The annual William Bell Memorial Tuba and Euphonium concert was held Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Perry before an appreciative crowd. The event is sponsored by the Perry Fine Arts Committee.
The annual event is held in memory of William Bell (1902-1971), world-renowned tubist and noted performer, composer and teacher. Born in Creston, Bell retired and later died in Perry.
Guest conductor and clinician Saturday was Justin Wells, the director of instrumental music at Johnston, where he has taught since 2005. Wells received both an undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education at UNI, where he participated in many ensembles. He remains active playing the euphonium with the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble and in the Boone Municipal Band.
Tuba and euphonium enthusiasts who played in Saturday’s concert gathered at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church for rehearsals. A clinic and performance followed, with the free public concert starting at 4 p.m. A short memorial performance was held at Bell’s grave site in Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry at 5:30 p.m.
