#DFOB18 – Eastern Iowa Brass Band

Eastern Iowa Brass Band

The Eastern Iowa Brass Band performs music in the British brass band style featuring brass band originals as well as arrangements of well known popular songs. The band grew from a brass ensemble that was part of the Mt. Vernon City Band. In 1986, the growing British brass band movement in America inspired Don Stine, director of the city band, to lead a group of brass players to create the brass band as a volunteer non-profit organization. Band members come primarily from east-central Iowa and rehearsals are held in Mt. Vernon. The ensemble has entertained audiences throughout Iowa (77 towns) and across the Midwest and competes in brass band competitions.

 

Alex Beamer

Alexander Beamer is the Principle Conductor of the Eastern Iowa Brass Band and a freelance percussionist. He holds a Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Messiah College. Beamer assumed the role of Principle Conductor of Eastern Iowa in 2013 and since then the band has won numerous awards at competitions. He has been on the faculty at St. Ambrose University, as well as, a clinician for numerous state and local festivals. Most recently, Beamer was a participant in the 1st International Conducting Competition in Augsburg, Germany and a finalist for the National Association of Brass Band Conductors in Manchester, England. His conducting teachers include Dr. Jorge Perez-Gomez, Dr. Timothy Dixon and Dr. Bradley Genevro.