Dr. Kara Metzger led the Central Methodist University concert band in her final performance as Director of Bands at the Swinney Conservatory of Music on Saturday. The concert was performed before an appreciative audience that showed its approval with a standing ovation in the sanctuary of Linn Memorial United Methodist Church.

Dr. Metzger announced in early April that she would leave the conservatory after only one year to accept a job as director of athletic bands at her alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. A search for Central’s next director is ongoing.

Saturday’s concert featured alto saxophonist Brandon Prince performing “Fantasia for Alto Saxophone,” by CMU alumnus Claude T. Smith. Other pieces included members of the Swinney Conservatory faculty.

One particular highlight was the world premiere of “Encounters,” written by Jason Wise, a friend of Dr. Metzger who attended Saturday’s concert.

Dr. Metzger welcomed to the podium Madisyn Conway, a Central Methodist student who won the opportunity to conduct the second piece of the afternoon, “Suncrest,” by Rick Kirby.

A favorite of every Central Methodist concert for more than a century is the performance of “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite,” a familiar march by Karl L. King that never fails to stir the hearts of the CMU faithful. For Saturday’s performance, high school seniors who have committed to joining the Central band next year were invited on stage to play along.

The final selection on the program was the rich, stirring two-movement piece, “Give Us This Day,” by David Maslanka, and featured faculty member Dr. Melissa Simons on the piano.

Of course, no Central Methodist concert is complete without the band’s toe-tapping rendition of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” a march by John Philip Sousa. The traditional closer of CMU concerts, it features a piccolo solo, outstandingly performed by senior Casey Brooks.