Let’s create something amazing together
We have commissioned world-class professional music composer Jodie Blackshaw to create a new work for our concert band. This project is to honor John Zschunke, our RCB founder and former conductor (2011-2022) . The premier performance of this exciting new composition will occur in November 2025. Performance venue and other details forthcoming. It has been the long-time goal of the Rosemount Community Band to commission a band piece. We hope you will join us in this exciting venture to develop more music for wind band.
John Zschunke founded the Rosemount Community Band in 2011 and served as conductor until his retirement in 2022. During his 44-year career as a band director (1978-2022) John was a beloved and very popular teacher. He credited his father, who was also a band director, for instilling in him the passion for teaching music and conducting while growing up in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. During his 22-year tenure in Independent School District 196, John taught band at Rosemount Elementary School, and several years at Rosemount Middle School. He served as a teacher and mentor for thousands of students and staff over the years. John was recognized for his teaching excellence in 2018 when he was selected as the Minnesota Music Educators Association “Teacher of the Year”. John is well known for his witty fun sensor of humor and his sincere caring and compassion for all humans he encounters. He has a strong affinity for jazz music, the funk band “Tower of Power” as well as the New York Yankees baseball team. He is especially proud of his three children Benjamin, Jacob and Emma who all played in his school concert bands while growing up.
About Dr. Jodie Blackshaw (b. 1971). Jodie grew up in the southeast of rural Australia and formed a very personal relationship with music early in life through the creative application of her imagination to musical colors and movement. Today, she continues to seek creative experiences for students and musicians of all ages through her teaching and composing so they, too, may enjoy the personal relationship she discovered in her formative years. Jodie is passionate about fostering equality and diversity in concert band programming. She founded the “Female Band Composer Database” (https://www.jodieblackshaw.com/female-band-composers), and she founded “ColourFULL Music” (www.colourfullmusic.com) – both of which have earned critical praise and a large following of several thousand music educators form around the globe. In June 2022, Dr. Blackshaw launched her “Conservation Series”, an infinitely growing set of works that raises both funds and awareness surrounding climate change and endangered species. Artistic Citizenship is an important component of Blackshaw’s compositions, as she believes this enables musicians of all ages to become more emotionally engaged with their approach to music performance. In July 2022 Jodie was selected to serve on the board of directors for the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE).
LARRKIN HEEL
Composer Jodie Blackshaw is tentatively considering that the new composition be entitled “The Larrkin Heel”. These are her throughs: “Ned Kelly” is a famous and beloved Australian Outlaw/Bush Ranger (a bit like Robin Hood) who fought against corrupt British colonists in the late 1800’s. I saw one of his boots and the tour guide told us about the specialized heel on the boot, which at the time was called the “Larrkin Heel” if you saw someone wearing this kind of heel, you automatically knew the person wearing it was unique and perhaps a bit of a character. The heel was found on custom made boots, and particular features include high heels with intricate tooling. Thy were pointed and created a flamboyant swagger or almost dance like walk. I imagine a piece called the “Larrkin Heel” to be full of frivolity with some unexpected blast of goodness knows what just a hint of danger, given John’s love of “Tower of Power” and his long-time association with jazz and his great sense of humor, jovial charisma and beloved popularity with students/adults who knew him. I thought a dance piece would be most appropriate.
To be a part of this project consider donating at https://gofund.me/d708100a