INTERVIEW: Adam Keller, Director of Bands at Smoky Valley High School

Bowen Boyack of KBN: So tell me about the SVHS Band Program.

Adam Keller: Smoky Valley, USD 400, is a 3A school located in Lindsborg Kansas. We serve the communities of Lindsborg, Marquette, Assaria, Falun, and Salemsburg. The music tradition here is quite rich thanks to the likes of previous directors such as Dan King, Doug Talbott, and the KMEA Hall-of-famer Jay Steinberg. The Smoky Valley bands have made numerous appearances at the KMEA ISW and regularly feature multiple members of the All-State Ensembles. I took the reigns 3 years ago, when previous director, Shawn Knopp became the Director of Bands at Tabor College.

BB: What inspired the musical selections you are playing this year?

AK: My inspiration for musical selections this year came from my organization of our extensive music library. We upgraded to a new filing system in August. This allowed me to put my hands on thousands of pieces of music. I was able to find some hidden gems and some classic literature that hadn't been performed since the early 60's. I was also able to spend some time with the Boston Brass this fall and was introduced to Astor Piazzola's unique and moving music.

BB: What Competitions did you go to this marching season?

AK: The Viking bands are unique in that we don't march. Every spring we participate in the McPherson County May Day Parade, and every other year we lead the Svensk Hyllingsfest Parade through downtown Lindsborg. That is the extent of our marching. The tradition of our program is to focus on concert band. We give concerts early in the year. We performed mid-September and again at the end of November. We do support our football team at each home game, from the stands as a Pep Band.

BB: Tell me about the upcoming trips you will be taking.

AK: We are actually preparing for a trip to the Denver area this spring break. Our band, orchestra, and choir will spend 4 days enjoying Colorado and performing at churches, museums, and possibly a veterans hospital. Through considerable fundraising we were able to cover more than a third of each student's cost. It should be a great time.

BB: What concert band repertoire are your bands playing this year? When are your upcoming performances?

AK: Our spring schedule moves quickly. Our league (Central Kansas League) music festival is February 27. We then host State Large Group, in our building April 10, and we conclude our concert season with a home concert May 3. We like to feature senior musicians on that final concert and one of the pieces we will be performing is Oblivion by Astor Piazzola, as well as Bukvich's Voodoo. That concert will also feature one of the initial performances of a Daniel Morel piece (Premiere at FHSU 3/7) that we helped to have commissioned this year. This semester we will be working toward a KMEA ISW Audition with the preparation of: Brighton Beach (Latham), Ballad and Dance (Vinson), Declaration Overture (CT Smith), and Gavorkna Fanfare (Stamp).

BB: Looking forward to 2019, any other plans you would like to share?

AK: Our plans for 19-20 will be molded greatly by whether or not we will be given privilege to perform at the 2020 KMEA ISW. One of my favorite pieces is Fanfare Canzonique (Brian Balmages). I would love to give a performance of that piece on the Century II concert hall stage. We will also be excited to welcome guests to our "Little Sweeden" community during the 2019 Hyllningsfest celebration in October. We will be commemorating Lindsborg's 150 anniversary. 

Thank you, Mr. Keller, for your time. Best of luck to you and the Viking Bands in Denver this Spring.