NEWS OF OUR MUSICIANS

2004 Archive

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1 DECEMBER 2004:

WE HAVE WINNERS in the Trivia contest!

Well, sort of.

Several people have submitted correct answers to the first ("basic") part of Trivia Topic #1, but have totally blown, or blown off, the other three parts. Nevertheless we are happy to send invaluable coupons, each good for two cookies and a visit with Santa during Christmas in the Village, to: A.H. of Rhinelander; P.W. of Monona; Y.X. of Madison, and T.T. of Dubuque, Iowa. Woo hoo, y'all; way to go.

C.S. of Madison startled the Gentle Editor by submitting correct answers to all four components of Topic 1. However, a prize will not be awarded until C.S. provides more complete material for the "gossip" and "discussion" sections.

TRIVIA TOPIC #2 is now available. Topic 1 has been archived, but is still open for answers until someone gets it completely nailed down.

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18, 19 and 20 NOVEMBER 2004:

Autumn Leonard and Amanda DeBoer: Higgins and Doolittle

Higgins and Doolittle 2004

MY FAIR LADY

took MHS by storm. Four members of the AITDJB, all seniors, lent fire to their last musical theatre production at McFarland.

Brad Anderson brought his usual decorum and inspired precision to the pit orchestra percussion parts. Tonya Neumann found opportunities to deliver "the Look" on stage, and showed a true calling for aristocracy. Amanda DeBoer and Autumn Leonard, who have been acting together since first grade, gave tour-de-force performances in the lead roles of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins. The real affection between these two fine young actors informed their performances with a charm and poignancy unusual on the school stage.

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1 OCTOBER 2004:

SOME THANKS



The Almost In Time 2004 Dixie performance season is over. It was a hoot.

On behalf of the AITDJB, I'd like to thank all who helped us have a great summer of smokin' hot Dixieland jazz. A complete thank-you list is probably not possible, but we are especially grateful to:
The McFarland School District music faculty: Bill Garvey, Dave Heilman, Anne Nichols, and Brian Vanderbloemen. Without their unbelievably generous support, it would have been much more difficult to find rehearsal space, equipment, and (of course) talented and willing musicians.

The McFarland High School and Indian Mound Middle School, especially Jim Hickey, Pat Scheurell, Gary Schneider, and all the custodial staff at MHS.

All the parents who have schlepped, chauffeured, and rescheduled, particularly Beth and Jim Anderson, whose son is a percussionist.

The organizations who have cooperated in providing performance venues, including: The McFarland Community Band, the Village of McFarland, Door Creek Church, the Family Festival, the Talent Showcase, and the Homecoming parade committee. Beth Anderson has been an especially tireless advocate with several of these groups.

The many local businesses who have been kind enough to allow us to hang advertising flyers in their windows. Thanks particularly to the McFarland Thistle for running our announcements, and to Ken's Automotive for the use of their letterboard.
Finally, my heartfelt thanks to the many fine musicians who have given so enthusiastically of their talents and time to make the band a (local) success, for four years running now. It is always a delight to perform with you, and frequently to rehearse with you: age cannot wither you, nor custom stale your infinite variety. Farewell 'til the next chart.

- Quinn

Tonya Neumann and Frank Ransley at the 2004 McFarland Family Festival Talent Showcase

Tonya Neumann and
Frank Ransley at the
2004 McFarland Family
Festival Talent Showcase

27 SEPTEMBER 2004:

FAMILY FESTIVAL WAS RETRO-DANDY

Amanda DeBoer and Quinn Leonard on the McFarland State Bank state at the 2004 McFarland Family Festival

Quinn Leonard and
Amanda DeBoer on the
Big Top stage

    The Almost In Time Dixieland Jazz Band is moving up in the world, or at least in the world of the Family Festival. This year, instead of auditioning for the Talent Showcase with the rest of the unwashed masses, we were asked to perform as the official entertainment between sections of the show. Brad Anderson, Glenn Nielsen, Autumn Leonard, Quinn Leonard, Tonya Neumann, Frank Ransley, Becky Schultz, and Steve Thorson were on hand to wow the capacity-only audience in the IMMS gymnasium on the afternoon of Saturday 25, and we were received with delight, despite forgetting to wear our tradmark white-and-red hats.

    Earlier that day we performed on the Big Top stage as an official part of the Festival's entertainment lineup. We fielded the same force, with the exception that Amanda DeBoer was on hand to sing with us. Our playlists this year included some new pieces:
It Don't Mean A Thing
Saint James Infirmary
Livery Stable Blues

and some old favorites:
Muskrat Ramble
Shine On Harvest Moon
Just a Closer Walk With Thee
The Darktown Strutters' Ball
Basin Street Blues
High Society
Tin Roof Blues
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Six Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue
When the Saints Go Marching In
The 2005 Almost In Time Dixieland Jazz Band<BR>

The 2005 Almost In Time Dixieland Jazz Band
"Retro Decades" parade float

   On Sunday 26 September, we commandeered a flatbed trailer from John Correll and, with Bruce Neumann (or rather his SUV) providing motive power, we took the Family Festival / Homecoming Parade. The theme this year was "Retro Decades", which we interpreted broadly. Frank Ransley returned to the roots of his misspent youth with a far-freakin'-out late-sixties/early-seventies ensemble; that's him giving the nuclear disarmament sign. Glenn Nielsen wore something right out of his closet: a truly remarkable sport coat from his '60s teaching days. He's in the front of the photo, with the long hair, the blue hat, and no view of his face.
The 2005 Almost In Time Dixieland Jazz Band<BR>

The 2005 Almost In Time Dixieland Jazz Band
"Retro Decades" parade float

Tonya Neumann went back farthest in time, to channel her Inner Flapper; you can see her beaded cap and bodacious fringed minidress. Quinn Leonard claimed his decade was the Fifties, represented by a Fidel Castro rig, with WSMA chest medals and a pocket full of cheap cigars.



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