The Kanesville Symphony Orchestra performed at Bayliss Park for The 712 Initiative’s Celebrate CB today. It was a gorgeous day for music making.

This was one of the highlights of my life!!!! Special thanks to Kanesville Symphony Orchestra, Papillion Area Community Singers, Chanticleer Community Theater, and Floyd for bringing this vision to fruition. Also a huge thank you to Danna Kehm, Charlie Couch, Adam Van Osdel, Jacy Rook, Eric Wells, Tracy Critchfield, and Zack Salem for making this event happen. Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment is creating beautiful art for the Council Bluffs community. This story was told so effectively and I’m honored that I was a part of it. The Wall KSO: Cheryl Zimmerman Laughlin - Flute Jennifer Brickley - Flute Leslie Wrinkle - Oboe Allie West - Clarinet Pat Stronck - Clarinet Ronald Dewey - Clarinet Laura Baller - Bass Clarinet Elizabeth Loudy - Bassoon Paula Glade - French Horn Veva Larson - French Horn Becky Herfkens - Trumpet Josef Raoul Rodriguez SJ - Trumpet Alan Lightbody - Trombone Paul Shultz - Trombone Eddie Russo - Trombone Lauren Salick - Trombone Parker Grundy - Euphonium Walter Glade - Percussion Wanisha Clements - Violin Alyssa Franklin - Violin Emma Milbrath - Violin Matthew Murray - Violin Betsy Nash - Viola Ella Marie Etchison - Viola Gary Shamblen - Viola Joye VanTrimmell - Cello Allie Brown Hoyt - Cello Larry Britton - Cello Kathi Angeroth - Cello Delores Dorland - Bass Floyd: Rick Spurgin - Guitar/Vocals Scott Moore - Keyboard/Vocals Christopher Spurgin - Bass/ Vocals Dana Hancock - Guitar Jess Espejo Jr. - Drums PAC Choir: Pam Hardgrave Burwell Eva Furst Casiello Louis Dorland Susie Dorland Monte Evans Kellie Peterson Lisa Strohmyer Candise Nash White Dennis Young Chanticleer Theatre: Denise Putman Sophia Gochenour Delaney Walker Walker Cady Evie Mae Loeffelholtz Jasmine Bartolon Tim Daugherty Jason DeLong Teresa Debenedictis Christine Gochenour and Shannon Giffey. There were many people involved in this production (some who are not mentioned here). You know who you are. Thank you for what you do!!! We are thinking about collaborating with Pet Rock next year!!! I can’t wait for the next show! ❤️❤️ “All in all, you're just another brick in the wall….”

District Music Contest @ Burke High School. I’m excited to be here! So much wonderful orchestral music to be heard.

Rick Spurgin from Floyd I did an interview this morning on My Boomer Radio with the infamous host David Wingert promoting Kanesville Symphony Orchestra’s sold out show The Wall. We are joined by members of the Papillion Area Community Singers who will be singing the famous chorus “We don’t need no education!” as well as actors from the Chanticleer Community Theater who will depict/act through the autobiographical story on stage. This is a collaboration which is exactly what the Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment’s HOFF Center is intended for. To bring all art forms together without bias as a collective and allow the public to be transformed. At the HOFF we inspire by creating a culture which is inclusive and uplifting. There are no limitations and anything is possible. Have a wonderful week 🎵🎶.

Unbelievable Concert!!!! Shiana Montanari and Joye VanTrimmell were phenomenal. This was the best birthday present 🎁 I could ask for. I feel very blessed every for every year that music is a part of my life. 🎶🎵🎶

The Papillion Area Community Singers performance this past Sunday gave me goosebumps. The term for this magical occurrence is frisson. Anywhere between 55 percent and 86 percent of the population are able to experience the effect. French neuroscientists did a study with electrodes on the scalp to investigate/report on emotional pleasure received while listening to music. “The scans revealed theta activity, which is associated with memory, reward anticipation, and attention.” The findings of this study demonstrate that music might have once served as an evolutionary purpose. Could music have a biological function in our evolution? During our performance Sunday frisson was rattling its way fervently down my spine. The first time in my life this unworldly event happened to me was when I played violin in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. During the last section my body became rigid and I could not keep my bow placement firmly on the string. I spent the end of the movement crying overwhelmed by the compositions glorious power. Isn’t this why we do this???? Please share your moment when it happened to you in this thread (I’d love to know if you had this experience and when it happened). Mark Thornburg’s performance of Larry MacTaggart’s new choral work I Will Go was sensational. A song displaying the bravery of our military and first responders as they go into the face of danger to protect humanity. Megan Smith and Libby Bickford performed magnificently the duet For Good from Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked. Heather Aitken-Cade and Stephanie Schaff were soloists in I Believe by Mark A Miller. “I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining, I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it, I believe in God, even when God is silent.” The most powerful thing we can show each other is empathy, kindness, and love. We are all on this journey together and it is imperative that we acknowledge eachother and lift up one another through the turbulent struggles life presents. Being unprejudiced creates trust, trust in turn creates respect. People should not have to assimilate or acculturate to their surroundings but be celebrated for their differences. Diversity = ❤️

Goooooo Bluejays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What an amazing pit!!!! ❤️❤️ Thank you to these phenomenal players for Chanticleer Community Theater Into the Woods. “Isn’t it nice to know a lot and a little bit not?” Little Red Riding Hood Michael Ryan Frey - Violin Heidi Copeland - Violin Muriel Huckins Keck - Viola Jestin Cam - Viola Joye VanTrimmell - Cello David Bone - Bass Josh Spaulding - Percussion Laurel Andersen Mack - Piano Michaela Fandry - Piano Leslie Harris Hill - Flute Gary Roth - Clarinet Brent Sandene - Bassoon Christi Burkey Bierman - Horn Veva Larson - Horn Roger Dill - Trumpet

“You're so nice. You're not good, you're not bad, You're just nice. I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just right. I'm the witch. You're the world.” An intricate and thought provoking quote from from the witch. The woods break us, remold us, and transform us. You won’t be the same when you leave. Join me in the woods…if you dare!!!!!! Chanticleer Community Theater

I’m extremely proud of what the Creighton Strings accomplished last night. Bravo!!! 👏

Please join us for a super, sublime, sensational, string performance. Alliteration aside this should be a cool concert ;).

Our Kanesville Symphony Orchestra string group was able to perform for the Sweetheart Banquet at La Mesa. We definitely dressed for the occasion!!

What a superb pit. Come see Diana The Musical this weekend!!!!

Excited to be participating in the Omaha All-City Music Festival!!!

Here is the TEDX!!!! A huge thank you to Megan Smith, David Gillis, Strawbs Olive, Terry Lee for coaching me through to the finish line. Major shout outs to our speakers Michael Ackerbauer, Dr. Pat Friman, Ralph Kellogg, Justin Kemerling, Dana Murray, Ruth Murray, Justin Romano, and Lee Running. This was hands down one of the most challenging ventures of my life. TEDx has transformed me and I am proud of the person I have become. https://youtu.be/ZK_FLfr1sSk The Silent Baton: A Conductor’s Paintbrush | Dr. David Galant | TEDxOmaha

I am honored to have been nominated for this award. It is a blessing to share this list with such talented Music Directors. Music aids in interweaving the emotional subtext of a drama. We are the glue. Our sound keeps the audience connected and the trajectory moving forward. A character’s intent on stage is supported by the interpretations a Music Director has on the composer’s manuscript. Our choices breathe life into the show from the inside out transforming all those it touches. I did not win, but the fact that we are all together unified as an arts community supporting members of Omaha and Council Bluffs on their creative achievements is a victory in itself. Be bold, create, connect, learn, express yourself, find your passion, diversify your experiences, and love with all your heart. ❤️ Your artistic thoughts and ideas matter. You matter. In the end we only regret the chances we did not take. “Action is the foundational key to all success.” Pablo Picasso

The core definition of multitasking. With your right hand score study Stephen Sondheim’s #50 Agony Reprise from Into the Woods and with your left play a mixture of tug of war and fetch with a 4 pound maltipoo. Great prepartory technique mimicking independence of hands when conducting. Practice makes perfect. Happy New Year!!!! Looking forward to another year of joy, love, family, music, and friends. (Also may this be the year that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is good at football).

Excited to be nominated!!! #outstandingmusicdirection