The Monroe County Community College- Community Symphony Band will present, “Welcome Back, Woody” for their final performance of the season Monday, May 8, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. in the La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater at Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd. The performance is free and open to the public.
The concert will feature Sergeant Major Woodrow "Woody" English, U.S. Army (Retired) performing on trumpet and bugle, guest conductors Dr. Max Plank and Ann M. Felder, guest conductors. The MCCC College-Community Symphony Band is under the direction of Mark B. Felder.
The nearly 80-member band consisting of MCCC students and members of the community, many of whom have been with the band for many years, will perform the following selections:
- Also Sprach Zarathustra, by Richard Strauss
- American Overture for Band, by Joseph Wilcox Jenkins
- Amazing Grace, arranged by Frank Ticheli, and featuring Plank as guest conductor
- Summon The Heroes, by John Williams, arranged by Paul Lavender
- Fantasy on Yankee Doodle, by Mark Williams
- Flight, by Claude Smith
- Armed Forces Salute, arranged by Robert Lowden and featuring guest conductor, Ann Felder
- Rondo for Trumpet, by Claude Smith and featuring English on trumpet
- Norrsken, by Anders Astrand and LeBatterie featuring the MCCC Percussion Section
- Midway March, by John Williams, arranged by Paul Lavender
- Taps-Eternal Father, by General Daniel Buttefield and John B. Dykes, arranged by Captain Kenneth R.Force, USMS, featuring English on bugle and guest conductor Plank
- America the Beautiful, by Samuel Augustus Ward, arranged by Carmen Dragon
During the concert, Garret Ernst, executive director, of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, will make a special award presentation honoring Ann M. Felder.
Plank served the students of Eastern Michigan University from 1967 to 2012 as lecturer in saxophone, assistant conductor of bands, assistant to the department head, director of bands, and professor of saxophone. He counts more than 100 successful student teachers placed and supervised in the public schools of Michigan. He continues to be involved in music, most recently composing a march commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Dexter Community Band.
"Woody," as English is known to many, recently retired as Sergeant Major and principal trumpet and soloist for the U.S. Army Band’s “Pershing’s Own” and for the prestigious U.S. Army Brass Quintet where he served for 34 years performing for audiences around the world in venues ranging from presidential inaugurations to gatherings for heads of state. Woody continues to perform and has been the principal cornet for the popular Brass Band of Battle Creek since its formation and is sought after as soloist and clinician across the country and abroad.
Ann M. Felder's 37 year teaching career took her to many schools in Monroe, beginning with Meadow Montessori in 1985 and finishing as the orchestra director of Monroe Public Schools where she taught for 23 years. While there, Ann was an active member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and served on the executive board for several years at both the district and the state level, including a term as president of District 12. In addition to her work in the schools, Ann was also a director of Monroe’s community youth orchestra program for 24 years. Ann retired from teaching in June of 2022 although she continues to work with various high school orchestras as a clinician.
Mark B. Felder is in his thirtieth year directing the band at MCCC. Before and during that time, he was the band director of the award-winning Jefferson High School Band for twenty-nine years. Mark served twelve years in local and state offices of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, including president of District 12. He was named Band Director of the Year for District 12 of MSBOA. He also was named Music Alumnus Guest Conductor of the Year in 1988 for Eastern Michigan University. Mark has been musical director for over 150 musicals including 12 years as a musical director at Croswell Opera House in Adrian, Michigan.
The MCCC Season of Events is made possible through The Foundation of MCCC’s Cultural Enrichment Endowment Fund and the generous donations of Consumers Energy Foundation, DTE Foundation, First Merchants Bank, La-Z-Boy and Promedica Monroe Regional Hospital. In addition, lodging for the guest artist was provided by Williams Insurance of Monroe.
For more information about these and other community events hosted by MCCC visit www.monroeccc.edu/events.
About The Foundation at Monroe County Community College
The Foundation at Monroe County Community College is the charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the educational and cultural experience of our students and community. The Foundation at MCCC leverages voluntary support from donors to enhance the educational, literary, scientific, and cultural experience by helping Monroe County Community College meet its mission. The Foundation at MCCC touches thousands of lives each year through cultural arts programs, scholarships, and educational initiatives that guide and shape the business and civic leaders of tomorrow. Just as important, The Foundation offers a means for individuals of all ages and walks of life to express their philanthropy, act on their concerns, and follow the dictates of their hearts. For more information about The Foundation at MCCC visit www.monroeccc.edu/foundation.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich and transform lives by providing opportunities and excellence in higher education. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave.,Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.