History of the Wartburg College Concert Bands

About the Program
The Wartburg College Concert Bands (WCCB) program is comprised of two ensembles - the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble. In the fall of each year, students must present an audition. By virtue of the demonstrated ability of that audition, students are placed into one of the two groups. Both groups represent students of all class standings and nearly all academic majors on campus. The two bands present both joint and individual concerts throughout the year.

History of the Band Program
The first mention of a Wartburg Band comes in 1898, but it disappeared from all college records immediately after its founding and didn't reappear again until 1914. The Great Depression forced the abandonment of the band program in 1931, but it was revived in 1937 until war year 1942 when the campus didn't have enough qualified musicians. Following the war, however, the band program was resumed, and it has flourished since.

In the fall of 1997 the Wartburg College Concert Band split into a two-band program. The resulting ensembles, the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble, have retained the traditions and the same high standard of excellence. For these reasons the groups remain united under the title of the Wartburg College Concert Bands. The Wind Enxemble tours abroad every three years. in 2004 the Wind Ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Director History

Ernst Heist 1935-46

Edfield Odegard 1946-52

Ernest Hagen 1952-58

Dr. Robert E. Lee 1958-95

Dr. Craig Hancock 1995-present