Thiel College sends two students to prestigious band festival

Staff report

GREENVILLE, PA.

Thiel College students Amanda Hautmann and Katherine Orczeck will participate in the 69th Annual Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band Festival from March 4-6 at Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa.

Hautmann and Orczeck are members of the Thiel Tomcat Marching Pride band. Hautmann plays the flute, and Orczeck plays the tuba. Performers are chosen by a selection committee for participation in the festival.

Founded in 1948, the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band is the oldest continually operating band of its kind in the United States.

Andy Erb, M.S., chairman of the Department of Performing Arts and Director of Bands, said it is the first time in at least two decades Thiel College has been represented at the prestigious festival.

“The ensemble assembled at this event consists of the very best instrumentalists from all the colleges and universities – both large and small – in the state. I am extremely proud that we have the honor of placing two of our very best amongst these fine musicians,” Erb said.

Members will perform a concert March 6 at Elizabethtown College. Michael Golemo, chairman of the music department and director of bands at Iowa State University, conducts the ensemble.