J.W. Pepper's Kansas City location is celebrating it's 50th year providing an outstanding event for music directors in the area.   The 50th Annual New Music Reading Session will be held August 6-8 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas.   This event has gone through some name changes over the years, with many folks remembering the "Wingert-Jones" reading session from years past.   When J.W. Pepper acquired Wingert-Jones music a few years ago, the name changed, but this stellar event remains a cornerstone for the local music community.

School and church choral, band and orchestra directors gather from the region to try out new music and connect with colleagues.  Marsha Steffens, manager of the Pepper Kansas City store says, "In the 15 years I've been involved in these Kansas City reading sessions, I've gotten to know many great music directors from Kansas, Missouri and neighboring states.  Whether for school or church and whether for band, orchestra, handbell or choir, these directors set a high bar for excellence in their music programs. It's a privilege to support their efforts."

Steffens offers that notable clinicians will be conducting music reading sessions at the event.   Clincians include:  Cindy Berry, Craig Courtney, Keith Christopher, Sheldon Curry, Rollo Dilworth, Mary Lynn Lightfoot, Jean Anne Shafferman, Arnold Sherman and Robert W. Smith.   This event kicks off the new season for musical performances, as Steffens further notes.  "These reading sessions provide an integral part of many directors' planning for the upcoming year, whether at school or at church. Some even plan vacations around the session schedule! We're pleased to provide this service to help them meet their musical goals."

J.W. Pepper®, leading retailer of sheet music in the world, has been in business for over 133 years, with multiple locations across the country including the corporate headquarters in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

 
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