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...
Monica Schwartz is thrilled to be returning for a fourth season as Host of the University City Summer Band concert series. After graduating from Missouri State University with a degree in Communications, she spent several years working as a radio announcer, runway model and show producer. Monica took that experience and started "Catwalk Fashion Entertainment Group." The group can be seen performing at the Missouri History Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden and Ladies of Lucerne Tearoom, where they make frequent appearances. She is presented by the Azalea Agency working in film, industrial, and commercials. Monica enjoys "brushing up on her Shakespeare" with St. Louis Shakespeare Company and for "Murder on the Move" Dinner Theater where she performs locally and across the region. When not writing scripts or performing, you can find Monica enjoying a few of her favorite pastimes, horseback riding and ballet.