A brief history University City Summer Band
University City's community band concerts began in 1961 with performances held in Heman Park and Metcalfe Park on Monday nights in June and July, but the city's concert band disappeared from the scene after 1970. A new Monday night series, the Starlight Concert Series, started in 1971 and gained in popularity, offering appearances by the most popular combos of the day.
The band today...
The University City Summer Band was revived in 1997, under the direction of Dan Presgrave and is an established venue for public music. About ninety amateur musicians, from senior citizens to teenagers, volunteer their time and talent to practice, rehearse, and perform for the community's enjoyment. The band is now under the baton of Tom Poshak.
...the conductor...
Thomas Poshak received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan. He retired in 2001 after a 30 year career as a high school band director. Mr. Poshak taught in the US Virgin Islands, in Ladue, Missouri and was the Band Director and Music Coordinator for the Kirkwood School District from 1985 until 2001. Under his direction the Ladue Symphonic Band performed at the MMEA convention in 1982, and the Kirkwood Symphonic Band received Honor I ratings at MSHSAA Festivals for twelve consecutive years and Gold Ratings at music festivals in Atlanta, Chicago and Nashville. He has held offices in the Missouri Music Educator's Association, Phi Beta Mu and the St. Louis Suburban Music Educator's Association and is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Missouri Bandmaster's Association and Phi Mu Alpha. In 2001 he received the Music Educator of the Year award from the SLSMEA and in 2004 received the Hall of Fame Award. Since retiring, Mr. Poshak has continued to teach instrumental music part time in Kirkwood and at Andrews Academy. He also performs with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra and is the assistant conductor of the St. Louis Wind Symphony.
...and our host...
Stanley E. Coleman, is a saxophonist/musician and music educator. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from Webster College in 1979 and his Master of Arts in Teaching from Webster College in 1981. He is the Director of Bands at Brittany Woods Middle School and the Jazz Band Director at University City High School. His many awards include: St. Louis Public Schools "Whatever It Takes" Award 1996, University City's PACEsetter Award (Positively Affecting Community Education) 2007, Annie Malone Children's Home Child Advocate of the Year Award 2008, Yale University's Distinguished Music Educator Award 2009. Stan presently sits on the E. Desmond Lee Collaborative Fine Arts Advisory Board at the University of Missouri St. Louis and is currently working on his Master's + 30.