Garret Arensdorf, a Wartburg alum, is serving as the interim director of bands for the 2026 winter and May terms while Wartburg searches for a permanent director.
Before coming to Wartburg, Arensdorf taught as a 5th-12th grade band director at North Iowa Community Schools and an adjunct director at Waldorf University. For Arensdorf, working with each age group has been a uniquely fulfilling experience.
“I love working with music with all ranges of kids and students. In the higher education sense, it is really nice being able to work on a more mature, more musical aspect of things,” says Arensdorf. “We’re no longer fixing wrong notes or wrong rhythms, so we’re able to be a lot more musical and discover composer intent and things along those lines.”
Regardless of age or location, Arensdorf has maintained a common goal of fostering an inclusive learning environment.
“My primary goals are meeting those students where they are, seeing what they’re loving about Wartburg College and what they maybe want the college to be, then doing my best to give it to them,” says Arensdorf.
Arensdorf says coming back to Wartburg as a professor is a unique experience from an alumni perspective.
“It’s surreal. It’s unique because it’s a place where I hold a lot of good things in my heart,” says Arensdorf. “I have a lot of memories, particularly in this building, where I went to classes and rehearsals, where I sat in seats. Now I’m in a different role, on the other side of the podium or the lecture where I get to teach these students.”
In addition to teaching, Arensdorf is currently studying at the University of Northern Iowa to complete his master’s in wind conducting.
“I’m still writing a thesis and going to classes and attending rehearsals, and we have a Scotland trip that we’re going to attend for UNI’s band,” says Arensdorf. “There’s a lot of moving parts, but it’s less outside work for me and I can really then just focus entirely on Wartburg, which has been really beneficial.”
Current music students have experienced three directors within the band program. Arensdorf encourages students to continue taking initiative within their ensembles, believing that they are the essence of their groups in the midst of director changes.
“It’s their combined effort, their combined incentive and idea of what it should be that stays true and constant, regardless of who’s in front of them, conducting and waving their hands around or giving instruction,” says Arensdorf. “As long as the students are buying in and staying passionate about the ensembles that they love, then I think the future is bright for Wartburg College.”
To follow the Wartburg College Concert Bands and their events, visit their Instagram and Facebook accounts, or email Arensdorf at [email protected] for more information.
