Offutt Brass -- Hershbergers honored by arts group

Joyce Hershberger, left, accepts an award on behalf of herself and her late husband, Floyd, from the Alliance for the Encouragement of Visual and Performing Arts award from Charles and Christina Coleman. (Shary Skiles/McCook Gazette)

The Alliance for the Encouragement of Visual and Performing Arts (AEVPA) presented the second Hubert Award to Floyd (posthumously) and Joyce Hershberger of McCook at a concert on Sunday afternoon. The award is presented to honor individuals and other entities in the community who have provided leadership and exemplary service to the visual and performing arts in the McCook area. The award is symbolized by the naming of the stars on the front of the building. The first award went to the award's namesake, John and Eileen Hubert.

Floyd provided leadership in the arts community in many ways, including his support of McCook Concert Association and McCook Arts Council, his career in teaching music at McCook High School and McCook Junior College, and through the sharing of his rich bass singing voice on numerous occasions and community events. Floyd was a board member for AEVPA. He passed away in 2011.

Joyce has been the quieter, but equal, partner in many of these organizations and has shared her talents at the keyboard with numerous individuals and groups over a span of many years. She has provided the McCook area with many fine keyboardists through her teaching of children and adults. She has played for community theater performances, community chorus and as a church organist.

The U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band Offutt Brass perform at the Fox Theatre Sunday afternoon. Members include, from left, Senior Airman Alena Zidlicky, horn: Senior Airman Dan Thrower, trumpet; Staff Sgt. Carl Eitzen, trumpet; Tech Sgt. Ben Kadow, trombone; MSgt Alex Serwatowski, tuba. Not picture is Tech Sgt. Jarrett Robinett, percussion. (Shary Skiles/McCook Gazette)

The concert was performed to a full house at the Fox by the United States Air Force Heartland of America Offutt Brass and was sponsored by McCook Gazette. The six-member band performed numerous pieces. The final piece was the Armed Service Medley, where many of those in attendance stood to be recognized as active or veteran members of the various branches of the military.