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Jack Barron leads the Ottumwa Municipal Band in a final rehearsal. Courier photo by Pat Shaver
Farewell performance for city band leader
After 25 years of leading the Ottumwa Municipal Band, Barron to retire
OTTUMWA — Jack Barron will put down the baton for the last time tonight.
Barron has spent the past 25 seasons directing the Ottumwa Municipal Band. His first performance was in 1985, and his last will be at 7 p.m. this evening in Central Park.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s been 25 seasons,” he said. “I’ll miss the people. I’ll be back, it will just be a little different.”
Barron said it just felt like the right time to retire from directing the band. He will, however, continue with his job as the band instructor for the Van Buren High School in Keosauqua.
Barron moved to the area in 1984 and soon after was asked to direct the band during their winter and fall rehersals.
“We reherse hard and have a lot of fun doing it,” he said.
Barron said he has worked with some excellent musicians and performed a lot of music over the past 25 seasons.
“I have no real plans. But I’ll probably end up playing with the band next season,” he said.
Barron said it can be a challenge directing high school students, then switching to adults in the summer. The high school band needs a lot more time to prepare and practice. The adult musicians pick the music up quicker, he said.
“He’s an endless source of knowledge and information about the music. He has a real love for the band,” said Steve Campbell, who is in his fourth season with the band.
The band has about 40 musicians. They practice once a week for nearly two hours starting in late May. They perform every Thursday night in June and July and occasionally throughout the year.
“We cover a lot of stuff in a little bit of time. I like Jack’s quickness,” said Mary Jo Helgerson, a member of the band since 1993. “When he stops directing, everybody is quiet.”
“It’s just going to seem weird that he’s not going to be here,” Helgerson said.
“But all good things must come to an end,” Campbell said.
“I hope it’s not because of us,” responded fellow band member Mary Lee Hansen with a laugh.
Barron will be replaced by Brenda Hagedon, who has been with the band for several years and has directed the band when Barron was unavailable.
The band has been playing since 1865.
“We have a lot of history,” said Hansen, who has been with the band since 1974. “It started as a military band and progressed into a municipal band.”
The band is open to any adult who would like to play, and students can audition if spots are open, Hansen said.
Pat Shaver can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or by e-mail at p.shaver@ottumwacourier.com.
Band concert tonight in Central Park
OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa Municipal Band will conclude its 145th year of summer performances with a concert at 7 p.m. tonight in Central Park.
Band Director Jack Barron has selected a variety of music including two medleys of popular music, John Philip Sousa’s most famous march and a new arrangement of Leroy Anderson orchestral composition.
The sax quartet from the band will be performing during the concert, featuring Karen Spurgeon and Steve Campbell on alto, Jan Tallman on tenor and Alicia Carlo on baritone.
The complete program includes: “The Star Spangled Banner,” “La Polka De Paris,” “Sax Serenade,” “The Doors In Concert,” “Homestretch Galop,” “Creekwood Overture,” “March of the Two Left Feet,” “The Legends of Soul,” “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “America, the Beautiful.”
The audience is reminded to bring chairs or blankets for their seating comfort.
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