Band memories from high school

On Facebook at Mike's wall for MMHS classmates, I asked about band memories and who continued with their music and got some good ones from our era. I'm adding them here, or they will be lost. The memories went all the way back to Beth Amsrud (d. 1997 at 89), who was sort of a circuit music teacher, covering many small districts.

Mike wrote: “I played the clarinet right next to Eddie Gruen. Frannie Kitzmiller was squeaking right behind me. We both squeaked our way into retirement. I was late to a basketball game where the band was playing and Beth Amsrud told me not to come back. Don't think I was too disappointed.” 

Jon wrote: "I played the drums as most of you will remember. I started taking lessons in Rockford when I was in 4th grade. I believe I got to start playing in the High School band later in 5th grade. I believe Sylvia and I were the first ones in our class to play in The Kable Band. After high school I pretty much quit playing.  I won contest awards I believe four times in solo drums and then we did a quartet I believe once or twice. It was so long ago I do not remember all of the details. I am sure Sylvia won as well as several others that went to contest. One of the fun things we did was to put together the top people in each section of the band and combine it with the same from all bands in the conference. We practiced all afternoon along with top individuals from the HS choirs. We then did a performance that evening for the parents. That was a really fun day for me. I still love music." [I think Jon is referring to the Blackhawk Music Festival.]

Sylvia wrote: "Jon Martin and I played in the Kable Band under J.J. Richards in 1954. He received a check at the end of the season for $13.15. Me...I only got $8.85. (I think I had another job, or was at Camp some weeks.). It was a privilege to play for Richards. He was a well-known conductor, next to Sousa. Richards performed and conducted in the Ringling Circus Band.

My first band experience was with "No-nonsense" Beth Amsrud. Was thrilled to play in the high school band with Nancy Thomas Brinker, Joy Edwards, and Mike Miller. On to Manchester College band. Great flute section and flute friends there. Back to MM to Kable band, then onto Maryland. Played in Rockville Community Band. Many retired outstanding service band members. Great band. Played. Evening concert outside the Kennedy Center in DC.

Back to MM and Kable Band. Also, fun playing in Pit orchestra for Pag performances. And for the last 6 years, I've traveled to Sarasota, FL, to play with the Windjammers. (A group that plays circus music.) So thanks to all conductors, "encouragers", etc. It's been a fun ride...you just never know where music will take you. (Tell your kids that! They won't be sorry.) Thanks again to both Reckmeyers and other conductors.  I wouldn't have changed one minute.

Other class members in the Kable band according to old payroll records (which Sylvia has) were Salley Olsen, Darlene Holverson, Dwayne Zipse, and Nelson Potter.

According to a 1955 program I have, other class members in the high school band were Lynne F., Nancy L., Sharon R., Sara Y. and Priscilla D.

 I (Norma) played trombone with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Reckmeyer in high school. I had started the bassoon in elementary school and hated it, picked up my brother's trombone one day and never gave it back. It's not an instrument you take to a party, and I think I sold it around 1967 when we moved to Columbus. My husband bought me one for my 50th birthday as well as hiring a trombonist to come to the house and play for me. But it was too late . . .　

I looked up Mrs. Amsrud’s obituary, and she died in 1997 at 89. "Beth began her career in 1929 teaching band in the following schools: Chadwick, Thomson, Cordova, Elizabeth, Orangeville, Mount Morris, Byron, Oregon, and Forreston, where she started teaching full time in 1951. She retired in 1964 after 37 years." I had her in Forreston because she also did the school wide musicals that included the elementary kids. It's amazing she could remember not only what town she was in, but our names. It's in my memory she also had the little one room rural schools and folded them in when we had large events.