Board of directors
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Manager, Patty Babb
Patty Babb is personnel manager of the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra. She is one of four individuals (Mary Shaeffer, Bill Dew and Dick Schlegel) who created the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra with the full support of Lyle Hellyer, President of Indian Hills Community College. She was concert mistress/manager of the OSO for the first 20 years after which time she retired from the concert chair and became manager full-time. Patty taught 32 years in the Ottumwa School District and still teaches a small studio of string students. Her favorite activity away from music is fishing.
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President, Maggie Morrissey
It has been my pleasure to have served on the Symphony Board since 2005. I was winding down a career as a music teacher to a part time position, and becoming involved with the Ottumwa Symphony was a great way to spend some newly acquired free time. Much to my delight, the folks serving on that Board were energetic, creative, hard working and welcoming. That remains true to this day!
In 2009, I became President of the Board, an experience that was (and continues to be) both frightening and exciting! From 2014 to 2017, Sally Phippen assumed the presidency, and I began a second term as president in late 2017. We have said goodbye to board members and welcomed new folks who have brought special talents and enthusiasm. We have searched for a Conductor and Music Director and are thrilled to have Dr. William LaRue Jones on board in that capacity. One of my favorite aspects of this activity is watching seasons, concerts and events take shape, growing into excellent and distinctive experiences for our musicians, our staff and our patrons and audience members. To say that I am proud to be associated with this organization would be an understatement, and I love the support and encouragement provided by our patrons and audience members. My husband, Bob also serves on the Board and we really enjoy partnering on this project. We are the proud parents of two daughters, the grandparents of eight, and great grandparents of one! |
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Treasurer, Kim Ardueser
Kim has been on the OSO board since 2011 and the Guild since 2010. She is a native Ottumwan and graduated from OHS and Buena Vista. She is the wife of Bill, the proud mother of three grown and independent children Clint, Andy and Jill, and mistress of goldendoodle pup Mabel.
Kim retired after 30 years of working for the State of Iowa, most of that as an auditor. In her spare time, she applies her accounting experience in volunteer roles in support of the Tenco finance board and helping to organize class reunions. She also enjoys golf, bowling leagues, cooking and crocheting prayer shawls/lap blankets. Kim is a cancer survivor and advocate for early detection. |
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Secretary, Barb Sasseen
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Balance of board membership
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Sally Phippen
My husband and I moved to Ottumwa in 1986. My first introduction to the Ottumwa Symphony came when a friend invited us to the Christmas Ball. I was totally enchanted by the event and jumped at the chance to join the guild to help plan it the next year. A few years later I joined the board of directors and served as President from 2014-2017. I currently chair the Education and Outreach Committee of the board and invite you to share with me any ideas to help engage our communty. My son enjoyed playing in the OHS orchestra during his high school career under the tutelage of our orchestra manager Patty Babb. Having no musical talent of my own I have contented myself with enjoying and promoting the talents of those who perform with the OSO.
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Diane Dowling
I joined the Ottumwa Symphony Board about 10 years ago. I worked in Ottumwa Schools for over 42 years – being an elementary teacher and then a middle school counselor. I was active in music all through my time both as a student and a teacher. I have played the organ in several churches in Ottumwa and have sung in several church choirs. I’ m married and have a 5year old granddaughter.
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Dan Dowling
I joined the Ottumwa Symphony about 5 years ago. I am a retired pharmacist. I enjoy the friendships with other board members and being able to contribute to the arts in Ottumwa. I enjoy playing golf. I am married and have a 5 year old granddaughter.
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Mary Beth Hammer
Serving on the symphony board a second time is such an honor. The first time on the board I started our Fall Dinner, the Super Conductor, and various other fundraisers!
It is a privilege working and promoting our own Ottumwa Symphony! After graduating from Drake University I taught school in the Ottumwa school system. I enjoy working on civic projects and twice co-chaired RAGBRAI, co-chaired the capital campaign for the McCreery Cancer Center, and Light the Viaduct. I’ve served on the boards for Pennsylvania Place, American Homefinding, United Way, and the University of Iowa Parents board. My husband and I were blessed with 3 sons —Mike, Ron, and Chuck, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. |
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Alex Morley
Alex is new to the board as of February 2020. He is a native Iowan, and graduated from Fort Madison High School. He graduated from the University of South Dakota, and after a brief stint in Missouri he returned to Iowa and has called Ottumwa home since 2012. Alex has worked as a financial advisor since 2009, and in his free time enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife Patricia. In addition to the OSO, he serves on the Alumni board of the Ottumwa Leadership Academy. He is excited to support the arts here in southeast Iowa.
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Jennifer Wilson
Dr. Jennifer Wilson recently returned to Iowa from Rochester, Minnesota to join the Indian Hills Community College leadership team as the Dean of Arts and Sciences. When asked to become a board member Jennifer jumped at the opportunity and is excited to lend Ottumwa Symphony her talents. Jennifer has been married to her husband Tim for twenty-five years and they have three adult children; Cole, Cale and Cade. Jennifer and her husband graduated from St. Olaf College. During their time at St. Olaf they found their love for attending various Fine Art events such as the famous St. Olaf Christmas Festival, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts, and watching theatre productions at the Ordway in St. Paul. Jennifer is excited to once again have a large presence of music in her life and is looking forward to meeting new friends.
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Janet Vinyard
Janet is a retired teacher with Ottumwa Schools, having taught all grades kindergarten through 8th grade, most recently with the Talented and Gifted Program. She has with served with pride on the OSO Board for 18 years, taking care of personal donations and is grateful to the many generous supporters of the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra!
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Pam DeBoer
Pam is new to the board as of May 2021, having served on the Symphony Guild prior to this. She is a long-time music teacher, having taught in the Des Moines area, Calgary, Alberta (Canada), and for the past 20 years in the Ottumwa School District. Pam currently directs the 7th and 8th grade Evans Middle School band, directs the Evans drama productions, and assists at Ottumwa High School with the color guard. In her spare time, she enjoys participating in community theater, gardening, travelling and serves as organist at Trinity Episcopal Church in Ottumwa. Pam looks forward to supporting the Ottumwa Symphony in this new role.
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Bob Morrissey
I became a board member of the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra in 2005, as Indian Hills Community College (the home of the Symphony) needed a representative on the board. I had always admired the core of musicians who wished to continue serve the Ottumwa community after Sister St. John retired from Indian Hills, resulting in birthing the Symphony at the College in 1987. No one could have dreamed how the Symphony has matured over the past 35 years, as the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra is now recognized among the finest symphonies in Iowa. I am proud to be associated with the talented and accomplished musicians that have emerged as well as the leadership of Music Director & Conductor Dr. William LaRue Jones and Associate Conductor David Sharp.
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Henry Weberpal
Henry Weberpal moved to Ottumwa, Iowa in August of 2016 to teach strings to students throughout the Ottumwa Community School District. He currently is the Ottumwa High School orchestra director, as well as the co-teacher for the beginning 5th grade orchestra. Along with teaching his students, Henry also plays cello with the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra.
Henry received his BA in Music Education and Cello Performance from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. During his time as an undergrad he studied composition with Dr. Jacob Bancks, where he wrote multiple short works for various instrumentations. Henry has been able to utilize his experience with composition by arranging parts for his students, as well as creating original works or his own during his spare time. |
meet other outstanding members
musicians
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featured artists
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conductors
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