Decorah well-represented at Iowa Bandmasters meeting

Decorah music educator Liz Fritz conducts the U. S. Air Force Heartland of America Concert Band

There was a distinct Decorah flavor to this year's Iowa Bandmasters Conference in Des Moines at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown.

Decorah music educator Liz Fritz is the IBA president for the 2009/2010 school year.  At the IBA conference she conducted the U. S. Air Force Heartland of America Concert Band in a performance of Sousa's "Liberty Bell March."

The Luther College Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Juan Tony Guzman performed at the conference, as did jazz pianist Tom Bourcier.

Luther College trumpet professor Richard Tirk presented a clinic at the conference.

Patsy Martinson, lead instructor of massage therapy at Northeast Iowa Community College and a licensed Institute of HeartMath Resilient Educator instructor, spoke on HeartMath, a scientifically validated technique for motivation and energy for teachers and students.
 
"It was great to be able to showcase so many fine educators from Decorah," said Liz Fritz.  "I personally want to thank all of these people, as well as the Decorah Schools, for the continued support of our music students and our professional development as educators," she said.