About our Conductor
Jay S. Gephart is beginning his 10th season as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Kokomo Park Band. He currently serves as the Al G. Wright Chair of Purdue Bands and Orchestras and is the director of the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band and the Purdue University Wind Ensemble. In December, Gephart received the National Band Association’s Al & Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Award at the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago citing his exceptional dedication to music education throughout his career. Jay has been a faculty member at Purdue since 1995 and, prior to that, completed 12 years as a public school band director. He and has been an active member of numerous professional organizations and has recently, taught conducting at the American Band College of Central Washington University where he currently serves as their Program Administrator. In addition to continuing as KPB’s Artistic Director, Gephart will assume the role of Music Director of the Indiana Wind Symphony. The IWS is a resident company at the Carmel Center for the Performing Arts, performing concerts at the Palladium.
About our Soloists
Kokomo’s own J’lan Stewart is the featured vocalist on today’s conStewart, a 2023 graduate of Kokomo High School, isn't new to the spotlight. He received a standing ovation at The Palladium last July for his rendition of "The Impossible Dream" in the Songbook 's final concert. Selected from sixteen states, Stewart was one of only forty students chosen to participate in this prestigious program. He has also performed as a soloist with the Carmel Symphony in November 2023.
Currently pursuing Human Services at Ivy Tech Community College, Stewart's ultimate goal lies in musical theater. Fueled by his passion for musicals, nurtured during his high school performances in "The Little Shop of Horrors," "Elf the Musical," and "Matilda," he plans to transfer to either Indiana University or the University of Memphis to major in the field.
Stewart's vocal talent transcends the stage. He was an active member of the KHS Karisma Singers and a recipient of the 2023 Kokomo Musicale Past President Scholarship and the 2023 Tri Kappa Scholarship. J’lan is also a singer/worship leader at Strait Gate Ministry in Kokomo.
Songbook Academy founder Michael Feinstein, renowned for his dedication to preserving the Great American Songbook, describes J'lan as "a gifted singer and storyteller whose talent is only matched by his passion and authenticity." Attributing his success to his mother and KHS choir instructor Cherresa Lawson, Stewart aims to "become someone who inspires others" and advocates for those who have been told their voice doesn't matter. At the concert, Stewart will captivate audiences with "Blue Moon" by Rodgers and Hart, followed by an encore performance of his show-stopping rendition of "The Impossible Dream" from "Man of La Mancha."
Trombonist John Huntoon will perform “Green” from ‘Colors for Trombone’ by Bert Appermont. He has played with the Kokomo Park Band for 33 years. Born in Columbus, Ohio, John began studying the trombone in the fifth grade after several years of piano lessons with his father. He later received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois and his Master’s degree in Trombone Performance from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Upon completion of his graduate work, John served as principal trombonist with the Ohio Light Opera Orchestra and was the trombonist for the Southwest Brass Quintet in Phoenix, Arizona. After relocating to Indiana in 1991, John began teaching low brass in public schools in Indianapolis and the surrounding communities. From 1998 until 2017, John was on the faculty at Anderson University in Indiana. His experience in music and teaching led him to assist in the Music and Choral programs at First Baptist Church in Indianapolis, where his wife is the church vocal soloist. John has directed music at Central Christian Church in Anderson since 2018. He resides in Cicero, Indiana, with his wife, Diana, and Golden Retriever, Binkley.
Today’s Program
“A Kaleidoscope of Color”
“A Kaleidoscope of Color
Sunday March 3, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Sunday March 3, 2024 at 3:00pm
Havens Auditorium—Indiana University Kokomo Sponsored by Comprehensive Planning Corp
American Legion March ...........................................................................Charles Parker
American Legion March .................................................................................Charles Parker
Flying Colors.............................................................................................Robert Buckley
Flying Colors..................................................................................................Robert Buckley
Green from Colors for Trombone.............................................................Bert Appermont featuring John Huntoon, trombone soloist
Green from Colors for Trombone................................................................Bert Appermont featuring John Huntoon, trombone soloist
Red Cavalry March......................................................................................Morton Gould
Red Cavalry March..........................................................................................Morton Gould
"Yellow" and "Red" from Colour Symphony…………………………………..Phillip Sparke
"Yellow" and "Red" from Colour Symphony……………….………………………………..Phillip Sparke
Beyond the Green Meadows....................................................................George Farmer
Beyond the Green Meadows.........................................................................George Farmer
Blue Tango...............................................................................................Leroy Anderson
Blue Tango....................................................................................................Leroy Anderson
The Black Horse Troop.........................................................................John Philip Sousa
The Black Horse Troop...............................................................................John Philip Sousa
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.....Andrew L Webber / arr. Sweeney Intermission
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat……….....Andrew L Webber / arr. Sweeney
Intermission ∙∙∙
Fanfare for a New Era……………………………………………………………….Pinkzebra
Enjoy a preview of IUK’s upcoming production of “Oklahoma” in the lobby
Fanfare for a New Era……………………………….……………………………………………………….Pinkzebra
Fantasia on 'Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair'.........................Mark Camphouse
Fantasia on 'Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair'.............................Mark Camphouse
Beguine for Flutes........................................................................................Eric Osterling featuring the IU Kokomo Flute Choir, Trudy Whitford - Director
Beguine for Flutes............................................................................................Eric Osterling featuring the IU Kokomo Flute Choir, Trudy Whitford - Director
Blue Moon……………………………………………..Rodgers & Hart /arr. Warren Barker featuring J'lan Stewart, vocal
Encore: Impossible Dream ......................................................Mitch Leigh & Joe Darion
Blue Moon……………………………………………………….………..Rodgers & Hart /arr. Warren Barker featuring J'lan Stewart, vocal
J'lan Stewart, vocal; Cherresa Lawson, piano
Encore: Impossible Dream ...........................................................Mitch Leigh & Joe Darion
J'lan Stewart, vocal; Cherresa Lawson, piano
The Wizard of Oz.......................................................................................James Barnes
Beale Street Blues…………………………………………………….W.C. Handy / Marshall featuring the Retired Rum-Runners Traditional Jazz Band
The Wizard of Oz..............................................................................................James Barnes
The Purple Pageant………………………………………………....Karl King/ John Paynter Star Spangled Banner.............................................................................................Sousa
Beale Street Blues……………………………………………………………….………….W.C. Handy / Marshall featuring the Retired Rum-Runners Traditional Jazz Band
The Purple Pageant…………………………………………………………………....Karl King/ John Paynter
JayGephart,ArtisticDirectorandConductor CurtAlexander,announcer
Star Spangled Banner..................................................................................Sousa/Damrosch
Jay Gephart, Artistic Director and Conductor Curt Alexander, announcer
