Community band ushers in Daniels' term as Indiana governor

By Alison Bartels

INDIANAPOLIS - With baton in hand, governor Mitch Daniel's concluded his inauguration ceremony conducting the Newton-Jasper Community Band in a rendition of "The Washington Post March."

Band Director Joy Stowers handed over her baton to Daniels as the band began to play, bringing the story of Daniels' friendship with the band full circle.

During the early months of his campaign, Daniels became a fan of the 67-member band from Newton and Jasper counties. He first attended one of the band's rehearsals in Aug. 2003 after a personal invitation from the tenor-sax section.

According to press reports, Daniels was having dinner with some area party members at the Good Table Restaurant in Kentland when two of his dinner companions, Janice Wilson of Brook and Rosalie Mathis of Kentland, stood up and explained that they had to leave for band rehearsal. Wilson then invited Daniels to the band's Monday evening rehearsal, and he accepted.

During the practice, Stowers asked Daniels to conduct "The Washington Post."

"The band just had a ball," Stowers said.

After the piece, Mathis had a special request for Daniels. According to Stowers, Mathis asked if the group could plat at his inauguration - providing that he won. He hesitated a little bit and then said, "Sure!" Stowers relayed.

After Daniels won in November, he returned to Jasper to officially invite the band to play at his inaguration.

"I always knew he would keep his promise," Stowers told news reporters. "But I never dreamed what an important part we'd play!"

The band performed three times during the Jan. 10 ceremony. They played "The Star Spangled Banner" with two other area bands before playing the closing pieces alone.

Stowers conducted the first two pieces, but when the final piece began, she pointed her baton to the governor and he made his way to the stage.

"He handed me his jacket and went to work conducting," Stowers said. "It was icing on the cake."

Stowers explained the band's special relationship with the governor. "We are just all ordinary, normal people," she said. "But he's so personable, such a warm person, that he made everyone feel important. It just seems like a dream that a group like ours would be asked to do something like that."

The Jasper-Newton Community Band will begin performing again in April and continue with performances throughout the summer. Stowers also serves as a member of the Brushwood United Methodist Church where she plays the organ, according to her pastor, the Rev. Dennis L. Ticen. To learn more about the band, visit their Web site at http://www.liljasper.com/band/default.html.

Alison Bartles, a student at Butler University, serves as an intern in the Indiana Area communication's office.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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