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.