The Shepherd University Department of Music announced a new ensemble, the Shepherd Symphony Band, under the direction of Dr. Scott Hippensteel. (submitted)

The Shepherd University Department of Music announced a new ensemble, the Shepherd Symphony Band, under the direction of Dr. Scott Hippensteel. The Symphony Band will meet Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center McCoy Rehearsal Hall. The Symphony Band is open to Shepherd University music majors, non-music majors, faculty, staff and community members.

The first rehearsal of the ensemble will be on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the McCoy Rehearsal Hall in the Frank Arts Center. The Symphony Band will perform in concert on Friday, Apr. 6 at 8 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater.

Dr. Scott Hippensteel, from Muncie, Ind., is visiting assistant professor of music and director of bands of Shepherd University Department of Music. Dr. Hippensteel received a bachelor of music education degree majoring in K-12 instrumental music with trombone emphasis from Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.; a master of arts degree in music and a doctor of arts degree in music with wind conducting and music education emphasis from Ball State University, Muncie, Ind. Prior to coming to Shepherd, Dr. Hippensteel was wind conducting associate and graduate assistant in music education and music theory at Ball State University and instructor of instrumental music and an adjunct instructor of music at Huntington University in Huntington, Ind.

Hippensteel has published in the Oxford University Press and holds memberships in the College Band Director’s National Association, College Music Society, International Trombone Association, Music Educator’s National Conference, National Band Association and Phi Kappa Lambda-National Honorary Music Fraternity.

Anyone interested in being part of the Shepherd Symphony Band should enroll in the course MUEN 399A.

Players are expected to provide their own instrument. For more information, contact Dr. Scott Hippensteel at 304-876-5371 or email shippens@shepherd.edu.