Minot Daily News SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017 MinotDailyNews.com • Facebook • Twitter
Arts & Culture
THE SHOW GOES ON BY ALLAN BLANKS • Staff Writer • ablanks@minotdailynews.com
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Minot Summer Theatre continues to sparkle after decades of entertainment With 52 years of showstopping entertainment, Minot Summer Theatre continues to be a premier attraction for Magic City audiences. Submitted Photo
From producing character twists to the gunslinging To this day, great seating accompanied by an intilove story “Oklahoma,” directed by Minot artist Chad mate theater experience remains Minot Summer TheGifford, the comical de force title “Noises Off,” directed atre’s gold standard. by Minot State University alumnus Joe Koppinger, to With the success of “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Damn artists of various crafts and disciplines continue to show Yankees,” Minot Summer Theatre became an instant ata relentless desire to capture the hearts, minds and imag- traction for families, couples and theater afficionados. inations of area theatergoers. After garnering praise from Minot-area theatergoers, Paving the way for these courageous artists were rev- Aleshire and Turner began setting their sights towards a olutionary founders Harold Aleshire and Thomas grander stage. Turner, who created Minot Summer Theater in 1966. Due to the demand for more seating and the deAt the time of Minot Summer Theatre’s conception, structive presence of wind storms, Turner and Aleshire Aleshire was the devised a plan chairman and prothat would meet fessor of Minot the growing State University’s popularity of Division of Husummer theater manities while while counterwww.minotstateu.edu/theatre/summer.shtml Turner was a facing the outdoor ulty member of in elements prethe Department of Communication Arts. sented by the wind. Between the innovative duo, Aleshire and Turner In 1970, the summer amphitheater came into fruition created an ingenious brand of theater that continues to thus ushering a new era for Minot’s stand the test of time. theater scene. With just over a half century of live entertainment, Following their groundbreaking the late Aleshire and Turner redefined Minot’s creative expansion, was a wave of aspiring landscape by featuring iconic plays “Damn Yankees,” performers seeking an opportunity “Bye Bye Birdie” and a hosts of other popular hits that to perform on Minot’s newest stage. celebrated cultural expression ranging from Americana Neuharth, an acting stand-out to world musicals. with an affinity for theater, reWhile Aleshire and Turner are the masterminds of flected the excitement felt by a new summer theater, Minot State University students, fac- generation of performers. ulty and community members play the role of architects. Soon, the future “Face of SumChoreographer Kena Davidson, accomplished direc- mer Theatre” earned the attention tor Connie Gilseth, music director Kari Files and up and of Turner, who saw the promise coming actor J’Kobe Wallace are some of the local tal- and passion held by the MSU stuents who contribute to the exciting legacy of Minot Sum- dent. mer Theatre. Under the tutelage of Turner, Another name synonymous with Minot Summer Neuharth’s talent continued to Theatre is Kevin Neuharth. flourish and by 1980, Turner entrusted his protege Nicknamed “The Face of Summer Theatre,” with the Minot Summer Theatre. Neuharth once said, “If it weren’t for an audience, we To honor the legacy of Aleshire and Turner, couldn’t go on.” Neuharth shared their vision with directors ConFifty-two years ago, Aleshire and Turner, embarked rad Davidson and Mark McQuade, alongside acon a transformative journey, that reshaped the Magic tors Jeff Arlt, John Weninger and rising talents City. Grace Chermak, Chris Burch, Peg Morris and a Prior to 1966, summer theater in Minot was just a hosts of many notable performers. thought. In addition to welcoming the talents of new diPossessing an eye for talent and a gift for listening, rectors and promising actors, Neuharth’s growing Aleshire alongside Turner gave Minot audiences what list of plays expanded the roles for MSU students they’ve been cheering for. as well as Minot-area children and adults with theWith the collaboration of various MSU departments, ater aspirations. the summer of ‘66 revolutionized theater in Minot. Today, Minot Summer Theatre remains a preUnder a large tent coated by multi-colored ribbons, mier attraction for families, theater buffs and astheatregoers found their seats and discovered the piring performers. pageantry of Broadway’s “Bye Bye Birdie.” Entering 52 seasons of top-tier entertainment, For Turner and Aleshire, providing theater in the audiences have seen the best talents of Minot and summer time was only the beginning of their extraordi- abroad perform Broadway hits “Godspell,” “Little Shop nary plan. of Horrors,” “Oklahoma,” “Noises Off” and countless celThe two titans of summer theater aspired to change ebrated classics. the perception and presentation of popular plays. Under the new direction of Aili Smith, theatergoers In an effort to create a connection between the audi- can anticipate the combination of fresh energy and the ence and the performers, simplicity became the primary continuation of outstanding performances. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Alice in Wonderfocus of Aleshire and Turner. Instead of promoting elaborate decor and ample seat- land,” “Wizard of Oz” and “Rock of Ages” will be the ing, Aleshire and Turner wanted each guest to have a featured shows provided by the Minot Summer Theatre. To learn more about Minot Summer Theatre, visit clear view of the stage while experiencing an intimate connection to the set design and characters of the play. online at www.minotstateu.edu/theatre/summer.shtml.
MAIN: Founded on the principles of great seating and an intimate view of the performance, the summer amphitheater has featured live performances by the Minot Summer Theatre since 1970. ABOVE: Actors prepare for their Minot Summer Theatre production of “Oklahoma,” in 2016.
Online:
Submitted Photo
ABOVE: In 1966, founders Harold Aleshire and Thomas Turner hosted the Minot Summer Theatre’s debut performance, “Bye Bye Birdie,” inside their theatre tent, which seated 200.
Submitted Photos
ABOVE MIDDLE: Wind storms are a common occurrence during Minot’s summer months. Due to the dangers posed, the theatre tent was replaced by the summer amphitheater in 1970. ABOVE BOTTOM: Actors rehearse “Damn Yankees” for their 1966 Minot Summer Theatre performance.
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Saturday, April 22, 2017
Submitted Photos
RIGHT: Minot’s Chamber Chorale has been providing musical entertainment to the community for 45 years. BELOW: The Renaissance Christmas Feast is one of the best known and most popular of events conducted by the Chamber Chorale of Minot.
MINOT’S CHAMBER CHORALE
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then and now By KIM FUNDINGSLAND • Staff Writer • kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com
It is not surprising that Minot’s Chamber Chorale has become one of the most recognized organizations in the city. They’ve been polishing their special method of singing entertainment for 45 years. “We started in 1972 in Erdina Fiedler’s house,” said Sandy Starr, former director and current member of the Minot Chamber Chorale board of directors. What became the Chamber Chorale actually had its beginnings as early as 1968. “We got together and sang a couple concerts and were at various events,” recalled Starr. In 1972 the Chamber Chorale became incorpo-
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rated and has since become a solid centerpiece of Minot’s musical history. Bob Demke has been serving as the Chamber Chorale director for the past 11 years. “The big thing is, this group has a long tradition and place in the community in particular,” said Demke. “It’s obviously a community group with members from all walks of life. That’s an important factor. It’s people who like to sing and like chorale music in general, and like to get together from a music aspect and socially.” It has been a winning combination with Minot’s music lovers reaping the benefits. While the Chamber Chorale generally has four presentations a year, it is the Renaissance feast that has grown into a trademark performance for the group numbering about 40 voices. “That’s the one that is known most throughout the region, the Renaissance feast, our Christmas theater,” said Demke. “We’ll be doing our 45th this fall. That in itself is quite commendable. It is basically a great opportunity for our members but also for the community. It kick starts the Christmas season.” While the colorful Renaissance feast has become a must for admirers of chorale music, it is just one of four vibrant performances conducted by the Chamber Chorale each year. “We started with the feast and a spring concert. Then we started the fall pops concert,” said Starr. “That’s a well received concert, pops and Broadway music that people really like.” There’s also a master works concert held in Feb-
ruary. It helps balance out a wonderfully entertaining schedule. “We feel that variety is important,” explained Demke. “We do create concerts that give the community a chance to experience the emotional experience for people. Our singers are
2017 MINOT CHAMBER CHORALE REMAINING SCHEDULE April 30 – Spring concert and ice cream social/Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Oct. 6 – Pops and Broadway Concert/ Grand Hotel Nov. 30-Dec. 2 – Renaissance Feast/All Seasons Arena
really committed to music and bringing that gift of music to the community. It’s important to be part of the community’s fiber.” Starr says a “bunch of new singers” she refers to as “twenty-somethings” have greatly added to the chorale. “We have a couple of new tenors and basses but can always use more,” said Starr. According to the organization’s website, the Chamber Chorale, a mixed chorus that presents quality chorale literature, remains the only mixed community choir in Minot. A testament to the appeal of the chorale is that those who attend a performance walk away with a feeling of satisfaction and look forward to future Chamber Chorale events.
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Court jesters add a bit of frivolity to the Minot Chamber Chorale’s annual presentation of the Renaissance Feast.
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Saturday, April 22, 2017
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Area arts councils help keep towns large and small vital and interesting By ANDREA JOHNSON • Staff Writer • ajohnson@minotdailynews.com
The Sakakawea Area Arts Council in Garrison, like others in the area, serves the community and also is a draw for big events like the annual Dickens Festival. Mike Youngs, co-chair of the theater division of the council, said 10 to 30 cast members put on some version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” every year in conjunction with the festival. They give six performances, all of which are sold out. About 275 people attended one performance. The arts council also puts on additional productions during the year. In addition, Youngs said the group owns the town theater and provides movies on weekends at a reduced price, offers art classes for adults and kids, helps sponsor events at the Garrison Public Library such as book signings and a book exchange, and sponsored performances by music groups and dance groups. In addition to performing in the various stage productions, Youngs said he has also
Submitted Photos
The 2015 performance of “A Christmas Carol” by actors in Garrison. The Sakakawea Area Council of the Arts puts on many events.
written and published several plays. Youngs said he thinks the art council is unusually active for a small town and helps bring people to the community. Linda Lumley, of the Sibyl Center in Stanley, also said her local group is an asset for the community. “Music is the main event at Sibyl, although we have expanded in other areas such as displays by local artists, photographers and the North Dakota Historical Society.” Events that have been held at the Sibyl, a community oriented center for the arts and learning in downtown Stanley, also have included children’s theater and a ladies tea. Summer concerts coming up this year include Link Union from Missouri on June 17, Heartbreak Hotel from Minneapolis on July 15, Dr. Carlos Vieira on Aug. 20 and Redhead Express and the Walker Family from Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 7. “(They’re) very impressive for our little town,” said Lumley.
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Saturday, April 22, 2017
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MAIN: Members of the Minot City Band are shown in this photo taken at the band shell in Oak Park in Minot last year. At far left is Jerry Spitzer, who directed the band from 1983-2016 and at the far right is Joe Alme, who now directs the band. LEFT: This photo of the Minot City Band at a rehearsal was taken in 1977-78. Joe Alme was director of the band at the time. RIGHT: Minot City Band members, with Joe Alme as director in 1980-81, pose for a photo during a rehearsal.
90-some years of music
By ELOISE OGDEN • Regional Editor • eogden@minotdailynews.com
Minot City Band keeps on playing
The Minot City Band kicks off its 2017 season with Joe Alme at the helm as conductor. Longtime conductor Jerry Spitzer handed over the baton to Alme last year after more than 30 years in that position. “It’s a privilege and honor,” said Alme of leading the band. Actually, this is the third time Alme has been conductor of the city band. From 1977-78, and again from 1980-81, he led the group. The Minot City Band, with about 35 or so mem-
bers, has a long history, tracing back to the early 1920s when G.C. Humphries organized the group. “It’s purpose was not only to provide entertainment at civic and community functions but also to offer opportunities for community music to young and old alike through the medium of the wind and percussion instruments,” according to band history. See CITY — Page 6
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Saturday, April 22, 2017
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Submitted Photos
ABOVE: Today’s Minot Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Efrain Amaya includes musicians from all walks of life. File Photo
LEFT: The Blaine Allen Orchestra that performed at the Jacobson Opera House in Minot in 1914 and 1915 provided the spark that flamed to become the Minot Symphony Orchestra.
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In its 91st season, the Minot Symphony Orchestra not only exhibits longevity but serves as a source of pride for a community that certainly is among the smallest, if not the smallest, to boast of its own full-sized symphony orchestra. The makeup of the orchestra reflects the community, with university faculty members, farmers, police officers, medical providers, students and a host of others contributing their talents. “It’s such a great collaboration,” said Ellen Fenner, executive director for the Minot Symphony Association. “It’s all walks of life but they all love the music.” The symphony traces its roots to a traveling orchestra in 1914. Blaine Allen formed a small group of around a dozen musicians, drawn from the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the group traveled to Minot by train to put on concerts with some of the musically-inclined local citizens, according to a symphony history. In 1915, Allen met an immigrant Italian violinist named Arturo Petrucci, who was living in Mohall. Allen was an influence prompting Petrucci to move to Minot and lead the orchestra, later becoming an instructor at Minot State Teachers College in 1926 as well as orchestra conductor. The college, now Minot State University, and the symphony have been joined at the hip ever since. Every conductor has been employed by MSU. That close association is a big reason for the symphony’s longevity and success, said long-time symphony member David Herzig. “The relationship between the university and the community with this symphony is truly unique,” he said. “I have never run into another relationship like this any place I have lived, nor have I heard of it happen. We would not have a symphony orchestra like we have without the cooperation of the community and the university.” In his 35 years with MSU, Petrucci was known as a colorful conductor. “He was an absolute character, funny, and he could play,” Herzig said. “He was a superb violinist. There’s no question about it.” A number of conductors
Nine members of the Minot Symphony Orchestra shown in 1977 are from left: back, Bert Skakoon, Edith Colton, Kennth Starr, Kenneth Amstutz, Judy Spitzer and Joseph Alme; front, Anne Schneider, May Kay Hirsch and Karen Martin. File Photo
followed, and each brought their own personality and sense of musicianship to the role. During the time under Ira Schwartz from 1963 to 1966, the focus was on creating a strong financial base for the orchestra. It was during this time the Minot Symphony Association was formed. The legacy of conductor Jerold Sundet, who served for most of the period from 1966 to 1981, was the creation of a “Pops” concert tradition with more popular as well as classical music. At the 1980 pops concert, North Dakota Gov. Arthur Link and his violin joined the orchestra. “The Messiah” has been performed annually since 1929 – first by the symphony orchestra for many years and later by the Heritage Singers and Voices of Note, although the orchestra still provides instrumental accompaniment. Under conductor Robert Quebbeman, the first “Scandinavian” concert was performed in 1982. It became the forerunner to
the annual Norsk Høstfest concert that now is a tradition. John Jermiason said a highlight of his years with the symphony occurred about 10 years ago with the organ concerto performance at First Lutheran Church. The church has the largest organ between Seattle and Minneapolis. Jermiason, who has performed on the viola with the orchestra continuously since 1983, originally had played with the group in the mid-70s as a sophomore in high school. Herzig joined while in high school in 1969 but left the community for about 20 years before returning and rejoining. All told, he has a 50-year relationship with the orchestra. Some of Herzig’s favorite moments have come with concerts performed on April 1 – April Fools Day. He remembers the trick played on conductor Daniel Hornstein, conductor from 1986 to 2008.
The best goes on and on for Minot Symphony Orchestra By JILL SCHRAMM • Senior Staff Writer • jschramm@minotdailynews.com
See MSO — Page 7
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Saturday, April 22, 2017
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FOLLOWING ARE THE BAND’S CONDUCTORS SINCE IT WAS FIRST ORGANIZED IN THE EARLY 1920S: – G.C. Humphries: Early 1920s – Arvel Graving: 1937-1950 – Art Jacobson: 1960 – Al Shomento: 1960-1962 – Hardy Lieberg: 1962 – Ira Schwarz: 1963-1966 – James Jurrens: 1967-1970 – Stanley Schleuter: 1971 – Robert Larson: 1972 – John E. Anderson: 1973-1976 – Joe Alme: 1977-1978 – Jack Cameron: 1979 – Joe Alme: 1980-1981 – Gary Stenehjem: 1982 – Jerry Spitzer: 1983-2016 – Joe Alme: 2017-current
City Continued from Page 4
It’s history also reports: “Over the years the band has expanded its performance schedule to include appearances at the North Dakota State Fair, Minot Air Force Base, International Peace Garden, Downtown Minot and area shopping centers, as well as numerous park and community engagements. “During the early years, the band experienced a kind of on-again, off-again existence until 1937 when Arvel Graving took the baton and directed the band until 1950. After a resting period, reorganization plans were started in 1958 with full rehearsals beginning in 1960. The director of the reorganized group, called the ‘Minot Musicians Association Band,” was Art Jacobson. In 1962, the City of Minot approved financial support and the name was changed officially to ‘The Minot City Band.’ ” The band continues to attract many of the best musicians in the Minot area. The group performs summer concerts featuring new literature as well as artist soloists. The band’s first program of the 2017 season will be June 8, at 7 p.m. in Edgewood Vista in Minot. Concerts are free to the public. For more information about concert programs watch the Minot Daily News.
THE 2017 CONCERT PROGRAM IS AS FOLLOWS: – Sunday, June 11, Oak Park. – Thursday, June 22, Scandinavian Heritage Park. – Sunday, June 25, Oak Park. – Tuesday, July 4, in conjunction with the July 4 celebration at Scandinavian Heritage Park. – Sunday, July 9, Oak Park. – Thursday, July 20, Oak Park. – Friday, July 22, North Dakota State Parade.
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MSO Continued from Page 5
“Daniel Hornstein gave a tremendous downbeat for the symphony, and there was nothing. Not a sound. He was flummoxed,” Herzig recalled. This year, conductor Efrain Amaya heard members of his orchestra break into an unexpected bit of music near the start of one of their pieces during the April 1 concert. Audiences love the gaiety of such moments, just as they love the personalities of the various conductors, Jermiason and Herzig said. Scott Seaton, who was conductor from 2012 until Amaya took the helm last season, was a favorite of audiences. People enjoyed Seaton’s showmanship, and it was reflected in concert attendance, Fenner said. “He was a very animated conductor. That’s when you can see the ticket numbers increase,” she said. Amaya, on the other hand, entertains with attire, wearing a collection of different hats, from a sorcerer’s apprentice to bull fighter, depending on the music. Louise Zuern, a harpist from Bismarck, said the conductors are the biggest influence on the musicians’ experiences. Zuern played on occasion with the Minot orchestra for 50 years. Because the harp is a specialty instrument that few play, she often was invited to provide the harp part on selected music. Playing with Minot’s musicians was always enjoyable, she said, but added, “You need to adjust to the different styles of conductors.” Joe and Joyce Alme, who retired after 46 and 44 years respectively, played under eight conductors. “Dennis Simons was the most fun,” Joe Alme said. “Every concert was not only fun for the people who went but for the musicians to play.” The Almes enjoyed per-
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forming under all their conductors, though. They were all knowledgeable, fine conductors who set high standards, Joyce Alme said. “You wanted to go to every rehearsal prepared. They were good at pulling the best out of the musicians,” she said. Joe Alme said the orchestral music was more challenging than any other music he’s performed because it was the same highquality material performed by major orchestras. Yet it never was a burden to practice and perform. “There was never a moment it wasn’t fun,” Alme said. “It was always a joy.” Joe was principal for the trombone section and Joyce principal for the flute section. As such, they were in charge of selecting their players. Developing a strong instrumental section was important because having a section that could hold its own with the other instruments was a matter of sectional pride. Amaya finds the orchestra he leads to be an interesting mix of people. It requires a conductor’s full guidance to take a group ranging from talented teenagers to seasoned musicians – all with varying levels of training – and blend this diverse group into one homogeneoussounding orchestra. Minot’s orchestra is uncommon in that sense, because many small towns that offer an orchestra bring in professional musicians as the focus of a limited number of concerts, Amaya said. The Minot orchestra has invited guest artists at times but often it is putting its own performance on the line. That requires a dedication to daily private practice and as much as a three-hour commitment to a group practice each week. The payoff for the hard work happens before audiences during their seven concerts a year. The orchestra’s next concert, themed “Storytellers,” will be April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall.
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Saturday, April 22, 2017