The premiere of a new musical work honoring the memories of Ahmir Jolliff and Dan Marburger, entitled “A Mere Moment — Bolero in Remembrance” by Michele Fernández, will be performed Monday, April 7, 2025, in the Perry Performing Arts Center.
The four-minute bolero for wind ensemble was commissioned by the Iowa Bandmasters Association Perry Commission, according to Steven Cook, a cofounder of the commission and manager of the Perry PAC. The project was made possible through the support of IBA donors, consortium members, the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The April performance will feature the Perry High School Band, under Directors Lisa Christensen and Blaine Schmidt, in collaboration with the Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Brad Lampe, Director of Bands at Central College in Pella.
Fernández, a composer residing in Miami and the former instrumental music director of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, described on her Facebook page how the composition came about:
“If I never write another work again, I would feel grateful at this being the last one. Ahmir Jolliff was only 11 years old when he perished in the Perry school shooting on Jan. 4, 2024.
“He played tuba in the school band. He was such a friendly kid that his nickname was ‘Smiley.’
“The principal, Dan Marburger, lost his life as well — literally shielding the kids even after he was wounded.
“I almost declined this commission for several reasons (iykyk), but when the title, ‘A Mere Moment,’ came to mind out of nowhere, I knew it was fitting on too many levels, and I wanted to give the families a memorial gift from someone who understands their loss at a deep level.
“The request was a Gr.3(-) lyrical for Concert Band (@4 min), not necessarily sad but instead poignant and inspiring — and, of course, to add in cultural diversity and rhythmic interest (for Ahmir).
“So a gentle, multi-ethnic groove with a childlike innocence (flutes) and sweeping lines, woven into a Bolero tapestry, with Mideastern hints added, seemed fitting.
“Although the build from 2:40 to the climax is intensely anguished at having to ask ‘Why?’ yet again . . . it is also intensely hopeful, and the end is a float to peace that just flowed that way, unplanned, as a solo flute (angel-child) leads the solo tuba (Ahmir) and solo euph (Dan) gently upwards . . .
“This post is a preview to commemorate the anniversary. A memorial event in Perry will premiere this dedicatory work at their ceremony in April.
“I feel grateful to the Iowa Bandmasters Association (and project board members) for the trust. When they finally hear it in April, I hope Ahmir and Dan’s families will all feel this writer’s understanding, and reverence in every measure.”
