PERRY, Iowa — It has been more than a year since the deadly shooting at Perry High School.

It claimed the lives of sixth-grade student Ahmir Joliff and longtime principal Dan Marburger. The community continues to heal, and one way is through music.

The Iowa Bandmasters will debut the Perry Commission Project on Monday, April 7.

It will feature a song composed by Michele Fernandez called “A Mere Moment – Bolero in Remembrance.” The premiere performance will feature Perry band students and the Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

Fernandez describes the song as poignant and inspiring, with cultural diversity and rhythmic sounds.

Perry Commission Project leaders Steve Cook and Tony Garmoe joined Cinthia Naranjo about the upcoming event.

The concert is set for Monday, April 7, at 7 p.m. at the Perry Performing Arts Center. It is free to attend. Reserved seating is required, and you can reserve your spot here.

Garmoe and Cook shared a statement on the involvement of the Iowa Bandmasters Association with the Perry Commission Project:

“The Perry Commission Project is an outreach of the Iowa Bandmasters Association.  President Kyle Engelhardt and the Board of Directors provided important support and guidance throughout the project.  The Iowa Bandmasters Association is the standard-bearing professional organization for Iowa’s band directors with a ninety-eight-year history of delivering professional development, performance opportunities, advocacy, and mentorship for Iowa’s band directors and band programs.   

The IBA Organizational Committee for the Perry Commission Project included Steven Cook, Tony Garmoe, Patrick Kearny, and Steve Shanley.  Advisory Committee members Samantha Beeman, Lisa Christensen, Alexa Gibbs, Brad Lampe, Aaron Ottmar, Courtney Ridge, Blaine Schmidt, Roxianne Scott, Pat Toben, and Kelly Weber provided state-wide representation and support.

The Iowa Bandmasters Association Perry Commission Project is honored to have received support from many individual donors, organizations, and consortium members. We extend our most sincere thanks to all who gave so generously.  We recognize three such sponsors for their early and significant commitments:  The Iowa Arts Council/Iowa Economic Development Authority for its grant award of $10,000.00; the South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association, Past-President Samantha Beeman, and President Christian Baughman; Jane Blair and Family in honor of  Donald “Guy” Blair, IBA Past-President and wonderfully respected Pella Community Schools band director, who passed away March 29, 2024.”