The Prairie Brass Band from Chicago has announced its new conducting team after an extensive process following the decision of their first Music Director, Dallas Niermeyer to step down from the podium after 16 years.

New team

Mary Barnes-Gingrich, will take over the post of Music Director, with Peter Held as Co-Music Director. Meanwhile, Dallas Niermeyer has accepted the post of Director Emeritus on Staff.

Mary Barnes-Gingrich has been a member of the Prairie Band for six years, the first five as solo tenor horn and currently as conductor.

Outstanding

A graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in performance, Mary has enjoyed an outstanding professional musical career, working under the likes of Zubin Mehta, as well as being an award winning painter and print maker.

Mary’s first experience with a brass band came at a day-long symposium in Durham where she played with the Fishburn Band.

A graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in performance, Mary has enjoyed an outstanding professional musical career, working under the likes of Zubin Mehta4BR

Collaborative

Peter Held has worked with the Prairie Brass Band over the last two years, starting with collaborative efforts between the band and the school where he teaches.

He graduated from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and for the last three years has been the music director for Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights directing the high school orchestra, middle school band, and beginning band.