Eddyville Blakesburg Student Selected to All State Band Joe Decker of Eddyville Blakesburg High School has attained the highest individual honor available to Iowa high school musicians by being selected as a member of the 2009 All State Band. Joe is the son of Ralph and Mary Decker of Ottumwa and is a student in the Eddyville Blakesburg High School Band. The 2009 Festival will celebrate the 63rd anniversary of this prestigious event. District auditions for the 279 piece All State Band, 198 piece All State Orchestra and 601 member All State Chorus were held Saturday, October 24th at six different sites around Iowa. Approximately 17% if the students who audition are selected for membership in the All-State ensembles. Participants will rehearse in Ames on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, and the Festival Concert will be presented to the public at 7:30 P.M. in Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State University, Ames, on Saturday evening, November 21, 2009. Iowa Public Television will record the concert for re-broadcast scheduled for Thursday, November 26 at 7:00 P.M. and additional re-broadcast times. This program is under the auspices of the Iowa High School Music Association and the Iowa Music Educators Association.  Joe Decker plays a solo during the Marching Band Extravaganza!!! |