Here are some pictures from our 2002 season and
activities.
Navy Band Appears February
20, 2002
An audience of some 1400 packed the Marian
College Sadoff Gym on February 20 to enjoy a superlative performance by the U.S.
Navy Band from Washington DC. With the cooperation and assistance of Marian
College, the Band was honored to sponsor the event – the first in what is
hoped to be an ongoing series of Fond du Lac performances by the great Armed
Services bands of our United States.
Ten area high school musicians were chosen by
their band directors to perform the Washington Post March with the Navy Band.
Seated in the front row, they were:
Fond du Lac High School: Quinn Sullivan, tuba; Bryan Henslin, trombone
Horace Mann High School: Stephanie Furrer, clarinet; Caleb Jurkowski, percussion
Lomira High School: Chris Del Ponte, trombone; Michelle Schultz, trumpet
St. Mary’s Springs HS: April Wagner, trumpet; Rosemary McGee, alto saxophone
Winnebago Lutheran High School: Naomi Enter, flute; David Neubauer, trumpet
Maestro Wifler's Birthday
Party
The Band surprised Music Director Ray Wifler
with a party on his 65th birthday on Feb. 18. The date conveniently coincided
with the Annual Membership Meeting night, traditionally held after one of the
first rehearsals of the spring semester.
As part of the festivities, the band enjoyed a
sumptuous lunch and cake provided by our “Band Mom” Priscilla Ehlert.
Seated with Ray were his daughter Erika and
wife Carla.
Two days later, Marian College toasted the Maestro’s birthday at a surprise
champagne reception in the Stayer Center dining room following the Navy Band
concert at the Sadoff Gym.
Dr. David Gillingham was guest of honor on Aug. 17 at a Meet the
Composer Reception and Fund-raiser at the home of band members Steve and Lynne
Uecker. Gillingham was selected by the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band to compose a
new concert piece that will be premiered by the Symphonic Band in November,
2003. The commission was originally announced in honor of Ray C. Wifler's 25th
anniversary as Music Director of the Band in spring, 1999. Dr. Gillingham is
pictured with the Uecker's, Ray Wifler, and event co-hosts Steve Peterson and
Lisha Washa. Other committee members for the fund-raiser included Mary Liz and
J. R. Julka, and Wayne and Eileen Wallschlaeger.
One of the most prolific and performed composers of our time,
Gillingham is Professor of Music Composition and Theory at Central Michigan
University, Mt. Pleasant MI. A graduate of UW-Oshkosh and Michigan State
University, he is a native of Rosendale, Wisconsin, where his parents still
reside. He is shown in this picture with Dr. Wifler and business manager Mary
Arthur.
In the spirit of the community's sesquicentennial theme last 4th
of July, the Symphonic Band's entry in the local parade was Dr. Wifler's vintage
Plymouth, an icon often seen at summer concerts and around town during the
summer months.
The Symphonic Band opened the season at Buttermilk Creek Park on
June 19 with "Encores" - a program of short selections featuring many
of the pieces to be included on a new band CD currently in production.
The Dorf Kapelle (village band), under the leadership of Ernie
Broenimann, looked out at a large audience estimated at over 2500 when it
returned to the Buttermilk Festival on July 3rd.
On August 14, the Kids from Wisconsin wowed the audience again
with their energetic, exciting mix of music from many genres and eras. The photo
above was from a medley of 1970's songs and styles.
One of the many large crowds that attended summer programs at
Buttermilk. Based on accepted methods of estimating seating capacity, the
concert area of the park can accommodate approximately 3,500 to 4,000 people.
Maestro Wifler visits with the audience at the Band's opening
concert on June 19.
On July 31, the Howard Schneider Big Band entertained nostalgia
fans with a mix of favorite dance band music from the 1940's and 50's.
A close-up view of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, on stage
June 25th for its 11th annual Festival appearance.
Sandy Scudella and Maestro Wifler sing patriotic selections at
the Band's traditional Americana concert at Lakeside Park on July 4th. This
year's theme tied in the City's Sesquicentennail celebration with such
"vintage" songs as Fond du Lac's the Place for Me!
A picture postcard view of Assistant Conductor Dale Shipe, the
flag, and beautiful Lake Winnebago, taken on the 4th of July at Lakeside Park.
Band President Bill McGee plays snare drum in the band - an
important component of an Americana Concert filled with marches and patriotic
numbers.
On July 17, the Buttermilk Festival offered an All-Star Jam
Session feauturing jazz musicians currently and formerly from Fond du Lac. On
the photo, from left to right, are Pete Runde, trombone; Bob Milanwoski, drums;
Brad Curran, trumpet; Ray Wifler, clarinet; Kevin Allen, electric bass; and Dave Sullivan on guitar.
