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Augustana Symphonic Band Sesquicentennial Celebration

Nov. 22-24, 2024

Registration is open for the Augustana Symphonic Band (formerly the Augustana Concert Band) Sesquicentennial Celebration, taking place Nov. 22-24, 2024.

You're invited to connect with fellow band alumni and celebrate 150 years of musical excellence.

Important notice: The Saturday evening dinner and concert conversation has reached full capacity. Registration for the Sesquicentennial Celebration is still open and is now priced at $70. Registration no longer includes dinner and the concert conversation. Secure your spot today to join the festivities!

Registration is $120 per person and includes:

  • Friday evening refreshments
  • Two continental breakfasts
  • Tours of Bergendoff Hall and campus
  • Participation in the alumni band (alumni only)
  • Dinner (only available for those registering on or before Nov. 19)
  • Reserved, priority seating at the sesquicentennial celebration concert

An optional Celebration Reception will take place on Saturday evening and can be purchased for $35 per person. Registration for this reception is not included in the reunion registration.

Register now

Questions? Contact Evan Sammons '20 at evansammons@augustana.edu or 309-794-7575.


Event schedule

Friday, Nov. 22

  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Sesquicentennial Celebration Exhibit open (Thomas Tredway Library, second floor)
    The exhibit will display and feature artifacts from the band's history and will include a comprehensive timeline of the band's history.
     
  • 3-6:30 p.m.: Check in and registration
    (Centennial Hall lobby)
    Check in or register and enjoy refreshments with alumni and friends of the band. Merchandise will also be available for pick up for those who ordered merchandise with their registration.
     
  • 4-5 p.m.: Campus tour
    (Meet outside Centennial Hall lobby)
    Register for a tour of campus. Meet on the second floor entrance of Bergendoff Hall. Please register for the event to participate in the tour.
     
  • 4-4:45 p.m., 5-5:45 p.m. and 6-6:45 p.m.: Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts tours
    (Bergendoff Hall; meet outside of the second floor music department office)
    Tour the newly renovated Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts. Space is limited to 30 individuals. Tours are identical and will last approximately 45 minutes. Identical tours will also take place on Saturday. Please register for the event to participate in the tour.
     
  • 8-9 p.m.: Alumni and Music Department faculty recital
    (Wallenberg Hall, Denkmann Memorial Building)
    Alumni and music department faculty will present a recital.
     
  • 9:15-11:15 p.m.: Alumni and friends gathering
    (Kavanaugh's Hilltop Bar & Grill, 1228 30th St., Rock Island, Ill.)
    Join band alumni and friends for a casual gathering at Kavanaugh's Hilltop Bar & Grill. Cost is on your own.

Saturday, Nov. 23

  • 8 a.m.-3 p.m.: Check-in and continental breakfast
    (Centennial Hall lobby)
    Check in for the celebration weekend and enjoy a continental breakfast. Continental breakfast is for event registrants.
     
  • 9-9:45 a.m.: Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts tour
    (Bergendoff Hall; meet outside of the second floor music department office)
    Tour the newly renovated Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts. Space is limited to 30 individuals. Tours are identical and will last approximately 45 minutes. An identical tour will also take place on Friday and Saturday afternoon. Please register for the event to participate in the tour.
     
  • 9-10 a.m.: Campus tour
    (Meet outside Centennial Hall lobby)
    Register for a tour of campus. Meet on the second floor entrance of Bergendoff Hall. Please register for the event to participate in the tour.
     
  • 10-11 a.m.: Presentation: History of Wind Bands at Augustana College
    (Wallenberg Hall, Denkmann Memorial Building)
    Presented by Dr. James Lambrecht, Professor, Co-Chair, Director of Bands, Augustana Symphonic Band, trumpet, conducting
     
  • 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Presentation: Update on the Department of Music
    (Wallenberg Hall, Denkmann Memorial Building)
    Learn about exciting updates in the Department of Music, presented by Dr. Jacob Bancks, Associate Professor and Co-Chair, Composition, Musicianship.
     
  • 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.: Sesquicentennial Celebration Exhibit open (Thomas Tredway Library, second floor)
    The exhibit will display and feature artifacts from the band's history and will include a comprehensive timeline of the band's history.
     
  • 12-2 p.m.: Lunch (on your own). Guests are welcome to dine in the Gerber Center for Student Life. All-you-can-eat buffet is $10.96. More information is available here.
     
  • 1-1:45 p.m.: Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts tour
    (Bergendoff Hall; meet outside of the second floor music department office)
    Tour the newly renovated Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts. Space is limited to 30 individuals. Tours are identical and will last approximately 45 minutes. An identical tour will also take place on Friday and Saturday morning. Please register for the event to participate in the tour.
     
  • 1-2 p.m.: Campus tour
    (Meet outside Centennial Hall)
    Register for a tour of campus. Meet on the second floor entrance of Bergendoff Hall. Please register for the event to participate in the tour.
     
  • 2-3 p.m.: Panel Discussion: Alumni in the Music Industry
    (Wallenberg Hall, Denkmann Memorial Building)
    Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring alumni from Augustana College who have made significant strides in the music industry. The event will highlight their diverse career paths and experiences. The panel, moderated by Jonathon Kirk '97, features:
    • Gary Bordner '75, former principal trumpet, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
    • Todd Gustafson '81, wildlife photographer and filmmaker, Des Plaines, Ill.
    • Robert Istad '98, professor of music, Cal State Fullerton, Grammy Award winner, Los Angeles, Calif.
    • Rebekah Morano '18, music therapist, Madison, Wis.
    • Jennifer Rome '96, pastor, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minn.
    • Kimberly Stephans '96, freelance musician and teacher, British Columbia, Canada
       
  • 3:15-4:45 p.m.: Alumni band rehearsal
    (Centennial Hall; check in at the Centennial Hall lobby)
    Alumni wishing to perform with the alumni band in the celebration concert will rehearse with Dr. James Lambrecht. Individuals wishing to participate in the alumni band must complete a registration.
     
  • 5-7 p.m.: Dinner and concert conversation - Note: This event has reached capacity. Registrations submitted on or after Nov. 20 do not include access to dinner and the concert conversation.
    (Gävle Rooms, Gerber Center for Student Life; a shuttle van will be available to transport registrants from Centennial Hall to the dinner and back for the celebration concert.)
    Enjoy a delicious catered buffet dinner (vegetarian and gluten-free options available). A cash bar will also be open. Following dinner, join us for a concert conversation featuring Dr. James Lambrecht and composer Kevin Walczyk, moderated by Dr. Jonathon Kirk '97. Dr. Lambrecht and Kevin Walczyk will discuss the world premiere of Walczyk's composition, which will be performed by the Symphonic Band at the Celebration Concert. Please complete a registration to attend dinner and the concert conversation.
     
  • 7:30 p.m.: Celebration concert
    (Centennial Hall)
    The highlight of the celebration is a concert featuring the Augustana Symphonic Band. They will premiere a piece by American composer Kevin Walczyk written in honor of the band's 150th anniversary. The alumni band will also perform. An alumni photo will follow the concert.
     
  • 9:30-11 p.m.: Celebration reception
    (Murabito Commons, Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for Health and Human Performance)
    Cap off a memorable weekend at this post-concert reception. Appetizers, dessert and a cash bar will be available. This event is not included in the weekend registration and costs $35 per person.

Sunday, Nov. 24

9-11 a.m.: Continental breakfast and social time
(Centennial Hall lobby)
Continental breakfast is for event registrants.

Campus transportation and parking

Golf carts

Golf carts will be available to accompany campus tours on both Friday and Saturday.

Shuttle van

A shuttle van will operate on Friday and Saturday, making frequent stops at Centennial Hall, the Gerber Center for Student Life (with access to the Thomas Tredway Library), and Denkmann Memorial Building. The shuttle will also transport guests to and from both the dinner and the reception on Saturday. Parking is also available near the Gerber Center. See parking information below.

  • Friday, Nov. 2: 4-9:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 23: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Parking

A campus parking map is available here. During the event, guest parking is available in the Centennial Hall Lot (Lot E), Lot C and Lot G. Parking for the Gerber Center is in Lot J. Handicap accessible parking spaces are located in Lot E and Lot J. Guests may park in Faculty/Staff lots after 4:30 p.m. on Friday and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Avoid student lots to prevent tickets, which cannot be waived.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in my registration?

Registration includes refreshments on Friday, continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, access to campus tours and Bergendoff tours, reserved seats at all events and dinner on Saturday evening. Registration also includes participation in the alumni band.

Do I need to register to attend the concert?

No, the concert is free and open to the public.

Do I need to register to participate in the alumni band?

Yes, registration is required to participate in the alumni band.

Is the optional Celebration Reception included in the registration fee?

No, the Celebration Reception costs an additional $35 per person and is not included in the $120 registration fee.

Support the Band Sesquicentennial Endowed Fund

About the Endowed Fund

If you have been a part of the Augustana band history, be a part of strengthening its future. Celebrate with us by giving a gift in honor of the Augustana band's sesquicentennial.

Proceeds will fund a band program endowment that will support tours, equipment and music. The endowment also will fund the commission by composer Kevin Walczyk.

Augustana is seeking donors to lead this initiative by offering pledges of support or one-time gifts. Pledges can be given during a period of up to five years.

Giving levels

Conductor Level: $5,000 and up

Invitation to a reception and dinner before the celebration concert with Kevin Walczyk and Dr. James Lambrecht, conductor of the Augustana Symphonic Band.

Framed and signed cover page of Kevin Walczyk’s commission

Gold Level: $2,500

Invitation to dress rehearsal, a digital recording of the celebration concert and commemorative Augustana Symphonic Band poster.

Founders Level $1,874

Digital recording of the celebration concert and commemorative Augustana Symphonic Band poster.

Celebration Level: $500

Commemorative Augustana Symphonic Band poster.

How to donate

Augustana is seeking donors to lead this initiative by offering pledges of support or one-time gifts. Pledges can be given during a period of up to five years.

Planning committee

Thank you to the members of the Band Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee!

  • Mitchell Carter '14
  • Amy Jackson '78
  • Jerry Johansen '68
  • Jonathon Kirk '97
  • Randy Micheletti '98
  • Allessandra West '20
  • Bob Wujek '98
Band Sesquicentennial

Alumni give their time and treasure for sesquicentennial celebration

Established in 1874, the Augustana Symphonic Band is the oldest continually performing ensemble on campus and one of the oldest wind ensembles in the United States. The ensemble will celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary with a weekend-long celebration Nov. 22-24, 2024. We sat down with some of the dedicated alumni who are planning the reunion to chat about the band program’s legacy.

Event sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors!

Incubate

Sesquicentennial sponsor

Incubate IP

Gold sponsors

Anonymous donors

Augustana Magazine

Lindsay Maess '05

→ READ the latest issue of the Augustana magazine.