Music Students Chosen for Intercollegiate Band

Eight Westminster College music students were chosen to participate in the 61st annual Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band, March 7-9, hosted by West Chester University.

The longest-running collegiate festival of its type in the United States, the band will welcome 120 musicians from 26 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. Dr. Peter Boonshaft, wind conductor and director of bands at Hofstra University, will be the guest conductor.

Dr. R. Tad Greig, Westminster College assistant professor of music and director of bands, will accompany the students. He is a past president of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Bandmasters Organization that sponsors the event. Greig has had students represented in this festival for 15 years, but Westminster has been represented for over 45 of the 61 years. Westminster has also hosted this event on four occasions, the most recent being in 2002.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to perform with other fine musicians and be led by world-renowned guest conductors," Greig said. "The Westminster musicians are constantly in the top of their respective sections, a testament to the outstanding musical talent at Westminster."

Westminster College students selected are:

Cortney Fry, a senior accounting and music major, is a daughter of Donald and Cynthia Fry of Smithville, Ohio, and is a graduate of Smithville High School. She plays the horn.

Alison Gerginski, a sophomore elementary education major, is a daughter of Mark and Barbara Gerginski of Harmony and a graduate of Seneca Valley High School. She plays the tuba.

Amber Kunder, a senior music education and elementary education major, is a daughter of David and Teresa Kunder of Poland, Ohio, and a graduate of Boardman High School. She plays the flute.

Bethany Morse, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Stephen and Lynne Morse of Rochester and a graduate of Grove City Area High School. She plays the horn.

Jonathan Nickel, a senior music education major, is a son of Clinton and Debbie Nickel of McKees Rocks and a graduate of Montour High School. He plays the trumpet.

James Scanga, a senior music education major, is a son of James and Kimberly Scanga of Sharpsville and a graduate of Kennedy Catholic High School. He plays the trumpet.

Jennie Smith, a junior music performance and Christian education major, is a daughter of Kendall Smith of Amarillo, Texas, and Julia Smith of Fort Worth, Texas, and a graduate of Western Hills High School. She plays the oboe.

Stephen Wheeler, a senior mathematics and music major, is a son of Frank and Terry Wheeler of Crescent Township and a graduate of Moon Area High School. He plays the bassoon.

This is the second appearance at the festival for Nickel, who said, "I feel honored to be selected to perform at this collegiate festival and work with many other talented college musicians. I am also excited to be a representative for the excellent music program we have at Westminster College."

Kunder is also making a return trip to the festival. She said, "I am excited about going to intercollegiate band this year. It is a wonderful experience to perform with top musicians from other Pennsylvania colleges and universities."

Contact Greig at (724) 946-7279 or e-mail greigrt@westminster.edu for additional information. 

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