as the Acting Choir of Thompkins (ACT). Kerri has served as the assistant director for the EVSC High School and Middle School Honor Choirs. She was a featured soloist during the 2018-2019 Honors Orchestra and Choir collaboration of Bernstein’s “Make Our Garden Grow” from Candide. Outside of the EVSC, Kerri is the Co-Associate Director of the Evansville Children’s Choir and a member of the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus and the flute section of the Evansville Symphonic Band. She enjoys performing the National Anthem each week at our concerts as well as singing and playing her flute at various churches and music events within the community.
In July 2018, Kerri married Alex Blanford. She enjoys traveling with her husband and cheering on his Central High School soccer teams. Their son, Caleb, recently had his second birthday, and he loves being a part of her music adventures.
ESB Summer Concert 3
This patriotic concert, dedicated to the Evansville Wartime Museum, celebrates American military heritage through stirring musical tributes. The program features Morton Gould's iconic "American Salute" and a complete performance of Philip Sparke's virtuosic "Clarinet Concerto" with soloist James Goodhue. Guest conductor Dr. David Smith leads John Philip Sousa's rousing march "The Thunderer," while the concert includes moving spiritual selections like "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and "Amazing Grace" performed by vocalist Kerri Blanford. The evening builds to a powerful conclusion with Noah Taylor's "Armed Forces Salute" honoring all military branches and Ryan Nowlin's triumphant "Let Freedom Ring," creating a fitting tribute to those who have served our nation.
Kerri Blanford is an Evansville native who began her voice studies with Eva Key and flute under the direction of former ESB principal, Dona Hayden. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education from the University of Evansville, and a Master of Music for Flute Performance from Shenandoah University. Her instructors included Dr. Gregory Rike for voice and Gunnery Sergeant Kara Santos, Dr. Kelly Sulick and Dr. Shauna Thompson for flute at UE and Jonathan Snowden for flute at Shenandoah Conservatory.
Kerri started her teaching career at Edinburgh Jr./Sr. High School in 2015 as their choir director. In January of 2017, Kerri joined the music staff at Thompkins Middle School to teach choir and the exploring music courses. She is also the sponsor for their theatre program known as the Acting Choir of Thompkins (ACT). Kerri has served as the assistant director for the EVSC High School and Middle School Honor Choirs. She was a featured soloist during the 2018-2019 Honors Orchestra and Choir collaboration of Bernstein’s “Make Our Garden Grow” from Candide. Outside of the EVSC, Kerri is the Co-Associate Director of the Evansville Children’s Choir and a member of the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus and the flute section of the Evansville Symphonic Band. She enjoys performing the National Anthem each week at our concerts as well as singing and playing her flute at various churches and music events within the community.
In July 2018, Kerri married Alex Blanford. She enjoys traveling with her husband and cheering on his Central High School soccer teams. Their son, Caleb, recently had his second birthday, and he loves being a part of her music adventures.
James graduated from Owensboro HS in 1982, the University of Evansville in 1986 (Music Education), and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1988 (Masters in clarinet performance). While at U.E., he studied clarinet with Dr. David Wright, and then with Howard Klug at the University of Illinois (now teaching at Indiana University). After graduating from the University of Illinois, James taught for 2 years at Fountain Central HS in Veedersburg, Indiana, then became assistant band director at Jasper HS in 1990. He has been the head director at Jasper HS since 1997.
Playing experiences include being a former contracted member of the Evansville Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony, and Champaign-Urbana Symphonies, as well as many seasons with the Evansville Symphonic Band. James is a former member of the ESB Big Band, and frequently performs as a Dixieland clarinetist whenever the opportunity arises. The past few years he has performed frequently as a substitute musician with the EPO, and occasionally with the OSO.
James has lived in the community of Jasper for 27 years, and has been married to Heather (Hubster) Goodhue, a Jasper native, for 19 years. They have 2 sons: Jack, 16 years old, saxophonist and a member of the Jasper HS football team, and Jace, 14 years old, saxophonist, and a hopeful future member of the Jasper HS basketball and baseball teams.
David’s career at the EVSC may have begun as a teacher in 1982, but his love for music came much earlier. As a 4th grader, tagging along with his older brother for early morning band class at Helfrich Park, David was given an opportunity. The teacher of his brother’s class decided to allow him to learn to play along with the class. Fast forward 40 years and David is now the superintendent of the EVSC.
Those years in between were filled with many experiences and leadership roles in the EVSC. David served as the band teacher at Benjamin Bosse High School, F.J. Reitz High School and Thompkins Middle School. He was also Instrumental Music Director during his time at each school. David produced 12 State Finalist appearances between the two high schools. He went on to serve as Assistant Principal and Principal at Evans Elementary before moving to administration where he served in many administrative roles including Interim Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, Director of Principal Support & Leadership Development, Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Business Affairs.
Even now, while serving as superintendent, David still plays the trumpet professionally as one of the founding members of the Evansville Brass Quintet.
ESB Summer Concert 1
The Evansville Symphonic Band presents an eclectic evening of beloved musical selections under the direction of Kim Fillingim. The concert opens with Alfred Reed's dynamic "The Hounds of Spring," followed by intimate French horn features including Rick DeJonge's "Mystic Dance" with Ryan Luttrull and the beautiful "Flower Duet" by Delibes performed by the horn duo of Luttrull and Art Adye. After intermission, the program takes a cinematic turn with Michael Kamen's "Robin Hood - A Symphonic Sketch," complemented by Samuel Hazo's reflective "The Stillness of Remembering." The evening concludes with vocalist Shay Barnett performing "Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman, Samuel Barber's stirring "Commando March," and Steven Reineke's scenic "Sedona."
Soloist
Ryan Luttrull is the Principal Horn in the Evansville Symphonic Band and has played with the group for the past decade. He studied horn with his ESB section-mate Art Adye in Evansville and with Richard Seraphinoff at Indiana University. Ryan is a founding member of the Evansville Horn Choir and teaches horn in the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation. He also serves as organist at Eastminster Presbyterian Church and plays organ and piano in many local ensembles.
A graduate of Murray State University School of Music with a degree in Vocal Performance, Shay’s musical career has spanned over 40 years. Prior to moving to Evansville in the 90’s, Shay performed across Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois and Indiana earning awards and accolades as a young musician. Over the years she has performed with many groups including the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, Evansville Civic Theater, Germania Mannechor, Evansville Choral Artists and has been honored to be guest soloist at numerous local events and churches. Her musical performances have spanned various genres including classical, opera, jazz and Big Band, contemporary gospel, and musical theater. She's also spent many years as music director and worship leader for several local churches and faith organizations. Not merely a performer, Shay has in the past been choir director for Mater Dei High School and North Posey High School, conducted master classes in vocal technique for various high school choir programs and taught many local students in her private voice studio. Shay has been guest soloist with the Evansville Symphonic Band for several years and is honored to join them once again this year.