The Central Methodist University band delivered an exceptional performance before a packed house worthy of a final send off for one of Missouri’s most celebrated band directors. Skip Vandelicht will retire at the conclusion of the spring semester.

Vandelicht, a 1977 graduate of Central, has served as band director at his alma mater for the last 15 years. Prior to that, he was band director for the Fayette school district for 31 years.

A highlight of Sunday’s concert was the outstanding performance of, “Amidst the Angels,” a piece commissioned in honor of the late Paul Copenhaver, who was the longtime band director at Moberly and one of Vandelicht’s closest friends. Composer Joseph Pappas was in attendance to hear the emotional rendition. 

The concert opened on a high note with a performance of the Karl L. King march, “The Soaring Eagles,” arranged by Central Methodist alumnus Andrew Glover, who was also in attendance.

Crowd favorites included, “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite,” the Karl L. King march that has become synonymous with the Central band, and the concert’s closer, “Chorale and Shaker Dance,” by John Zdechlik. Senior trombonist Makenzie Sisney and clarinetist Jessica Arnold delighted concertgoers with solo performances.

The band closed out Sunday’s concert with its trademark encore performance of John Phillip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” complete with a piccolo solo by Casey Brooks.

Vandelicht gave his final bow during a standing ovation, before greeting friends, parents, and former students at a reception in the university’s Assembly Hall.