Twist and Shout • 0223

PUBLISHER

terry christensen tchristensen@messengernews.net

HR/ACCOUNTING

melissa wendland mwendland@messengernews.net

DESIGN COORDINATOR

nick manwarren nmanwarren@messengernews.net

SALES MANAGER/CONSULTANT

leanne darr ldarr@messengernews.net

jody kayser jkayser@messengernews.net

charlene peterson cpeterson@messengernews.net

EDITOR

bill shea bshea@messengernews.net

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

hailey brueschke

tom tourville

lori berglund

Iowa Central’s Spring Musical moves to New Space: BHS Auditorium

Iowa Central is in the midst of Amazing Transformation! Many in our region have heard by now that we are making tremendous headway on our major remodel and substantial upgrade to our theatre performance and preparation spaces that center around Decker Auditorium. When the project is finished, we will unveil an extraordinary Center for Performing Arts which will light up not only the campus, but our entire community and region. We will be able to draw professional performers to our area—in addition to offering an incredible performance experience for the plethora of talents already active in Fort Dodge and beyond.

In the meantime, however, we are still in the business of featuring and continuing the training of our talented Iowa Central students. During this season of waiting, we have been creative and innovative in adding value to their experience here. With that in mind, I’m excited to share that our Music & Theatre team has selected a spring musical tailor-made not only for our student talent, but also for our intimate setting in the Bio Health Science Auditorium. The space has worked beautifully for our fall play, and vocal and instrumental music concerts. Audiences have commented enthusiastically about how close they are now to the action. The parking has also been a breeze. The BHS is located on the south side of the campus and can be accessed easily from the Kenyon Road entrance. Parking is directly across from the Bio Health Science building—in the Iowa Works parking lot. Parking is also easily accessible in the AST Parking Lots 3 and 4.

As our team was collaborating—which includes me as the show’s director, Will Lopes and Paul Bloomquist as

music directors, Ashley Garst as technical director along with Scott Deuel as assistant and Emily Eastwood on choreography—we were searching for unique musicals that could fit our challenges this year. Will discovered a show so new that it only opened to licensing from Musical Theatre International right as our search began. It premiered at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in June 2022 in Nashville, so we are among the first amateur groups to secure it.

Here’s how MTI describes their recent acquisition:

The show was conceived and developed by Brian Kelley (of Florida Georgia Line) and his production company CuzBro Productions, in partnership with Lively McCabe Entertainment, and BMG. Co-written by Troy Britton Johnson, Todd Johnson, and Eric Pfeffinger, the musical features arrangements, and orchestrations by Brian Usifer. Suitable for all audiences, May We All features an authentic country score of hit songs made famous by Florida Georgia Line, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Dolly Parton, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, and many more. The show also introduces two original songs co-written by Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, debuting exclusively via May We All.

Drew Cohen, President, and CEO of MTI stated, “Given the initial response to May We All, we are thrilled to offer this funny and moving new show, featuring some great characters and many of the biggest and mostrecognizable Country Music Hits. Audiences have fallen in love with the story and find that the recognition factor

by Teresa Jackson, Director of Theatre

MAY WE ALL takes us to Harmony, Tennessee, “the town that sings” where music used to echo through every part of town. But the community has fallen on hard times with businesses closing and the population dwindling. Returning home after two years is local country music singing sensation, Jenna Coates, who left Harmony to pursue her dreams of discovery in Nashville. In her absence, Jenna has led the locals to believe that she’s made it—but it’s all a lie. She never found her break, and she returns home to strained relationships and a town in need of rejuvenation. Her journey will resonate to all those who have faced defeat, persevered, found hope and courage, and ultimately triumphed.

A unique element in the original production was the surprise appearance of a professional country singer to perform in the closing scene. For our run, we are inviting a blend of stellar alumni singers and other guest artists to fill this role.

Since the capacity of BHS Auditorium is significantly smaller than Decker Auditorium, this feel-good musical will have a run of seven nights. So, mark your calendars to reserve your seats for March 1-7 with evening shows opening at 7:00 p.m. from Wednesday-Saturday (1st-4th) followed by a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee (5th) and closing with 7:00 p.m. evening shows Monday-Tuesday (6th-7th).

Tickets will be $15 for adults and $10 for students with Iowa Central faculty, staff and students attending for free. Tickets will be on sale at the Iowa Central bookstore or online: the link to the website is https://secure.iowacentral. edu/bookstore/Details.asp?ProdID=1277&category=6. The other option is to log on to www.iowacentral.edu/ bookstore and click on tickets--on the top row menu bar in the middle. Tickets will be available at the door, but due to a more intimate setting—with fewer seats available each night—we highly encourage reserving seats ahead of time so that we can accommodate all patrons who want to attend. All seats are general seating, so coming early will be beneficial for securing seats.

cast list:

COATES FAMILY:

Jenna - Malaney Butrick

Harley - Dennis Morgan

Crystal - Maddy Vinchattle

Kylie - Andrea Grundon

TOWNSPEOPLE:

Liz - Erin Shinn

Joe - Bo Tracy

Stephanie - Josie Harvey

Dustin - Logan Klein

RuAnn - Grace Minor

Mayor - Cameron Swanson

Tammy - Val Cazares

Wilbur - Jeremiah Brown

Angie - Gracie Arnts

Stan - Sean Peters

Ruby - Shelby Queen

Earl - Adonis Henderson

Suzanne - Kate Tyre

PJ - Dominic Hammel

Lesley Chavez

Owen Brent

Lexi Flatness

Jaden Gonzales

Ashley Hendrickson

Nate Kuehnast

Anyston Henning

Sam Mooney

Annaka Holthaus

Zayne Smith

Denver Maschmann

Drew Stanek

Rebecca Rainwater

Ashley Reicks

Sophie Smith

Lexi Downs

FEATURED DANCERS:

Rianna Vivens

Taylor Kruger

Kali Peters

Brielle Wernimont

REHEARSAL ASSISTANTS:

Hailey Davis

Kendra Morris

Shelby Stoffa

The Vagina Monologues comes to Fort Dodge What’s in a name?

It’s more than the name lets on. It’s women, their lives, their challenges. Since it first debuted in New York in 1996, critics have showered it with acclaim and deemed it one of the most important plays in the last quarter century.

The Vagina Monologues started as a one-woman show and is now presented most often with multiple actors, strong characters offering up thought-provoking scenes for today’s world.

A blockbuster wherever it opens, The Vagina Monologues is now being produced by the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association in collaboration with Fort Dodge Pride. Shelly Bottorff serves as director, with Kyrie Borsay as assistant director.

“I always love a good collaboration,” Bottorff said. “The more the merrier. Fort Dodge Pride is the perfect partner for this production. Everyone is welcome to participate in the arts, in theatre, and to participate in events that open minds and bring understanding to topics that may be difficult to talk about.”

The local production features Alyssa Sparks, Nicole Tracy, Jamie Varangkounh, Rhianon Rippke-Koch and Caitlin Delaney Grogan. (See the side-bar story see what the actors have to say about the show.)

Described as a ‘character driven’ production, The Vagina Monologues was written by Playwright and feminist activist V, formerly known as Eve Ensier, from her original interviews with some 200 women, broaching subjects often considered taboo, but now being brought to the forefront. Actresses deliver their performances as personal monologues, each from varying backgrounds and experiences.

by Lori Berglund

Unlike most plays that stick to one script, this play has actually evolved and adapted over the years as V has edited and added to the topics under discussion in the varying monologues. Few topics are off-limits in this far-reaching play. Women’s sexuality, the stigma that still lingers around abuse and rape, are just a few of the topics that will be broached in the personal monologues.

The show ran off-Broadway for five years and then toured the United States, where each performance reportedly drew a following of women who stayed after the show, wanting to share their own experiences. It’s a show that stays with its audiences, recalling memories, and driving discussions into the future.

The goal of this sometimes-difficult discussion, according to organizers, is simple: to bring attention to violence against women and girls, and to demand that it end, Bottorff noted.

Show dates are slated for Thursday, Feb. 9, Friday, Feb. 10, and Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association’s auditorium at Phillip’s Middle School. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with the play to get underway at 7 p.m. Playgoers are encouraged to come early, mingle with friends, and enjoy a beverage available for purchase from the on-site bar.

Tickets are $15 each and are now available at Shiny Top Brewing at 520 Central Ave. All tickets are general admission and will also be available at the door prior to each performance.

Actors In Their Own Words

Local performers offer thoughts on The Vagina Monologues

by Lori Berglund

In their own words, actors in the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association’s production of The Vagina Monologues offer their views on this ground-breaking work. The play is produced in collaboration with Fort Dodge Price and will be presented Feb. 9 – 11 at the Fine Arts Association auditorium at Phillips Middle School.

Caitlin Delaney Grogan – started acting in middle school, most recent production was a play at Iowa Central Community College.

“My favorite thing is that the show contributes to the goal of making human bodies and sexuality less taboo to speak about. Not speaking about these things causes emotional and sometimes even physical damage in the long run, so it is our responsibility to break that barrier.

“I wanted to participate in this show because I’m interested in supporting Kyrie Borsay in whatever she does. She’s a great person with some big ideas for this town! I also really enjoy acting.”

Nicole Tracy – a veteran of Hawkeye Community Theatre, loves being on stage, and gives a shout out to family and friends for always encouraging her to follow her passion to perform.

“It’s actually an honor to be a part of something so important. A lot of people aren’t aware of the power this show has and how it will change your life by hearing it,

“My first experience with the show was when we moved back to Fort Dodge. It was eye-opening, and a shock. It should be. It needs to be performed more for all audiences; all ages, all beliefs, all opinions and all genders. This is so important”

Jamie Varangkounh – studied theater in college, active in community theatre and dance performances.

“I enjoy the message and the female camaraderie this show brings to the cast and audience. It creates an experience that lasts with everyone who is involved, even after many years.

“I’ve been involved in the show before and I know the power of the message it contains. I wanted to bring this message to a different audience and promote positive female roles. I would love to give a shout-out to all the powerful women represented in the show in my life, and the men who empower us.

Rhiannon Rae Rippke-Koch – active in FDSH musicals Crazy for You, Anything Goes, Meet Me in St. Louis, as well as senior showcase events in college.

“I wanted to be a part of this show because I love the message it brings, and to show my children and grandchildren that it is never too late to try new things.

“I want to thank my wife Sophia, my children, who put up with my craziness. To my fellow board members of the Fort Dodge Pride Festival and to Shelly (Bottorff) and the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association for partnering with FD Price Fest and

Thursday, Feb. 9, Friday, Feb. 10, and Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association’s auditorium at Phillip’s Middle School. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with the play to get underway at 7 p.m.

Pulse THE S &

LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR

Trivia with Webster County Conservation

6:30 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

FEBRUARY 10

The Vagina Monologues

Doors open at 6:15 pm

7:00 pm

Phillip’s Middle School presented by the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association

Neil Anders

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

FEBRUARY 11

The Vagina Monologues

Doors open at 6:15 pm

7:00 pm

Phillip’s Middle School presented by the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association

FEBRUARY 12

Bingo

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

FEBRUARY 2

J. Jeffery Messerole

LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Shiny Top Brewing • 520 Central Ave

Macrame Feather Craft

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

FEBRUARY 3

Brazilian Jazz Project

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

FEBRUARY 4

State Speech Contest - Large Group

Sioux City East High School

3200 S Cypress St • Sioux City, IA

FEBRUARY 5

Daddy Daughter Dance 2023

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Cardiff Center at Fort Frenzy • 3232 1st Ave s

FEBRUARY 6

Fort Dodge Growth Alliance

Member Meet & Eat

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Friendship Haven • 420 Kenyon Road

FEBRUARY 9

The Vagina Monologues

Doors open at 6:15 pm

7:00 pm

Phillip’s Middle School presented by the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association

Soldier Creek Winery

FEBRUARY 14

Singing Valentines

St. Ed’s High School Students

All Day • Call to schedule 920 3rd Ave South

FEBRUARY 16

HS Pops Concert

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Fort Dodge Middle School

800 North 32nd Street

Trevor Hill

LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Shiny Top Brewing • 520 Central Ave

FEBRUARY 17

NCIBA 7/8 Concer Band Clinic

Middle School Students

Fort Dodge Middle School

800 North 32nd Street

Shrek Jr. Musical Productions

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Webster City Community Theatre 1001 Willson Ave • Webster City, IA

Britches and Hose

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

Spirituals Jazz & Folk Songs

A Black History Month Celebration

7:00 PM

Fort Dodge Opera House

Special Guest: Brazilian Jazz Project Free Admission

FEBRUARY 18

Jazz Encounter

HS Jazz/Show Choir-St. Ed’s High School Students

1304 E. 1st Ave Indianola • Indianola, IA

NCIBA 7/8 Concer Band Clinic

Middle School Students

Fort Dodge Middle School 800 North 32nd Street

Shrek Jr. Musical Productions

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Webster City Community Theatre 1001 Willson Ave • Webster City, Ia

FEBRUARY 19

Shrek Jr. Musical Productions

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Webster City Community Theatre 1001 Willson Ave • Webster City, IA

Karl King Band 2023 Winter Season Concert

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Fort Dodge Middle School

800 North 32nd Street

FEBRUARY 20

NCIBA District Jazz Festival

High School Students

Clear Lake High School

125 N 20th St • Clear Lake, IA

FEBRUARY 23

Sacred Concert-St. Ed’s Music Students

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Holy Trinity Parish • 2501 6th Ave. N.

Fort Dodge, IA

Solo Accoustic Republic LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Shiny Top Brewing

520 Central Ave • Fort Dodge, IA

FEBRUARY 24

District Speech Showcase

FDSH Speech Students

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Fort Dodge Senior High

819 North 25th Street • Fort Dodge, IA

Shrek Jr. Musical Productions

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Webster City Community Theatre

1001 Willson Ave • Webster City, IA

Tom Shadonix

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

FEBRUARY 25

District Speech Contest

1 Triton Circle

Fort Dodge, IA

FEB

Shrek Jr. Musical Productions

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Webster City Community Theatre

1001 Willson Ave • Webster City, IA

Shrek Jr. Musical Productions

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Webster City Community Theatre

1001 Willson Ave • Webster City, IA

FEBRUARY 26

Shrek Jr. Musical Productions

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Webster City Community Theatre

1001 Willson Ave • Webster City, IA

Fort Dodge Area Symphony

Country Dances

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Fort Dodge Middle School

800 North 32nd Street • Fort Dodge, IA

Bingo

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

FEBRUARY 27

HS Band/Orchestra Mid-Winter Concert

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Fort Dodge Middle School

800 North 32nd Street

a look back

By Tom Tourville

BIG SOUL HORNS & A TRUE SUPERSTAR LOOKING BACK AT THE AT THE PLA MOR

vocalist. Soon after starting college Piller was drafted, so Keith Goins’s brother Denny, became the new drummer for the group. Now the Chancellors were presented as an eight-man group wearing three-piece suits and a full horn section and so much talent.

In 1967 they participated in Omaha’s KOIL Radio’s Battle of Bands. Over 50 bands participated in the contest and the Chancellors won the event! It is fun to note that the Beach Boy’s father, Murry Wilson was one of the judges for this KOIL Battle of the Bands. With that win the band was now billing themselves as “Mid Americas Number One Brass Show & Dance Band.”

How many times have you heard me say in my columns, “Watch the musicians in the background, you may never know who you are seeing.” That is most definitely that case with this month’s Pla Mor Ballroom band and there is so much great history to the entire group. You will like this one, the story of Lincoln, Nebraska’s Chancellors.

In 1962 in the Nebraska community of David City, a high school band was formed by four kids. The new name chosen for the band was the Chancellors and the kids/musicians included: Bruce Piller-drums, Bob Codr-rhythm guitar & sax, Bob Sabata-bass and trombone and Robert Gingery-lead guitar and trumpet. You know, that is a lot of Bobs for one band. Soon those high school years were coming to an end for the four guys with the Chancellors, so in 1966, they all relocated to Lincoln NE to attend the Univ of Nebraska. This is where things started to change in a big way for the band.

At college the band decided to add in more horns and a keyboard player to give them that big sound like the Fabulous Flippers. Like so many bands, they were heavily influenced by the Flippers.

Added was Chris Foreman-sax, Jim Kreizinger-keyboards, Keith Goins-guitar and vocals and Bert Marshall as a featured

Codr left the band as a touring member, but created a booking agency to sell and market the Chancellors. The agency was CID Productions. Codr was very skilled in terms of the music business and played a huge roll in the success of the band. They entered Sears Studios in Omaha and recorded their first 45 record on El Cid Records, which was named after Codr’s CID Productions. The record, El Cid #2132 featured “Everybody’s Got To Lose Someone Sometime/It Was A Very Good Year.”

In 1970 Keith Goins left the group to join the super successful Smoke Ring from Norfolk, NE. This was just as the Smoke Ring was signing with Buddah Records and their hits would feature Goins on lead vocals. At this time Codr took over complete operations of the Chancellors including owning the band’s name.

The Chancellors did not miss a beat, as they added keyboard master, Max Gronenthal from Norfolk, NE. Max was an incredible vocalist. More on Max later.

With Gronenthal in the band, the Chancellors re-entered Omaha’s Sears Studios and recorded again with Gronenthal and Bert Marshal taking over the lead vocals. This session saw the release of “Places We Once Knew/Something For Sure” on the band’s own Chamus Records label, #3446. An exciting and highly sought-after record.

Later in 1970, Dennis Loewen, from the Fabulous Flippers, was putting a new Flippers together and was handpicking the very best musicians for the band. As a result of those efforts, Gronentahl was asked to join the Fabulous Flippers and he said yes. The Chancellors lost a very key member of the group. This was a real blow to the band.

Soon many of the founding members of the band would start leaving the group. Codr would take on the name of the Chancellors and found new members for the band. Like Lawrence, Kansas’s Mid Continent Productions, who owned the name of the Fabulous Flippers, Codr owned the name of the Chancellors and kept new groups on the market until 1975 as the Chancellors.

For their career, the group released two records, played Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, South Dakota and Colorado. They would perform with the Who, Herman’s Hermits, Beach Boys, Blues McGoos, the Grass Roots and Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels. They were even booked once to open for the Four Tops, but the Tops no-showed. In 1997 they were inducted into the Nebraska Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Included in that career was two trips to our Pla Mor Ballroom with one bring in May of 1970, before Gronenthal had left the band.

I mentioned earlier that a superior star came from the Chancellors. After Max Gronenthal left the Fabulous Flippers, he was signed to Chrysalis Records and released two LPs under the name of Max Carl. After his LP sessions he created Max Carl & The Big Dance then later joined Jack Mack & the Heart Attack while fronting both bands. Soon after these two bands he was asked to join 38 Special (“Hold On Loosely”) and currently fronts Grand Funk Railroad (“We’re An American Band”). What a talent.

You just never knew who you really were seeing on stage in Fort Dodge. I sure hope you were one of the lucky ones at the Pla Mor for the Chancellors.

POORLY PORTRAITS

make a fun Valentine for any sweetie

by lori berglund

Now here’s a chance for a fun and unique Valentine’s Day gift. The Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association is offering “Poorly Drawn Portraits” to surprise your sweetheart, or just anyone who needs a little questionable art.

The gifts are available with a $25 donation to the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association. It’s as easy as submitting a portrait via email to fdfinearts@gmail.com between now and Feb. 9.

In return, you will get a personally drawn digital download emailed before the big day on Feb. 14. For fast-track service, donate an additional $10 and receive the download within 48 hours. The link for the donation is

secure and will be sent when the Association receives your portrait request. “Artists” creating the portraits are of varying styles and abilities.

“You might get a super talented artist, but honestly, you’ll probably get someone with the talent of a second grader. The luck of the draw is half the fun,” organizers explain in their brochure.

And it’s all for a good cause, the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association. That digital download is sure to be a keeper.

To become a member or let us know about an event contact:

Shelly Bottorff, Executive Director • fdfinearts@gmail.com

Good Eats &Drinks

dining:

MONDAY: Burger night, $3.00 o all burgers TUESDAY: All you can eat fried chicken bu et starting at 5pm

FAST-FOOD:

artistspot

Andrea Bodholdt

Age: 35 • Hometown: Fort Dodge • Instrument: Piano/Vocal/Organ

Who has the greatest influence on you musically?

The two people that really encouraged me and taught me to pursue my passion in music include Joellen Brightman and Kathleen Schreier. There are so many people to include in the last 25 years.

If you had a chance to meet any performer/ musician, alive or dead, whom would you choose?

Never thought about it. I have no idea.

What are some of your musical accomplishments?

Music was my first job. I loved it and played piano all the time. I have played for many funerals and weddings. I don’t think I have missed any more than two Sundays a year in the last 23 years. I have played for services in four different denominations. I have held many piano/music recitals in all kinds of venues for my students. We have really had a fun time.

How did you first become interested in making music?

My mom started teaching me to play the piano when I was in kindergarten. I started lessons with a teacher the next year. In high school, I became interested in taking organ lessons from Kathleen Schreier and throughout the rest of my college years. I also started vocal lessons in college and earned my BA in Vocal Performance.

How long have you been performing/teaching?

I was asked to play for the St. Paul Saturday night church service when I was 12 years old. I have played for a church ever since. I started teaching piano lessons in 2004 and have been teaching piano lessons ever since. I have also added vocal and organ lessons.

Tell us about a couple of your most memorable piano recital experiences.

My first recital was the most memorable since I had no idea what a recital was. I was very shy and when my teacher asked if I would like to play a certain song, I said yes even though I did not like the song at all. I had no idea I could ask if I could play my favorite song. So, lesson

In the early years, my mom and I often played duets together at the Villa Care Center since we had an adopted grandma there. I remember one lady in particular during one of our piano visits, pretty perturbed that we were making her miss her afternoon tv program. Not sure if they had TVs in their rooms, but there was one in the room next to the piano where we were playing. I think she called war on our music. We could hear the volume get louder, so we giggled and played a little louder. Other residents (and staff) were asking her to turn the TV back down. I can’t remember who won that round.

Fast forward a few years, adding much more experience. We had a music recital at the old Thompson Friendship Haven center. That was rewarding because we had a room of residents who were eager to see and hear young students perform. Not only did I play my solo piano pieces, but I also played a few pieces in a trio with a violin and cello. That was the first time I played with any other instruments. A whole new exciting world opened up to me!

I used to play keyboard and sing in a classic rock band the first two years of college. Then another blues/rock band a few years later. At one point, I would play with the band at a bar or event Saturday evening until 2am, go home and sleep and play one or two services Sunday morning. It was never boring!

Tell us about your educational background with music.

I went to ICCC and took music theory, vocal lessons, and participated in jazz, concert band and choir for two years. Those were great years of learning, making friends and memories!

I finished my degree at BVU taking most of the classes needed to be a music teacher. I drove from my house in Fort Dodge for two years to Storm Lake. I still needed to do student teaching, but after getting my BA in vocal performance, I thought I would finish that part in Fort Dodge. I was asked if I would consider teaching music/ choir at Community Christian School. I wasn’t sure about it, but decided I would give it a try. I enjoyed my time teaching the kids and being part of the staff for 5 years.

I encourage them to set a routine for practicing. Just like eating and sleeping, we need a routine so we can evaluate our progress and be encouraged by how far we have come.

What has been the hardest lesson to learn when it comes to music and performing?

Hm. Hardest lesson – no matter how hard you practice or rehearse, something will be “out of the ordinary” when its time to perform. You can only learn how to overcome or get through that during the performance. That is one thing you cannot practice, but the practice itself comes from performing enough so you can expect those unexpected out-of-the ordinary things. Nerves. Sweaty hands. Dry mouth. A little breeze that

sweeps the music off the piano. A sticky piano key that won’t play. A bench that isn’t that right height. Someone holding a microphone for you instead of in a stand. Someone standing over your shoulder holding up the music. Your hands being ice cold. A music stand that is busted and can barely hold up your music. A binder too big for the keyboard stand. Not enough light to see the music or the sun shining so bright on the music that you have to lean to the left in order to see thru the glare.

shiningstar

Creighton Urban

Age: 17 years. Grade/School: I am a Junior at Southeast Valley Hometown: My hometown is Callender, Iowa.

How do you think the arts will be in your life 25 years from now?

Hopefully, I would like to be directing a band or choir in a high school or college. Again, I still would like to be performing in churches and throughout my community. If I do end up teaching at a high school, I would also like to help direct the school’s musical and/or play.

What are some of your accomplishments?

1 ratings at the district level. I am one of the captains for my school’s robotics team, and last year, our team went on to the state level. This year’s season is currently ongoing, and we hope to make it to the state level again. This year, I have also been nominated as a Dean’s List semi-finalist in the state for robotics.

What is your earliest musical memory?

you involved in?

Some of the activities I am in are musical, play, choir, jazz choir, band, jazz band, marching band, pep band, large group speech, robotics, student council, and national honor society.

What do you most enjoy about being involved in band and choir?

One of the biggest reasons I like band and choir is because it puts me around people who have the same musical interests as me. These people have gone on to be some of my best friends. Band and choir have also provided me with many opportunities to improve on my musical skills, as well as help other students grow theirs. Being involved in band and choir have also provided me with outside experiences, such as this coming summer, I will be headed to Europe to perform for two weeks with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music band.

Do you plan to pursue the arts after high school? If so, in what way?

I do plan to pursue the arts after high school. For a start, I would like to join concert, jazz, pep, and marching band in college, and would also like to sing with a choir. I would also like to keep playing/performing in my church and throughout my community. Further down the road, I am considering majoring in music education.

Musically, I have been selected as my school’s drum major this year. I have also been awarded the outstanding soloist award at the Triton Jazz Festival. I have been selected for numerous honor bands throughout the years, I have auditioned for the All-State band for the past three years, and have been awarded multiple Division I ratings for my solo in the solo/ensemble contest. I have also performed in the school’s musical for the past three years, this year being the role of George Banks in Mary Poppins. I have done the spring play for the last two years, and in last year’s play I had the lead role of François LaRoache in the play “Château La Roach.” I participate in an improv team in our school’s large group speech program. My team has gone on to the state competition after receiving

My earliest musical memory would have to be back in elementary school. We learned how to play recorders. Alongside the recorders, we also played with boomwhackers, which helped us learn rhythm, and the very basis of harmony.

Talk us through a typical day in the life of Creighton Urban.

A typical day for me would start with jazz band, jazz choir, or student council. After this, I go throughout my school day, spending any free time I have working on the robot in the robotics lab. Every day, my final class is band and choir, doing about 45 minutes of each. After school, I either have more robotics practice or speech practice. Depending on the day of the week and time of the year I either have jazz band practice, play or musical rehearsal, or we perform pep band or marching band. On top of all of this, I still manage to squeeze in time for individual instrument practice.

Karl L. King Municipal Band ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY CONCERT

The Karl L. King Municipal Band will open their 2023 indoor winter season on Sunday, February 19th, with a concert beginning at 3:30 pm in the Fort Dodge Middle School Auditorium. There is no admission charge, with these concerts being provided free to the public by the City of Fort Dodge. Jerrold P. Jimmerson is the conductor of the Karl King Band, with Dan Cassady serving as the assistant conductor, and Paul Bloomquist as the band’s announcer.

This February 19th concert will be the band’s annual tribute to former conductor Karl L. King. King was born on February 21, 1891 in Paintersville, Ohio. After his childhood in Ohio, he left in 1910 at the age of 19 and traveled for 9 years playing with several different circuses or conducting several of their bands. He reached the pinnacle of success twice during those years, first as the Euphonium player in the Barnum and Bailey Circus Band of 1913, and then as conductor of the famous Barnum and Bailey Circus Band during the 1917 and 1918 seasons.

When Karl King arrived in Fort Dodge in the fall of 1920 with his wife Ruth and infant son Karl, Jr., he was already a well-established performer, conductor, composer, and publisher of band music. He continued to write music, totaling almost 300 compositions,

along with directing the local Municipal Band for 50 years and eventually opened his own music store and publishing business here.

Selections composed by Karl King will include his march, “Emblem of Freedom”, along with his overture, “Princess of India”; a beautiful aerial waltz, “The Silver Fountain”; and an exciting circus galop, “The Whippet Race”. Two other marches were dedicated by composers to King, and are also on the program – “King Karl King” by Henry Fillmore, and “Royal Decree” by W.P. English.

Special guest soloist will be Tim Miller, cornet/ trumpet, from Humboldt. Mr. Miller is now retired after a long and successful career at both Humboldt High School (7 years) and Humboldt Junior High School (24 years). He had previously taught 5-12 Band for 9 years at the Sheffield-Chapin Schools. Tim is a graduate of Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant with a BME degree, and has done graduate work at both the University of South Dakota and the University of Iowa. In addition to playing Solo Trumpet with the King Band, Tim also performs with Jive for Five, Lone Tree Revival, the 515 Big Band, and the Northfield Church Praise Band.

Mr. Miller will perform the classic Herbert L. Clarke cornet solo, “The Bride of the Waves”, which was originally performed with the John Philip Sousa

Band by Clarke himself. For an encore, another King Band member, David Swaroff from Belmond, will join Miller for a cornet duet on Karl King’s composition, “Wood-Nymphs Polka”.

A special tribute in memory of long-time vocalist soloist with the band, Robert Patton from Gowrie, who passed away on January 20, will be offered, with band member Roger Netz from Manson performing “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”, a frequent solo sung by Mr. Patton with the band.

Rounding out the program will be a salute to President’s Day, “Abraham Lincoln March”, by Edwin Franko Goldman; a medley of well-known popular songs titled “Irving Berlin Showstoppers”; and George Gershwin’s hit, “Oh, Lady Be Good”. These concerts always close in the traditional way with the playing of our National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”. In case of inclement weather, this concert may be cancelled on the concert day. Any announcements will be made on the band’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook. com/karlkingband/ or on the band’s website at www. karlking.us. The next performance by the Karl L. King Municipal Band will be the Band’s annual Irish Concert on Sunday, March 19th, also held in the Fort Dodge Middle School Auditorium at 3:30 pm.

FORT DODGE FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS FUNDRAISER WINTER 2023

POORLY DRAWN PORTRAITS

All funds will go towards programming and operating expenses for FD FAA. Make a $25 donation to FDFAA along with your portrait photo & you will receive your very own Poorly Drawn Portrait Digital Download! The original artwork will be available upon request for an additional $25. request email fdfinearts@gmail.com your reference photos between Jan 11-Feb.9 and we will send you the link for your donation

Donate an extra $10 and we’ll fast track your drawing so you are sure to get it within 48 hours.

You “might” get one of our super talented artists, but honestly, you’ll probably get someone with the talent of a 2nd grader. The luck of the draw is half the fun!

deadline for submissions is February 9.

Portraits emailed by February 14.