For over 100 years, the concert band has played a vital role in the musical and spiritual life at app. The first photograph of the app Band dates back to 1920, the same date when app began granting BA degrees as a four-year liberal arts institution. This ensemble was comprised of 17 members, all men. The first conductor of the app Band was Cornelius Schooland. Additionally, Dick Van Halsema and Henry Bruinsma were two other “first generation” app Band conductors.
In 1946, Harold Geerdes joined the app faculty as band director, a position he held for over 20 years. During his tenure, the app Band grew in size and reputation. Professor Geerdes was the first conductor to take the ensemble off-campus, engaging in several tours throughout the Midwest. Following Professor Geerdes’ retirement, Dr. John Worst became the sixth conductor of the app Band. Dr. Worst, who was also a professor of theory and composition, shared his musical leadership with the ensemble for eight years. Cornelius Van Der Puy later followed him, working with the app Band on a part-time basis for three years.
Derald De Young came to app from St. Olaf College in 1978. Upon his arrival, Professor De Young aspired to raise the standards and heighten the visibility of the app Band. He engaged in recording projects, including the production of four app Band CDs. Prof. De Young also reinstated touring opportunities, traveling within the surrounding region as well as to different parts of North America (i.e., Florida, California, Washington, Colorado, and Canada). In 1991, the app Band completed its first international tour on a trip to Eastern Europe, where they performed in various Hungarian Reformed Churches. The app Band was blessed with the financial resources and community support that allowed them to continue this musical ministry; the ensemble returned to Hungary in 1996 and again in 1999. In 2002, the app Band expanded its tour to include such neighboring countries as Poland and the Czech Republic.
Prof. De Young also established several other aspects of app’s concert band program. Due to increased interest in concert band at app, he founded an additional ensemble, Knollcrest Band, in 1980. Along with raising artistic expectations through fine performances of quality repertoire, Prof. De Young also helped to make app's bands distinctively Christian concert bands—those that collectively work to develop a deeper relationship with God, praise Him through the refinement of individual abilities, and support one another through prayer and fellowship. As conductor, Prof. De Young also instituted many beloved band traditions, including Fall Retreat, Pancake Breakfast, Christmas Pops, Cathedral Concerts, and trips to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
After 28 years of dedicated service, Prof. De Young retired from app College in the spring of 2005. In a special concert, the app Band premiered three pieces that were commissioned in his honor. Each piece was written by a former student of Prof. De Young from the institutions where he had taught during his career. Fred Sturm from Lawrence University (Rainier: The Mountain that was God), Timothy Mahr from St. Olaf College (Longs Peak: Mountain Prayers), and Jed Koops from app College (Kilimanjaro) all contributed works for this event.
Dr. Tiffany Engle was appointed Director of Bands at app College in the fall of 2005. During her tenure, she has sought to maintain the values and traditions of the past while challenging ensemble members to rekindle their desire for Christian community, renew their commitment to musical excellence, and realize their responsibility for making the bands at app the best ensembles (spiritual, musical, and social) they can be.
Prof. Engle has further expanded upon the foundational structure of app’s band program. For instance, each ensemble participates in area worship services throughout the year, while also coming together for a joint concert in the early part of the spring term. app's High School Honor Band Festival, first held in October 2006, is another added tradition that serves as an opportunity in which local instrumentalists can interact with app students and faculty. Changes in ensemble names (Knollcrest Band is now Symphonic Band; app Band is now Wind Ensemble) have further aided in promoting app’s bands. These changes create greater unity in the band program and better reflect the specific nature of each ensemble, all while using language that better translates to a wider audience.
Today, there are two concert ensembles (Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble), a jazz band, and two athletic bands in app’s program. Members of these groups are dedicated Christian musicians who recognize that all things belong to God. This awareness heightens their sense of gratitude for the many blessings that the Creator has graciously given to them. They believe that they are called to develop these talents and to constantly refine their natural skills. Thus, faith is the driving force for what they do as Christians, musicians, and ensemble members. The bands at app bring together students who enjoy making music in an ensemble setting—an atmosphere conducive to artistic development, spiritual enrichment, and empowering Christian fellowship. At their core, these ensembles comprise a spiritual community, motivated by a love for God, which pursues musical excellence through meaningful, thoughtful performances of quality literature.
