The Decorah Band Department will be presenting their Spring Concert on Thursday, April 25 at 7:30 pm in the high school auditorium.  At this concert, the Percussion Choir will present the debut performance of “Through Perseverance We Continue,” composed by Iowa’s own Cory J. McBride. Generously funded by the Decorah Music Boosters, this piece stands as a heartfelt tribute to the memory of Jerry “JD” Dean and Erick Fadness. 

Mr. Bliven states, “After a significant hiatus, the band department embarked on a journey to commission a piece of music. Last spring, our quest led us to seek a composition with profound meaning, one that would serve as a heartfelt tribute to the memory of JD and Erick. It was then that the idea of a percussion choir piece emerged as the perfect embodiment of our intentions. With eager anticipation, I reached out to Cory, inviting him to craft a remembrance piece, a task to which he graciously committed. Thanks to the unwavering support of the Decorah Music Boosters, our vision became reality, offering our students a unique opportunity to honor these two great humans. As the performance draws near, our percussionists have poured their dedication into mastering this piece, ensuring it stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of JD and Erick.”

The Concert Band will also be performing the final movement of Robert W. Smith’s “The Divine Comedy,” “Song for Lyndsay,” “Danse Bohemien,” “Danse Carnivale,” “Chorale and Shaker Dance,” and special performances from the Saxophone Quartet and Percussion Quintet.  Bliven commented, “It’s going to be a great night of music, and we are looking forward to performing.”

Jerry “JD” Dean and Erick Fadness