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Music department to present honor band concert featuring high school students on January 16

ISSUED: 11 January 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The 13th Annual Shepherd University Honor Band Concert will take place on Monday, January 16, at 1 p.m. in the Frank Center Theater. The concert will feature outstanding high school students from the four-state region conducted by Dr. Scott Hippensteel, associate professor of music and director of bands and instrumental studies at Shepherd, and guest conductor Dr. Ishbah Cox. It will also feature Shepherd’s Honor Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Kurtis Adams, associate professor of music.

Cox, former assistant professor of bands at Purdue University, is currently director of bands at Olentangy Orange High School in Ohio. He is active throughout the United States as a festival adjudicator, clinician, and conductor.

Hippensteel is the conductor of the Shepherd Wind Ensemble, Shepherd Preparatory Orchestra, Ram Band, Symphony Band, and Pep Band. Hippensteel has served as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout Indiana, Maryland, and West Virginia.

Adams has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, Ultraphonic Jazz Orchestra, Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, and the 9th and Lincoln Orchestra. In 2005, “Downbeat Magazine” named Adams college co-winner for Best Original Composition for his composition “Instable Mate?” and in 2007 he was selected to participate in the Paquito D’Rivera Latin Jazz Workshop, performing with the Grammy-winning saxophonist at Carnegie Hall in New York.

General admission to the Honor Band concert is $5 and is free for Shepherd students with a valid Rambler ID. For more information call 304-876-5555 or visit www.shepherd.edu/music.

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