March 29, 2024

Clarke band to premiere song composed by Melody DeVos

Local talent will be showcased in many forms at Clarke High School band's winter concert.

"Unexpected Connections," a musical piece written by Melody DeVos will be premiered at the event, which is scheduled 7 p.m. Dec. 17.

DeVos statement

In the program for the event, DeVos wrote, "'Unexpected Connections'" was written for the Clarke Community High School Band, an ensemble I was privileged to be a part of years ago. The band is fortunate to be under the direction of Brad Lampe, and the bassoon solo in this piece was written specifically for his son Mitch. The title symbolizes my ties to my small-town high school alma mater, even after years of college and many travels and adventures elsewhere. The piece features surprising harmonic and stylistic shifts, and may, therefore, be perceived as random at times, but two melodies recur in various guises throughout the piece and give it a sense of unity."

DeVos, who graduated from Clarke Community High School in 2006, is pursuing a career in music composition. She received bachelor's degrees in trumpet performance and music composition from Drake University and a master's degree in music composition from Central Michigan University in May.

DeVos is currently saving her money to attend a university to obtain her doctorate degree in composition.

Local support

Brad Lampe, Clarke High School band director, said, "The Clarke band is very proud of Melody and her achievements, and they wanted to be the first band to commission a work written by her. It is very exciting to be able to have the premiere of this piece be right here in Osceola, and hopefully, it will be the first of many pieces that she will write and have performed in her career."