Hepfler takes over in Waupaca

By Robert Cloud

When the Waupaca City Band opens its summer concert series on Friday, June 16, it will have a new director.

After 37 years as band director, Mark Kryshak has passed the baton to Brianna Hepfler.

In May 2022, Hepfler became the new band director at Waupaca High School. Her responsibilities include the marching band, concert band, jazz band and wind ensemble.

She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2018 where she directed one fo the campus bands.

While at UWSP, she also worked with high school marching bands across the state.

Prior to coming to Waupaca, she was the band director for Prescott Middle School.

“I’ve known Mark Kryshak since when I was at Stevens Point,” Hepfler said. “I always heard how Waupaca was a great place to go.”

Hepfler said she went to lunch with Kryshak shortly after coming to Waupaca and they discussed the Waupaca City Band.

“He will help this summer during the transition,” she said.

Beginning June 16, the city band will perform at 7 p.m. Fridays at the bandstand in front of city hall in downtown Waupaca.

There will be seven concerts and the band will also play in the July 4 parade.

She also plans to feature some new music in the band’s concert repertoire.

“I’m a huge fan of classic rock,” Hepfler said, noting that she included music from Queen and Led Zeppelin in the Senior Tribute Concert.

She plans to continue the tradition of a children’s march at each concert, but hopes to add food trucks or concession stands to make the concert more of an event.