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.