The Daniel Hiestand Memorial Concert: A Noteworthy Cause

CSU, Chico’s Department of Music and Theatre presents The Daniel Hiestand Memorial Concert: A Noteworthy Cause. The performance takes place Saturday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Laxson Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public. 

This concert is held annually in support of the “Hiestand Music Education Scholarship.”

The first half of the concert will be opened by the Chico State Ensemble. The second half of the show will be performed by the Alumni Band.

In 1967, Hiestand assumed the position of director of bands at Chico State College. From this position he was able to influence and have an impact on many students and educators in Northern California. He taught at all levels of publication even teaching at prisons. His strategy was simple: he believed in his students. That is why the “Hiestand Music Education Scholarship” was started in 1992. This provided Chico State instrumental music education majors with a scholarship.

Conducting the ensembles will be new CSU, Chico faculty member Chris Navarrete.

For those who need special seating accommodations, please call the University Box Office for arrangements, 530-898-6333. More information is available online at the School of the Arts’ website and Facebook page.

The annual Daniel Hiestand Memorial Concert will bring alumni from all over the U.S. back to Chico State to celebrate through music the life of a former teacher and friend.

Donations will be accepted at the door to support the Hiestand Scholarship for students in band.

“It’s a great event and a lot of fun -- everyone joins together in the one thing we have in common, music making!” said Dr. Royce Tevis, former director of University Bands at Chico State.

The Hiestand Memorial concerts have been going on since Hiestand’s passing in 1992. These concerts are an effort by the Alumni and Friends Band to remember Hiestand’s time at Chico State.

Hiestand’s wife, Marilyn H. Hiestand, his family, colleagues, and former students have set up a scholarship in his memory. Donations for the Daniel Hiestand Memorial Scholarship have provided scholarships for Chico State Music Educators Nation Conference (MENC) band members since ‘92.

“In addition to former Band Students living in California, we have had Alumni fly in from Chicago, New York, and South Carolina,” said Tevis.

Members of the Wind Ensemble are highly select and multitalented musicians who are challenged to create music at the highest of artistic levels. This ensemble is the elite performance group of the Chico State band program.

Tevis, a former student of Hiestand, said the alumni that participate in the concert have a genuine connection with their former bandmaster.

Hiestand assumed the position of Director of Bands at Chico State College in 1967. From this position he was able to influence many students and educators in Northern California. His pedagogical strategy was simple; he believed in his students. 

“He listened to us, supported us, befriended us, and let us bloom in our own time,” said Tevis. “He encouraged us while insisting on our best at all times. His rehearsals were always a work of art, with music being made during each rehearsal. He definitely was a teacher’s teacher in the best sense of the words. Those who worked with him continued to ask his advice long after we had left the University. He was always a true friend to his students.”

Not only does the concert commemorate Hiestand, it allows the alumni to reconnect with Chico State and gives students a chance to interact with the alumni, noted Tevis.

“Hopefully the audience will come away with a greater appreciation for the band as a serious ensemble of art music,” said Tevis. “We hope the music performed will touch and move their souls.”

Chris Navarrete is the new director of bands and director of the Symphonic Winds Ensemble at California State University, Chico. His position follows the retirement of Royce Tevis in the spring.

“Being the director of bands is an incredible honor at Chico State,” said Navarrete. “Previous directors Dr. Tevis and Mr. Hiestand have left an ever-lasting impact on the music community and have inspired many through music. I wish to be able to do the same.”

Navarrete is a former Chico State student, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in music and single subject teaching credential. During his time at Chico State, he directed the Concert Band and Pep Band. He was also a member of several ensembles, performing in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz X-Press, North State Symphony, Brass Quintet, Jazz Combo, Choir and Low Brass Ensemble.

He went on to receive two Master of Music degrees in music performance and jazz studies. He is currently working on completing the Doctor of Arts program in jazz studies with a secondary in jazz composition. 

Navarrete’s accomplishments also include: performing with the University of Northern Colorado Orchestra from 2014–17, premiering and touring the Alice and Wonderland Project with the University of Northern Colorado “Lab I” in China in 2016, serving as an Honor Band Director for Jazz Aspen Snowmass from 2017–present and guest lecturing at the University of Northern Colorado and Chico State from 2018–19. He will be presenting research on The Comparative Analysis of Musical and Rhythmic Vocabulary of Fats Navarro and Clifford Brown at the Jazz Education Network in New Orleans in 2020.

When the opportunity arose to become a director at Chico State, Navarrete took the chance to return to the place that has always felt like home to him.

“The relationships I developed with my professors during my undergrad program left a significant impact on me, both as an individual and educator,” said Navarrete.

In addition to being director of bands and the director of the Symphonic Winds Ensemble, Navarrete will be teaching Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Pep Band and Mixed Ensembles. He will also be assisting with the Jazz X-Press and Jazz II.

“I feel very grateful and privileged to be teaching at Chico State,” said Navarrete. “I am looking forward to continuing the excellence Dr. Tevis has established with growing music performance and education in the North State.”

The first Symphonic Winds concert, Classically Bands, takes place Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Harlen Adams Theatre. Tickets for the concert are priced at $18 adults, $16 seniors, and $6 students and youth, and are available to purchase at CSU, Chico’s University Box Office, 530-898-6333.

For those who need special seating accommodations, please call 530-898-6333. More information is available online at the School of the Arts website and Facebook page.

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Story by Shelby Casey, School of the Arts publicity assistant