2001 Season

Music Director Ray Wifler (left) and Associate Conductor Dale Shipe (right) were joined by their wives, Carla Wifler and Nancee Shipe, to experience music from the audiences' perspective at the recent Milwaukee Symphony concert at Buttermilk Creek Park. Dozens of Symphonic Band members were among the 3000+ who attended the program of light classics and popular selections. MSO Associate Conductor Andrews Sill, who has conducted the orchestra at the past five performances in Fond du Lac, announced during the evening that he will not return next year as he is leaving Milwaukee for a post in Lubbock TX.

The Band's Equipment and Stage Manager, Neil Thompson, made a few final adjustments at the sound board just before the 10th annual performance by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra got underway at Buttermilk Creek Park on June 27. With nearly perfect weather and an advertising assist on cable TV by Charter Communcations, the concert drew some 3000 people - the largest audience for the MSO since the mid-1990's.

As dusk fell at Buttermilk Creek Park, the Symphonic Band was bathed in golden light at the Centennial Band Concert that opened the summer season on June 13. Soprano Sue Pitzen sang two traditional pieces from the late 1800's in the turn-of-the-century costume that she wore for the Band's Centennial in 1998.

Some 2000 people turned out on June 20 to "Komm schunkel mit Ernie!" as the Dorf Kapelle entertained with the music of Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Switzerland. The 15-piece "village band" is led by retired Plymouth WI band director Ernest Broenimann, who, along with his engaging stage personality, has a great understanding and appreciation of European wind band music.

The New Century Dance Orchestra performed to an enthusiastic audience on July 18th. The Orchestra presented a program in the style of the jazzy dance bands of the 1920's through the early swing music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Benny Goodman. The NCDO is lead by Pete Runde and Ray Wifler.

The Centennial Band, a smaller version of the Symphonic Band, was the first group to perform in the new bandstand and shelter in Town Park on Fox Lake on June 29. Shown at left is Erika Wifler, daughter of Music Director Ray Wifler. Next to her is Board member Diane Chiesa, and at right is the Band's principal flutist, Joan Perry.

The Band's traditional 4th of July concert took place on a picture-perfect night in the Joseph Schmitz Bandstand at Lakeside Park. This concert marked what is believed to be the 100th anniversary of concerts in the Bandstand, which was erected and donated to the community by William McDermott in 1901.

The Band gave its 16th annual concert in the picnic shelter at Sterr Park in Lomira on July 24. Music Director Ray Wifler spent some years as the high school band director in Lomira early in his music career. The Band's principal trombonist, Rodd Eggert, currently is Lomira HS's band director. His wife, Kari, also teaches music at Lomira and plays flute with the Symphonic Band.

The Band performed its 12th annual concert in the Village of North Fond duLac at a new location this year: the new auditorium at Horace Mann High School. The Village Voices, a group of singers from the Village, joined with the Band to sing an Irving Berlin medley and entertained during intermission. The concert was arranged for and sponsored by the NFdL Optimist Club, and cosponsored by Marine Credit Union and Fond du Lac County.