March 18, 2012

The second in a series of three winter concerts by the Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge was held on Sunday afternoon, March 18 at the Decker Auditorium on the campus of Iowa Central Community College.  This year, the college has chosen the country of Ireland for its cultural emphasis in its Focus series, and the selections on the program reflected this heritage.  This concert was the band’s traditional Irish Concert in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

Many familiar Irish songs were performed, including everyone’s favorite, McNamara’s Band, as arranged by former conductor Reginald R. Schive.  Other Irish selections on the program included Strains from Erin as arranged by Lucien Cailliet, Eire by Melanie Donahue, Irish Tune from County Derry by Percy Aldridge Grainger, and Leroy Anderson’s popular The Irish Washerwoman from his Irish Suite.

Several march selections were performed as well, including Bon Voyage and Monahan Post, both by Karl L. King, along with The Irish Brigade by John W. Casto, and Hands Across The Sea by John Philip Sousa.

There was also a sing-along of two traditional Irish favorite songs.  Shari Netz led the audience in When Irish Eyes Are Smiling and My Wild Irish Rose.

The Flute duet, IN STERIO, was the special guest ensemble.  This group is a rare blending of sounds from flutists, Shivhan Dohse and Erica Peel.  Their unique vision of fusing classical flute training with mainstream music challenges the conventional ideas of the flute sound and repertoire. Founded in 2007, IN STERIO has performed at public schools, universities and flute festivals across the country. Among the styles IN STERIO has integrated and embraced are those of the Irish/Folk music.

Shivhan Dohse is an active freelance flute/piccolo player in the Iowa City area and can be heard in performance with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Dubuque, and Ottumwa Symphony Orchestras. Her heart lies most with Irish Folk music, which inspired her to study in Ireland.  Shivhan has completed her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Northern Iowa, and her Master's of Music Degree at the University of California Santa Barbara. She currently performs with her Irish band, 'DannsAir'.