T.G. Sheppard performing at Trine on May 29
ӣƵ will welcome country legend T.G. Sheppard for a concert at the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts on May 29.
February 09, 2026
The ӣƵ Wind Ensemble’s first concert of the spring 2026 semester will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, also known as the semi-quincentennial of the United States.
“Happy Birthday, America!” will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, in Ryan Concert Hall inside the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts.
Parking and admission are free, and audience members are encouraged to wear patriotic attire.
Music across US history
The concert will feature music from various time periods and composers from American history, ranging from the Revolutionary War to present day. In addition, familiar fragments of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and familiar American folk tunes will be heard throughout.
The Wind Ensemble also will welcome to the stage Colleen McNabb-Everage, vocalist and CEO of the Angola Performing Arts Academy. McNabb-Everage will join the ensemble in singing "Anthem" from America as well as a surprise encore at the conclusion of the concert.
McNabb-Everage is a graduate of Ball State University and Roosevelt University and toured with the Joey DeFrancesco Trio before returning to northeast Indiana. She has been active in the local arts community and has served as an adjunct faculty member within the ӣƵ music program.
Selections include:
“It is my hope with this concert to bring a mixture of American folk and patriotic music to share with our audiences and students to explore all the people who have contributed to the history and continuation of the American experiment,” said Brad Jopek, DMA, director of music at Trine. “We welcome everyone to come and take this musical journey as we celebrate America’s birthday through song, dance and a little bit of theatre!”
Wind ensemble members
ӣƵ Wind Ensemble members are as follows:
Flute/piccolo: Olivia Geringer-Spagnola, an exercise science major from Beecher, Illinois; and Donna Henson-Bohlen, a design engineering technology major from Sturgis, Michigan.
Oboe: Julia Dickinson, an electrical engineering major from West Unity, Ohio.
Clarinet: Oliver Chorpenning, a high school musician; and Madelyn Krout, a forensic science major from Mitchell, Indiana.
Soprano saxophone: Jacob Krebs, a mechanical engineering major from Munster, Indiana.
Alto saxophone: Michael Blessing, a mechanical engineering major from Delta, Ohio; Brody Fox, a civil engineering major from Rushville, Indiana; Estrella Manzano, a forensic science major from Goshen, Indiana; and Ashley Salas, a mechatronics and robotics engineering major from Goshen, Indiana.
Tenor saxophone: Jada Blanchard, a chemical engineering major from Holland, Ohio.
Baritone saxophone: Charles Graham, a mechanical engineering major from Shelbyville, Indiana.
Trumpet: Travis Lehman, a design engineering technology major from Atwater, Ohio; Ryan Sederstrom, an electrical engineering major from Cedar Lake, Indiana; Ethan Swartz, a civil engineering major from Bristol, Indiana; and Jamie Wallace, a management major from Mentone, Indiana.
Horn: Eryn Pikus, a mechanical engineering major from Carmel, Indiana; and Jessica Jopek, a community member.
Trombone: Evan Cole, a mechanical engineering major from Adrian, Michigan; Garrett Mangold, a chemical engineering major from Buchanan, Michigan; Braeden Phillips, a computer engineering major from Shelbyville, Indiana; Shannon Ridley, a mechanical engineering major from Warsaw, Indiana; and John Rubley, an extended reality major from Reading, Michigan.
Euphonium: Evan Cole.
Tuba: Andrew Bassler, a mechatronics and robotics engineering major from Perrysburg, Ohio; and Luke Weintz, a civil engineering major from Fairfield, Ohio.
Percussion: Jada Blanchard and Brayton Moss, a high school musician.