SALES DIRECTOR leanne darr ldarr@messengernews.net
jody kayser jkayser@messengernews.net
EDITOR bill shea bshea@messengernews.net
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
tom tourville lori berglund hailey brueschke brandon brueschke
COPYRIGHT 2024 Twist & Shout is published monthly by ogden newspapers inc. All content and opinions expressed may not be those of the publishers.
*All photos submitted to Twist & Shout become property of Twist & Shout. We are not responsible for their return.
Dragon Boat Bash
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by lori berglund
A never-ending winter on its way to Fort Dodge Frozen Jr. comes to Decker Auditorium
Stage Door Productions, the local theater company dedicating to growing young performers, is warming up for its upcoming production of Disney’s Frozen Jr.
Anyone who thinks they know the story of Frozen Jr., just must be surprised with the twists and turns in this beloved story as Stage Door Productions brings its own version to Decker Auditorium on the ICCC campus in July.
Performances are slated for 7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, July 18, 19 and 20, with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, July 20. Tickets are $15 each, $5 for students ages 5 and up, and can be purchased at the door or in advance at HyVee and online with the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association.
Alyssa Sparks is back as director, with Megan Cassady as music director and Emily Eastwood as choreographer.
“We are really excited about the play, and definitely so happy that it’s all happening at the new Decker Auditorium,” Sparks said.
site the week of the show. Being able to use the new Decker Auditorium is a huge plus for children to start learning their marks and feeling comfortable on a very large stage.
Sparks is juggling perhaps the biggest cast to date in Frozen Jr. Last year’s production of Madagascar had 80-kids, but this year the total cast number is pushing near 100 young actors, ages kindergarten through high school seniors.
For Sparks, a veteran of the director’s chair, she makes it look easy as leads kids through a night of rehearsals.
“We always look for shows that have big casts because then we have the potential to get a lot of kids involved,” Sparks explained. “We wanted something that the kids would fun with, and that the community would recognize and enjoy.”
In the brand new Decker Auditorium, these young actors are really get a taste for theater at its finest.
Could it be? Winter forever? Say it’s not so!
For the first time, the young actors of Stage Door Productions are able to rehearse and perform in the same venue. Previously, rehearsals were held in a local church and then moved to the performance
“It’s awesome to practice where we will be performing,” Sparks said. “The first night, some of the kids were looking around and it was like, this is the biggest space they have ever been in. They are definitely excited to be here.”
Rehearsal is a lot of work, but these kids are having as learn. From left at top are Harrison Carzoli and Everly Mammen. Below are Kylie McGongle and Stella Pingel.
As for the actors, a stellar lineup of veterans and newcomers are working to bring Frozen Jr. to life for local audiences.
Ella Champagne stars as Anna, Princess of Arendelle. It’s a role long in coming for this veteran of community theater who is a senior at Fort Dodge Senior High. She seems to understand very well the philosophy put forth by the Bottorff sisters when they first began Stage Door Productions. For Champagne, having learned some of the ropes of community theater, she finds great reward in being able to help teach those coming up behind her.
“This will be my eighth show with Stage Door Productions,” Champagne said. “I really enjoy that I’ve grown up doing plays, and now I’ve come to the time when I’m first in line as one of the older ones, and I get to help all the younger ones. Someone did that for me, so now I get to pass it on.”
Opposite Champagne is Abigail Casciato as Elsa. As the older sister, Princess Elsa is next in line to the throne of Arendelle. It’s a challenging life for Elsa, and one that Casciato is having great fun bringing to life on the local stage.
Also a senior at FDSH, Casciato has been in at least eight shows with various local production companies.
“I’m really having fun working with all the different ages in this particular play, and I’m so proud of the younger ones because they are all really hitting their marks,” Casciato said.
The play is unique in that it casts three different actors for each of the princesses, reflecting the characters at different ages. Sparks had praise for the actors at every age group for the way they are forming a seamless transition as one actor takes over for the next as the character grows up.
Henry McCubbin starts it off portraying Young Anna. Isabella Baker steps in next as Middle Anna, followed by Champagne as the lead Anna.
For Elsa, Stella Pingel kicks off the show as Young Elsa. Kinley Auten is up next as Middle Elsa, followed by Casciato as the lead Elsa.
Kristof is an ice harvester by trade with a natural gift for sarcasm. Kyle Peterson, a sophomore at FDSH, is having great fun with the part.
‘I didn’t have to learn a bunch of lines,” he said with a grin.
Kristoff’s loyal friend is Sven, ‘a reindeer with the heart of a Labrador.’ Drake Wertz, another senior at FDSH, takes on this fun-loving role.
“I get to hang out with all my friends,” Wertz said, in true Sven-like fashion.
Leif Hamilton, a junior at FDSH, is very happy to be playing Olaf. If it’s possible for a snowman to have a warm heart, Olaf has it.
“He’s a very comical character,” Hamilton said. “I feel like I can have fun on stage with this character.”
Owen Hamlo takes on the role of Hans. A junior at FDSH, he’s been in as many as 10 shows over the years.
“I like that theater allows me to express myself in a show,” Hans said. “Helping out with the little kids is really making this play a fun one.
From lef, Drake Wertz, Kyle Pederson, Leif Hamilton, and Owen Hamlow, are ready to take on the male leads in Stage Door Production’s upcoming performance of Frozen Jr.
Director Alyssa Sparks, standing at right, is surrounded by young actors during a rehearsal of Stage Door Production’s upcoming presentation of Frozen Jr.
Manuela Rodriguez and Mina DeJong are ready to make some moves with their portrayals of trolls in upcoming production of Frozen Jr.
The show must go on Sisters shared a love of the stage
by lori berglund
Shelly Bottorff and her sister Susan Ahlers Leman had a vision more than 10 years ago to start a local theater company for kids. Bottorff serves as executive director of the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association, while Ahlers Leman was a local attorney at the time. The sisters, who grew up on the stage in Webster City, knew the benefits of what can be learned from performing, and shared a deep passion for passing that on to the next generation.
Thus was born Stage Door Productions, now in its 11th year of bringing kids together to perform. The organization has proved a fitting tribute for the sisters who built strong reputations as skilled actors and stunningly beautiful singers. If they could do it, they were going to teach the next generation to do it as well.
“We learned so much, and we had so much fun,” Bottorff recalled. “There is so much value in theater’s ability to help build confidence, teach kids to work together, to be responsible for getting to auditions, and making a production really come to life by everyone doing their part.”
Sadly, this year Stage Door Productions moves forward without Ahlers Leman, who passed away in May after a long battle with cancer. For Bottorff, there are bound to be bittersweet moments, but she is determined to carry on the legacy that she knows her sister would want.
Susan Ahlers Leman lived a life to be celebrated — and watching kids thrive and grow at Stage Door Productions is one magnificent way to do just that.
BADGER LAKE DRAGON BOAT BASH 27th Annual
We are back on the beach for the 2024 Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash our 27h Year! We are thrilled to announce that Renegade Soul will be the headliner for this summer’s Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash, Aug 9th & 10th, 2024. Renegade Soul is a local band. Renegade Soul is a five-piece band rock and roll newer contemporary renegade country and traditional country music. The Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash is now one of the longest standing events in the Midwest. We are proud that the community support and participation has made this distinction possible, and we are excited that teams are already registering for the 2024 event. This year’s concert will be a free event.
The Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash is one of the premier community events in Fort Dodge. The event is a fun filled, family friendly weekend that includes everything from a concert on Friday night and the thrill of teams competing in the centuries old Chinese sport of dragon boat racing on Saturday. It’s the perfect mix of community building and team building, not to mention a ton of fun.
Soldier Creek Winery to
celebrate a decade10th birthday party is planned
A decade ago, Soldier Creek Winery north of Fort Dodge got started with six varieties of wine.
Today, it has 20 different wines, plus it makes wine for other customers. About 15,000 gallons of wine are produced annually.
“It’s kind of crazy how far we have come in 10 years,” said Megan Secor, a co-owner of the winery and its marketing coordinator.
To celebrate those 10 years, Soldier Creek Winery is having a birthday party from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. July 13 at its facility at 1584 Paragon Ave..
“We just really want to show our appreciation to all our customers, both new and old, and we think this will be a fun way to do that,” Secor said. The event, she said, will be “just a really relaxed birthday party.”
Tours of the winery will be conducted at 1 p.m and 3 p.m. Each tour will include the opportunity to taste wines from the tank and the barrel. Secor said the tanks are big stainless steel tanks, while the barrels are made of wood. She said red wines are put in the wood barrels to age. Pre-registration is necessary for the tours. To sign up, go to soldiercreekwinery.com.
The Kriss Karr Band will perform from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Two food trucks will be on-site to feed hungry visitors. The trucks will be from Burrito Mex Express and Texas Toast and Tots. And of course, because it is a birthday party, there will be cake.
A video showing the winery throughout the past decade will be shown.
“We’re real excited to celebrate our 10th birthday,” Secor said.
by bill shea bshea@messengernews.net
07-04
Pulse THE
S & H O U T !
JULY LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR
JULY 26
SHELLABRATION
DOWNTOWN FORT DODGE
Smoke & Grill
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Soldier Creek winery
1584 Paragon Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 6
Christian Recording Artist Ryan Stevenson with Brady O’Brien
The Laramar Ballroom
706 1st Ave North • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 7 Bingo!
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Soldier Creek winery
1584 Paragon Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 7
Karl King Band Summer Concert Series
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Oleson Park Bandshell
1400 Oleson Park Avenue
Ribbon Cutting:
First Baptist Church/SALT Center
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
28 N 10th St • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 11
Ribbon Cutting: River’s Edge Discovery Center
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
River’s Edge Discover Center 20 North 1st Street • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 11
Fred Love
LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 12
Ryne Doughty + Burrito
Mexpress Food Truck
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Soldier Creek winery
1584 Paragon Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 13
Soldier Creek Winery’s 10th Birthday!
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Soldier Creek winery 1584 Paragon Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 14
Karl King Band Summer Concert Series
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Oleson Park Bandshell
1400 Oleson Park Avenue
JULY 18
Stage Door Production’s presents: Frozen, Jr.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Iowa Central Community College
Center of Performing Arts
1 Triton Circle • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 18
Logan Corbino LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
520 Central Avenue Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Renegade Soul + Big D’s Bama Smoke & Grill
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Soldier Creek winery
1584 Paragon Avenue
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
JULY 19
Stage Door Production’s presents: Frozen, Jr.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Iowa Central Community College
Center of Performing Arts
1 Triton Circle • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 20
Stage Door Production’s presents: Frozen, Jr.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Iowa Central Community College Center of Performing Arts 1 Triton Circle • Fort Dodge, IA
Prince Patton LIVE at Salty Suz’.
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Salty Suz’
512 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 21 Bingo!
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Soldier Creek winery
1584 Paragon Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA
Karl King Band Summer Concert Series
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Oleson Park Bandshell
1400 Oleson Park Avenue
JULY 25
Michael Bernard LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA 50501
JULY 26
Grace Casciato & Friends
LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA
JULY 27
Claudia Coltrain
LIVE at Soldier Creek Winery
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Soldier Creek Winery
1584 Paragon Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA
FAST-FOOD:
Burger King 2814 5th Ave. S
Casey’s Carry-Out Pizza 2007 N.15th St. 2206 2nd Ave. N.
dining:
716 Main Humboldt
Amigos 280 N. 1st St.
Applebee’s 2810 5th Ave. S
Bloomers on Central 900 Central Ave.
Buffalo Wild Wings 2909 5th Ave. S.
CasaBlanca Steak House Hwy 169
Ardys Mae Coffee and Dessert 14 S. 14th St.
Community Tap & Pizza 2026 5th Ave. S.
Peking Garden 510 5th Ave. S.
Hacienda Vieja 1518 3rd Ave. NW
Ja-Mar Drive-In 329 S. 25th St.
Lizard Creek Ranch 1762 Johnson Ave
The Stadium 2001 2nd Ave. N.
Lomitas Mexican Restaurant 2223 5th Ave. S.
Mineral City 2621 5th Ave. So.
Ninja Sushi Steak House 407 S. 25th St.
Perkins 511 S. 32nd St.
Pizza Ranch 3311 5th Ave. S. ..................................1317 Central Ave. A Pinch of Love Cafe .................... 850 S. 18th St.
Shiny Top Brewing ....... 520 Central Ave. .................................. 2021 6th Ave. S. ......................... 2707 N. 15th St.
Tom Thumb Drive Inn ......................... 1412 A. St. ................................ 3521 5th Ave. S.
Tropical Smoothie ................. 2813 1/2 5th Ave. S. ................................... 2002 N. 15th St.
Zakeer’s Family Restaurant......... 425 2nd Ave. S.
2024 FIT NIGHT Schedule
JULY 18TH AUGUST 15TH
SEPTEMBER 19TH
OCTOBER 17TH
a look back
By Tom Tourville
THE AMERICAN BREED ROCK FT DODGE BEND ME SHAPE ME
How many times at night did we tune into WLS Radio in Chicago and listened to all those great Chicago bands? Remember these? The Cryan’ Shames, New Colony Six, the Buckinghams, the Shadows Of Knight, Ides of March and the American Breed. This month lets go back to the late ‘60s and remember when Chicago’s American Breed arrived in downtown Fort Dodge.
The American Breed was formed in 1966 in Cicero, IL as Gary & The Knight Lites. The band consisted of: Gary Loizzo- guitar, vocals & band founder, Chuck Colbert-bass, Al Ciner- guitar, and Lee Graziano- drums. The Knight Lites were another in a long list of hot Chicago area bands who were playing the Windy Cities clubs, ballrooms, and school dances. The band had a very solid following and released a couple of independent 45 records as Gary & The Knight Lites.
Because of their strong local following, they caught the attention of the legendary Dot Records label. While Dot had been around for decades as a label, they wanted to gain more attention with the teen record buying demographic, so they signed Gary & The Knight Lites to a recording contract for their new Acta Records label. A name change was in order, so the band became The American Breed. Joining the group on keyboards was Kevin Murphy, with Graziano leaving the band and Andre Fischer joining on drums.
No sooner were they signed to the recording contract, they were in the studio making their first record as the American Breed and what a recording session it turned out to be. This session produced TWO top hits for the band.
The first of the two hits was “Step Out Of Your Mind/Same Old Thing” (Atca Records 804). The song went to #30 on the Billboard charts and #1 in Chicago. It is their next release from this same session that produced the signature song they are best remembered for, “Bend Me Shape Me/ Mindrocker” (Acta 811). “Bend Me Shape Me” reached Top 10 on Billboard, sold over a million copies while reaching gold record status, not to mention #1 in Chicago and all across the Midwest.
In 1968 they came back with another hot seller in the form of “Green Light/Don’t It Make You Cry.” Mixed in with these releases was “Don’t Forget About Me/Short Skirts” (Atca 808). 1968 also saw the release of another record for the band to chart high on Billboard, “Anyway You Want Me/Master Of My Fate” (Atca 827). I for one feel this disc is one of the very best unsung rock records from the ‘60s. They continued to release records, but none quite had the success as did the records from their 1967- 1968 recording period.
While they were having great chart success, they become one of the most popular live acts on the road. As they played the entire U.S, it was the Midwest where they really created their reputation as a group with a fantastic live show. In addition, they played countless shows at our Midwest ballrooms.
One of the more fun side stories about this group, was when they disbanded in October of 1970, three members left to join another band, those three were Colbert, Ciner and Fischer. The new band they were asked to join was called Ask Rufus. More new members came into the group and one was a singer by the name of, Chaka Kahn! Soon they shortened the group’s name to just.......Rufus. The rest is rock and roll history!
Loizzo would later go on to work as a song writer with the famed Chicago band, Styx. For years he owned the very successful recording studio, Chicago’s Pumpkin Studios. Sadly, Gary passed away in 2016 after a fight with cancer. Chicago lost one of its cornerstones of rock and roll.
As I spoke to earlier, they were huge draws on the Midwest ballroom circuit. Because of this fact, they appeared at our Plamor Ballroom. As I’ve been told, the ballroom had an opening and the Breed had earlier played Okoboji’s Roof Garden Ballroom, so they were a late replacement booking for the Plamor in September of 1969. With the show having little if any marketing, the ballroom was jammed mostly by word of mouth with strong ticket sales.
Just think how exciting it was, week after week, seeing all these top charting national bands arriving in Fort Dodge to rock us all.
How did you first become interested in making music?
sitting under a pew in Church listening to the Choir and my grandmother player the Organ.
How long have you been working in the church music realm & how did you get started?
I am now in my 26th year of holding the position of Director of Sacred Music for Holy Trinity Catholic Parish. That first began with Sacred Heart, then Sacred Heart and Corpus Christi and then the full parish as Churches were closed and the new Church edifice consecrated in September of 2020. I also hold the Position of Organist and Sanctuary Choir Director for St. Olaf Lutheran Church. A position I have held since 2007. Before that during my High School years you could find be floating amongst many different denominations. The need for pianists and Organists is great and growing with each passing year.
Tell us about a couple of your most memorable piano playing experiences. This could be playing for a service, ceremony….anything.
I can say that I have been blest. In my High School and college years I had more time to branch out into different musical genres. I was able to participate in four years of musicals at St. Edmond, two years of musicals at ICCC, a wonderful production of Pirates of Penance that the
late Bruce Perry directed. I was honored to have been a member of the Luther College Nordic Choir. In the work I do for the Church it’s a very different kind of memorable experiences. Church work is not a performance. It’s an enhancement of worship to the Glorification of God and the refreshment of souls. In twenty-six years there are many things that stand out. I’ve been there to assist families at the worse times of loss with family members funerals. I’ve been there at happier times when families gather for weddings. Amongst it all it will surprise no one that knows me that Christmas time is my favorite time. Christmas along with the musical expressions during Holy Week are the BIG times. But in my local parish work it has been very sad times with the final closing masses of individual Church’s culminating with the dedication of New Church Edifice. One very memorable experience came just two years ago. I was on a pilgrimage with several colleagues to the Holy Land. To make music in the Church of the Nativity, the Church of the Transfiguration, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Those are movements to never be forgotten.
Who has the greatest influence on you musically?
My parents, my grandparents, my great grandparents certainly. But the influence and dedication of many, patient, music instructors. To them I owe a great debt of gratitude and thanks. Thelma Culver, Kathleen Schrier, Dan Cassady, Jim Wright, Larry Mitchel, William Kuhlman, Dr. Gregory Peterson, Jonathon Struve, Dr. Allen Hightower, Weston Noble and the late Fred Nyline.
If you had a chance to meet any performer/ musician, alive or dead, whom would you choose & why?
There are two. One living, one dead. The great film composer and former Director of the Boston Pops John Williams. I have met him briefly but would love a chance to just sit and watch his brilliance in composition at work. The deceased is JS Bach. As an organist it can be a bit cliché to love Bach’s works. But the man was brilliant. Often times improvising those great works that enter one’s mind, then, going back and writing them out. He wrote music that transcends our comprehension.
What are some of your musical accomplishments?
I would hope that when given the distance of time my musical legacy might be one of “seed planting.” One should never underestimate the power of music and its influence. I hope the work I have been privileged to do may have planted or encouraged others to consider the same work or something within the musical realm. Time will be the judge to my musical accomplishments and failures. Never forget the failures. They can be the best learning situations.
Tell us about your educational background with music.
I began my musical studies at the age of five with piano lessons I did
not want to take. I always wanted to play the organ from day one. My parents had to deal with a difficult younger person to get me to practice. But once I started Organ then I could not stop practicing. As previously mentioned I had many great musical teachers. A person’s own abilities and those that train them are usually the best educational experience.
What has been the hardest lesson to learn when it comes to music and performing?
Most people think I am kidding when I state the following. The hardest lesson I have had to learn is to remain calm and focus. I get terrible stage fright. Even to this day I don’t like playing in front of large crowds. But I play in front of over a thousand people every weekend. I credit Dr. Gregory Peterson for calming my inner spirit. All it took was his gentle and persistent instruction to, “Relax and breathe.”
What is the most rewarding part about your musical career?
The other musicians I’ve been privileged to collaborate with. From my own instructors to the singers and instrumentalists I work with day in and day out. They make the challenging days fun.
What would you tell a student who is interested in pursuing a career in music/music education?
Listen to your music teachers. The tedious study of music history, music theory, performance methods are tedious, time consuming and difficult. A musician that can master them all can go from Fort Dodge to Carnegie Hall. Take the road less traveled.
by bill shea bshea@messengernews.net
Rick Springfield SHELLABRATION to headline
The musical tale of “Jesse’s Girl” will echo throughout downtown Fort Dodge on July 26 when Rick Springfield takes the stage for this year’s Shellabration concert.
The Babys, a British band most popular from 1977 to 1980, will take the stage in advance of Springfield, a Grammy Award winning singer.
A local favorite, Tank Anthony Band, will get the show started as the opening act. For the first time, Shellabration will be held at the intersection of Central Avenue and Ninth Street, which is the site of the Downtown Country Jam.
“We’re excited about moving it downtown,” said Craig Schlienz, a member of the Shellabration Inc. board that organizes both major concerts.
“It’s a fun atmosphere,” he said. Downtown Fort Dodge, he said, provides a “natural backdrop” for live music.
He acknowledged that setting up for a concert and later taking everything down is easier downtown than at the Oleson Park Bandshell or Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex.
The summer Shellabration concert has long been a showcase for classic rock.
Shellabration President Jim Reed described this year’s show as a “our triumphant return to the ‘80s.”
“If we’ve learned one thing, it’s that Fort Dodge loves its ‘80s artists,” he said.
RICK SPRINGFIELD
Springfield burst onto the American music scene in 1981 with the No. 1 hit “Jesse’s Girl.”
That year he won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
His string of hits continued with “I’ve Done Everything for You,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “Affair of the Heart,” and ‘Love Somebody.” Throughout the 1980s, he had 17 Top 40 hits. His music career began in his native Australia with a band called Zoot which he played in from 1969 to 1971. He then went solo. In 1972, he had a Top 10 hit in Australia with “Speak to the Sky.”
Springfield may be equally well known for his acting career. He played Dr. Noah Drake on “General Hospital.” He also appeared on “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “”High Tide,” “The Rockford Files,” and “The Incredible Hulk.”
THE BABYS
This band may be best known for “Isn’t It Time.” Other hits from The Babys are “”Every Time I Think of You,” “Head First,” “Back On My Feet Again,” and “Midnight Rendezvous.”
The band broke up in 1981. It reunited in 2013 and has played a small number of shows since then.
Reed said the band played in Iowa five times during the 1970s and early 1980s. He said it has never performed in Iowa since reuniting in 2013.
shiningstar
19
Cook
Where do you go to school and what grade are you in?
I am starting as a freshman at Iowa Central Community College this coming fall. I just graduated as a senior from Fort Dodge Senior High.
What instruments do you play?
I play double bass and bass guitar. I also dable in acoustic guitar.
How often do you practice?
Probably 3-4 times per week, although I’m worse in the summer haha.
What do you enjoy about performing?
I like showcasing something that I have learned. I also think that there is a special emotional connection you can achieve when you perform a piece you care about.
What is the hardest part about playing an instrument?
For double bass accurate shifting and checking intonation, but hauling them around isn’t easy either. I remember a few times in Jazz Band where I had my bass guitar strapped to
my back and I was carrying my double bass. Doorways were not my friend.
What kind of music do you listen to for fun?
I listen to a pretty wide range of music, but I love older rock and pop. Rock ballads are some of my favorites.
What is your proudest accomplishment & why?
My proudest moment is probably my sophomore year in Jazz Band. We played difficult music, and our ballad for that year was Come Rain Or Come Shine. It was a beautiful slow song that switched between triple and duple feel constantly; I knew that song inside and out. I listened to it hundreds of times and practiced it constantly, then we performed and I could relax and truly enjoy making music with everyone.
Who do you look up to & why?
Mr. Robison the FDSH Orchestra Director and my bass professor. He is an awesome guy who makes playing strings look easy (it is not).
How do you see music in your life in 25 years?
Jeez, I don’t even know what my life looks like in 25 years, but I hope music will still be a part of it. Music has been important throughout my childhood, yet I am at a new stage of my life where I get to choose music for myself. While I don’t have the structure or as much time for music, I am discovering a different kind of passion that I hope will last for the rest of my life.
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you pick & why?
Australia, because they have so many dangerous animals. It sounds like a blast!
What are your plans for this fall?
I’m going to Iowa Central to be in the nursing program, and I am going to continue vocal music. I haven’t decided what I am going to do with instrumental music yet, but I would love to be in a jazz group or musical pit.
Karl L. King Municipal Band PLANS JULY ACTIVITIES
The month of July promises to be another exciting and fun one for the members of the Karl L. King Municipal Band. Conductor Jerrold P. Jimmerson has recently announced his retirement as Conductor at the end of this season and has planned the following events scheduled to occur each Sunday evening during the month. All concerts will be held at the Karl L. King Band Shell in Oleson Park, weather permitting. These concerts begin at 7:30 pm, and are free to the public, courtesy of the City of Fort Dodge. A homemade ice cream social provided by the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church precedes each concert.
On July 7th, the King Band will present a special concert of patriotic music honoring America’s Independence Day. From the musical history of the United States in “Let Freedom Ring!” to the exciting “American Salute” and John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever”, these songs are guaranteed to bring about a renewed sense of patriotism. There will be plenty of marches by Karl King, Henry Fillmore, W.B. Green, and Sousa to get your toes tapping! Featured soloist Tim Miller from Humboldt will perform Leroy’s Anderson’s beautiful solo, “A Trumpeter’s Lullaby”, and then will be joined by David Swaroff from Belmond and Amaia Walsh-Levi from Fort Dodge for an encore performance of “Bugler’s Holiday”. This concert will feature something for everyone, including the “Armed Forces Salute” for our servicemen and women.
The concert on July 14th promises even more surprises. The evening actually will start at 7:00 pm with a short bonus warm-up performance by the popular area Brass Quintet, Jive for Five. These musicians are all members of the King Band, and include Tim Miller from Humboldt, David Swaroff from Belmond, Kathy Yoakam from Humboldt, Dan Cassady from Twin Lakes, and Paul Bloomquist from Dayton. Conductor Jimmerson has planned another evening of varied band music, with everything from French opera composer Jacques Offenbach’s classic overture “Orpheus” to music from the legendary musical “The Wizard of Oz Fantasy” on the 85th anniversary of the movie’s release. Along with marches and other familiar melodies, Jive for Five will return to perform “Jump Swing Fever” and Karl King’s “Broadway One-Step” with the band.
The July 21st concert promises to have more for all ages to enjoy as our Conductor reflects on some of his favorite band works, from Charles Carter’s brilliant “Overture for Winds”, to music from the Big Band era with a “Tribute to Benny Goodman”. There are lots of marches on the program as well from Karl King, William Latham, and the incomparable John Williams music from “Star Wars”. The French Horn section will be featured on David Bennett’s “The Four Hornsmen”. Topping off the evening will be “Highlights from Carousel”, the popular Broadway musical by the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein.
The last concert on July 28th will be the Grand Finale of Conductor Jimmerson’s 22nd season as Conductor and his 65th season with the Band. The concert opens with Karl King’s composition, “The Home Town Boy” and includes Jimmerson’s tribute to his mentor with the “King of Fort Dodge March”. Also on the program will be Antonin Dvorak’s well-known “Finale from ‘The New World Symphony”.
Dan Cassady will be the featured Trombone soloist in a medley of Tommy Dorsey hits, titled “T.D. – That Sentimental Gentleman”. Also on the program are highlights from native Iowan Meredith Willson’s popular musical, “The Music Man”, along with “Rush Street Tarantella”, and Carmen Dragon’s beautiful arrangement of “America, the Beautiful”.
Special guest conductor Andrew Glover, president of the C.L. Barnhouse Co., publishers of band music in Oskaloosa IA, will be on hand to premier one of his latest band arrangements with a recently discovered, unpublished manuscript by Karl King titled “The Debutante Overture”, along with a King march, “The Attorney General”. This final concert each summer always ends in the traditional circus way with the playing of Karl King’s march, “Auld Lang Syne”, which means “for good times gone by”, as another season will draw to an exciting and fulfilling close.
Let’s plan to ‘Pack the Park’ on July 28th as the 124th season of fine band music here in Fort Dodge comes to a close as the King Band looks forward to 2025 when they will celebrate their 125th Quasquicentennial Anniversary.
