Andrew Yates, Conductor
Andrew Yates was announced as the group’s Conductor at the end of the 2022 Summer Concert Season. Mr. Yates holds a B.A. in music from Mid America Nazarene University. He has studied percussion and conducting at the UMKC Conservatory of Music. Mr. Yates has performed as a percussionist throughout the U.S. He has written music arrangements for Marilyn Maye, The Kansas City Symphony and famed trumpeter “Doc” Severinsen. Mr. Yates has been active in Kansas City radio since 1987. He is currently the manager of public affairs for Bott Radio Network and anchor/reporter for KMBZ Kansas City.
Jerry Gipson, Associate Conductor
Gerald “Jerry” Gipson was announced as the group’s Associate Conductor effective July 2022. Jerry received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music where he studied percussion with Charmaine Asher Wiley. He studied advanced conducting with David Worthington of UMKC and Dr. Craig Fuchs of Pittsburg State University. Jerry is a founding member of the Kansas John Philip Sousa Junior Honor Band and served on the Executive Committee from 2003-2016.
Jerry retired in 2017 following a 42-year teaching career, all in Kansas. Jerry began his career at Nallwood Junior High School in Shawnee Mission in January of 1973. Positions at Olathe North High School and Arrowhead Middle School followed. Jerry retired after 26 years as Director of Bands at Oxford Middle School in Blue Valley.
Jerry served as both the Middle Level Band Chair and Middle Level Orchestra Chair for the Northeast Kansas Music Educators Association. He served as a co-conductor of the Olathe Area Youth Symphony for nine seasons and was a guest conductor at the Midwestern Music Camp for seven summer sessions. His bands performed for the Kansas Music Educators In-Service Workshop on seven occasions.
Jerry was inducted into the KMEA Hall of Fame in February of 2018. He continues to be active as a substitute teacher, clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator.
Cletson Cox, Retired
Cletson Cox joined the band in 1983 and became the assistant conductor in 1984. He remained in that position for 26 years before moving to the position of Conductor in 2010. He announced his retirement effective July 10, 2022, signing off with the apropos music “23 Skidoo.”
Mr. Cox received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1969 and his Master of Music degree in 1975 from Emporia State University, where he studied trumpet with Peter Ciurczak. Mr. Cox is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfornia Honorary Music Fraternity, Phi Beta Mu National School Bandmaster Fraternity, past member of Kansas Music Educators Association and Music Educators National Conference. Mr. Cox taught instrumental music in Madison, Newton and Wichita, Kansas, as well as in the Shawnee Mission school district. He has been conductor-clinician and adjudicator in Kansas. Mr. Cox is an active member of the Episcopal Church and is a past Master of the Masonic Lodge. He is retired from United Parcel Service after 26 years of service.
Leadership History
The Overland Park Civic Band was organized in 1938 as the Northeast Johnson County Community Band with Mr. John Francis as the first conductor. James P. Kelly followed Mr. Francis as conductor from 1953–1965. He was succeeded by Dr. David Circle from 1965–1968, and George Alter was director from 1968–1971. Frank Fendorf served as OPCB conductor from 1971–2009. After 26 years as assistant conductor, Cletson Cox served in the position of conductor from 2010–2022.
Elected Board
In addition to the conductor and associate conductor positions, the band’s board of officers includes six elected, volunteer positions from the band at large and is assisted by a music librarian. Current leadership is as follows:
Tom Mahan, President
Vacant, Vice President
Amy Schwartz, Secretary/Treasurer
Terry Moran, Woodwind Board Member
Lynn Garrison, Brass Board Member
Aimee Viall, Board Member at Large
Susan Stricklin, Librarian