Alumni give their time and treasure for sesquicentennial celebration
(Generosity Matters is a series of spotlight stories about those who give back to Augustana College.)
The Augustana Symphonic Band will celebrate 150 years of musical excellence this fall.
Established in 1874, the ensemble 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.
Amy Jackson '78
Amy Jackson '78, who graduated from Augustana with a bachelor's degree in music education, has many strong Augie bonds: her sister graduated from Augustana in 1979, her brother in 1982 and her mother in 1977. Her father was a professor in the music department from 1971-1983. Jackson herself taught clarinet and woodwind methods at the college from 1989-1995.
Jackson, who lives in the Quad Cities, is grateful to be near her alma mater, where she continues to support performances from Augustana's ensembles.
"I encourage Augie alumni to support these events," she said. "I'm lucky to be able to attend them regularly."
Jackson joined the reunion planning committee because she thought it'd be fun ("And it has been!" she noted). She looks forward to seeing friends and students at the celebration, and to hear the premiere of a piece by American composer Kevin Walczyk.
As a committee volunteer, Jackson is thankful for the chance to give back to the institution that inspired her as a student – and to pass along the Augustana tradition of "helping students develop and broaden their skills in music."
Randy Micheletti '98
Randy Micheletti '98 was introduced to Augustana by two people: the music director at his church and his high school chemistry teacher, Cheryl Britton '86. As a student interested in studying chemistry and playing music in college, their experience with Augustana made a huge impression.
Once his visited the campus, he was sold.
"I was hooked immediately," he said. "I had a great experience at Augie as a student – my time there exceeded even my own high expectations."
After moving back to the Chicagoland area in the 2000s, Micheletti volunteered with entrepreneur-focused classes led by Dr. David Thornblad, associate professor of business administration, and spoke in the Chemistry Department. He runs a small law firm focused on building and enforcing patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret portfolios for growing business.
Although he didn't major in music, Micheletti cites his time in the Augustana Symphonic Band with molding him into the person he is today, just as much as his time as a chemistry student. In planning the sesquicentennial celebration, he wants to make sure the anniversary is celebrated for what the group has meant for alumni, while also giving the program firm ground to continue to serve current and future students.
"My experience in the Music Department was more than just academics, more than just a club," he said. "It was a family, focused on our development as kind, thoughtful humans – just as much as learning how to play insane sixteenth-note runs that Claude T. Smith thought trumpeters ought to be able to play."
He added, "I can't wait to hear the world premiere of Kevin Walczyk's piece, but spending time with classmates that I haven't seen in years might be even more exciting for me."
Jonathon Kirk '97
Jonathon Kirk '97 earned his bachelor's degree in music Augustana and has been a music professor at North Central College in Naperville, Ill., for 16 years. He credited Augustana's music faculty's "robust" and "dynamic" qualities with the strong vision and success of the music department.
"While upholding the liberal arts tradition, they adapt teaching methods to evolving approaches in music performance, composition, and improvisation instruction," he explained, "all while dealing with rapid and ongoing changes in higher education."
Kirk joined the committee to reconnect with alumni (and meet new peers) while also helping to "sustain and promote the traditions and values we all experienced as students."
"As alumni, we can help pass down this kind of alumni involvement to future generations," he noted.
To Kirk, this remarkable anniversary showcases the enduring legacy of the Augustana Symphonic Band – a legacy that fills him with great appreciation.
His message to other alumni who are looking to get involved: "Stay in touch and stay curious about what the college is doing," he said. "Alumni can help leadership craft a strong vision for the college."
Jerry Johansen '68
Jerry Johansen '68 has worked with many Augustana Symphonic Band directors, beginning with John Leach. "It has always been gratifying to observe the tremendous growth of Augustana's band program," he said.
As retirees, he and his wife Judy Pitzer '71 Johansen have made it a priority to provide financial support to the organizations they value.
"The Augustana band program brought us together and music has played an important role in our lives," he said. "Contributing to the endowment fund and serving on the planning committee is one way of making our gifts last beyond our lifetime."
For the sesquicentennial celebration, Johansen looks forward to reuniting alumni from many years. He's also excited to hear Walczyk's commissioned piece, which will "serve as a testament to the 150 years of band excellence."
Johansen's love of music stems from its ability to reach into the depth of a person's soul. "Performing in a music ensemble not only gives the participant a meaningful, immediate experience," he explained, "but hopefully will provide a lifelong love of music as an important part of life."
"The music department, like other departments at Augustana, helps students grow into thinking and well-rounded individuals," he added. "We have lifelong friends amongst professors and staff at Augustana."