With Much Appreciation

The Tuesday Noon Concert Series Committee appreciates the wonderful musicians sang and played for their lunch this summer.  Today marked the 13th concert of the 13th season for the series, a series which would not be possible without the churches who contribute the venue, the musicians who donate their time and talent, and the committee members who facilitate this wonderful series. 

Serving on the 2014-15 Committee were Irene Eckert, Lenora Evans, Anita Firman, Kathy Goodwin, Eileen Grosland, Karen Karls, Louise KoglinFideldy, Carol Morrill, Cathy Shields, and Cherry Tinquist.  By the end of September, these friends will have sifted through an extensive list of recommended musicians and begun to inquire into their interest in "serving" up their music next summer.  In January the participating churches will have been contacted to ascertain their available dates, and musicians will have asked to indicated the dates on which they can not perform. 

In a really good year, the Committee will be able to set the season at this point.  But life does happen and circumstances change, so right up until the performance date, the Committee stands by to bring Grand audiences the best entertainment available.  This year the talents of the Committee were tested and they stepped up.  Six Committee members and eight of their friends delivered a 45-minute, unrehearsed concert enjoyed by all.

That was August 8th and at the end of the concert, Molli Ophoven texted her thanks and the Family's request to deliver the delightful concert they had prepared next year.  Life permitting you can expect to see all the Ophovens in a 2016 concert. 

So until we meet again, the Committee thanks each and everyone of you, wishes only the best for you and your families, and looks forward to meeting you through music each Tuesday during the summer of 2016.

Swing Delivery Wraps Up Season 13

Swing Delivery serves up the sweet sounds of the Big Band era this Tuesday Noon, Aug. 25 at the Assemblies of God Church in Grand Rapids.  Each Tuesday this summer 200-350 music lovers have turned out at area churches to celebrate life with the area's talented musicians.  As always the concert is free; donations in excess of expenses are returned to music programs in the community and to scholarshipping a junior/senior college music major. The church benefits from the proceeds from the $6.00 church luncheon following the concert.
 
Aug. 25th  saxophones – Eileen Grosland, Tom Grosland, Sarah Mason, Colton Hass; trumpets – Larry Schroth, Mike Wourms, Chad Snider; trombones – Tom Patnaude, Gary Harris; pianist Jim Mason, bass Bryan Harris, and percussionist Mike Miller will set your feet tapping and your heart dancing as they play such favorites as "Mr. Wonderful,"Don't Get Around Much Anymore," and "Night and Day." Several have been arranged especially for the ensemble by retired teacher Larry Schroth.

Swing Delivery, a multi-talented group, plays for many events including wedding receptions, community celebrations, private parties and fundraisers.  Always generous with their time and talent, these musicians came together 15 years ago to keep the Big Band music alive.  Performing from behind pedestals similar to the Lawrence Welk band, each musician lives for and through the music.  Showmanship comes naturally to these performers and the audience is in for another happy time Tuesday noon at the Assemblies of God Church in Grand Rapids.

Sarah Mason: Chasing the Rainbow

Tuesday noon  Aug. 18 at Community Presbyterian Church, Sarah Mason will help us chase our individual rainbows with a recap of her senior recital at Concordia College in Moorhead.

A long time favorite of vocalists and instrumentalists alike Sarah is known for her adept accompaniment skills, but this Tuesday will feature Sarah and her musicianship on several instruments.
Sarah’s program entitled "A Little Bit of Everything”  will feature her at the piano, playing clarinet and handbells, and singing and doing some jazz stuff with her dad. Her sister Abi will also be participating in several numbers.  

Sarah's goal is to be a little more like my dad.  And as so many of you know, Jim Mason can make most musicians sparkle.  She is contracted by the Ely school district in the fall to teach general music and share the wealth of her experience and talent. 

So join us a Community Presbyterian Church, 703 N. Pokegama Ave. at noon this Tuesday.  Linger with your friends over a $6.00 luncheon after an enjoyable free concert that sends us all chasing rainbows.

Playin' Truth

Tuesday noon, August 11 Playin’ Truth will be performing a blend of gospel and old-time favorites at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cohasset.

Playin’ Truth  is a gospel band of acoustic, country- bluegrass style.  Since 2013, the group has enjoyed performing songs of faith, love, and good living.  Listeners to Playing Truth will hear a selection of old favorites as well as lesser-heard songs with a great message. 

Each local band member brings a unique musical history to the group.  

Tom Hopkins, rhythm guitar player and vocalist, has been singing and playing locally for decades.  He brings an amazing and rich repertoire of bluegrass gospel songs to the group.   John Yurrick, upright bass player, has a great ear for music and brings with him years of experience with  the local band Not Necessarily Bluegrass.   Vern and Cindy Hawkinson, play lead guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, lend their sweet sounding, husband and wife harmonies to many of the group’s songs. 

Playing lead guitar and mandolin is Arkansas native Jason Roper, who seems to play any stringed instrument with equal ease, but he is most at home with the sounds of traditional bluegrass and old-time country music. As lead vocalist, Leanne Brenden enjoys singing the melodies and message of gospel music, as well as sweet harmonies. 

Leanne tells us that the group is looking forward to another Tuesday noon performance.  That’s at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cohasset, Tuesday, August 11. 

Grace Under Pressure

Come early as lunch tickets sold out last week.  This week's Tuesday noon concert features Playin' Truth at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cohasset.  

Last week about 350 appreciative audience members turned out at St. Andrew's to hear The Ophovens.  Due to Elizabeth's hospitalization, the Family had asked to be absent from the scheduled Aug. 4 concert.  

 Fortunately, the Committee was able to relay Molli Ophoven’s communication of better days ahead that morning, and Elizabeth was scheduled to be released later Tuesday.  Since then The Family  has requested a concert next summer when medical issues have been resolved.  We apologize to those of you who came specifically to hear the Ophovens, and we thank those of you who stayed and participated in the substitute concert. 

 From Saturday noon through Tuesday noon, the Committee scrambled and appealed to their friends.  And fifteen local musicians stepped up.  The Tuesday Concert Committee greatly appreciates musicians Maria Annoni, Katie Benes, Irene Eckert, Lenora Evans, Eileen and Gracie Grosland, Niels Henriksen, Susan Loeffler, Jim Mason, Carol Morrill, Jonathon Shields, Staci Taylor, and Mary Jo Wimmer.  Most of these folks were able to rehearse Tuesday morning at 10:00, but a few (because of job restraints) simply slipped in and performed.   Together the group delivered a dynamite performance at 12:00.

       From the opening number “Amazing Grace” to the closing number sung by a standing audience singing “America, the Beautiful,” the Tuesday Tuners delivered a polished vocal and instrumental program worthy of broadcast.  How incredibly rich the Grand Rapids’ community is to have so many wonderful, generous musicians who exhibit such grace under pressure. 

Inspired by the Songs We Sing

From traditional chants to ballads of the 50's, Tuesday, July 28's program at the United Methodist Church will keep  you entertained.  The lead musicians  John Scheuer and Susan Hoolihan work together in music ministry at Grand Rapids United Methodist Church and enjoy collaborating on recital repertoire for voice and piano.

John holds a BA in voice from the College of St. Scholastica, an MM in voice from Holy Names College in California.  Currently, he's  working on a Masters in Theology and the Arts from United
Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities.

Susan is well known piano instructor in the Grand Rapids area and accomplished pianist/organist. Susan has received acclaim her "up for any music" attitude and her expert ability to make even the most mediocre instrument sing.  She holds music degrees from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and a MA in sightreading from Catholic University in Washington D.C.

The program includes several additional musicians and instruments, including flute, guitar, banjo, and a couple of "proclaimers."  As usual, a $6 church luncheon follows the free concert.  Donations in excess of expenses are used for a music scholarship and church music programs.

Musical Musings

July 21's noon concert at Zion Lutheran Church offers yet another work of art.  Coming together for this concert are two extraordinary Greenway graduates who continue to serve community with their music.   Daniel Petric enjoys using music and its powerful emotions to express his faith. Dan is studying to become a director of parish music at Concordia University in St. Paul. He sings Tenor and is president of Concordia University’s Christus Chorus. He is principal clarinetist and Concert Master of the Concordia Wind Ensemble. Involved in Jazz band,Concordia’s brass quintet, handbells, chapel band, and president of pep band, Dan is on track to graduate in the spring of 2016.

Joleen Mortensen, a 2010 graduate of Greenway High School, attended Itasca Community College. At Greenway she was a member of the Concert Choir, and Raider Singers. She received Superior
ratings in State-Region Contest from 9th grade through her senior year. She also auditioned for and was selected for MN All-State Women’s Choir in 2009 and the MN All-State Mixed Choir in 2010.
Jolene now lives in Hibbing and is employed by the American State Bank of the North. She enjoys knitting, crocheting, making jewelry,and gardening. She sings with the Itasca Community Chorus and is
active as a soloist in the area.

Bonnie Kangas, who started piano lessons at age 7,  began to enjoythem several years later. In junior high, she started accompanying choirs and soloistsand has continued throughout the years, taking sometime off to begin a family. She was the accompanist for both Joleen and Dan through their high school musical ventures. Currently, sheaccompanies the Grand Rapids Area Male Chorus and Greenway choirs and bands. She and her husband Cal enjoy country living, gardening, beekeeping, and cooking. She is employed at a privatenursing home in Grand Rapids.

Handel, Schubert, and Mendelsoohn selections are sure to please the classical afficianados while Mark Haye's "Water is Wide" speaks to all us folks. From the opening number "Vittoria, mio core!" by Giacomo Carissimo to their closing Sager/Foster's "The Prayer," this dynamic trio will deliver a rich feast of choral and instrumental music.

One Woman; Three Men

Vivacious brunette with the sultry jazz voice, Kathy Goodwin modestly entitles next week's program "75% Guys."  The dynamic combo, composed of the popular Jim Mason, Larry Schroth, and Bryan Harris instrumentalists, brings standards like "Ain't Misbehavin" and "You Go to My Head" to life as Kathy and the men shape the music and dramatic components to produce a show reminiscent of the Patsy Cline Show.  As the local Patsy Cline, Kathy will deliver selections from the show itself and remind us that "Fools Rush In" probably because these musicians are experts at "More Than You Know" and "Town Without Pity." 

"God Bless the Child" and all audience members who turn out for this combo that works so hard year round to keep music and good will alive in the community.