Warner Bros. special showing of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" will be the highlight of the 1962 band festival.

So this year invitations are being issued to more than 100 bands in the 50 states of the Union to join the North Iowa and Southern Minnesota bands in the event, the biggest band festival ever attempted.

THE VANGUARD of this huge celebration is this year's band festival committee who will lay the groundwork for the world's biggest band festival a year from now.

The thousands of high school musicians who come to Mason City annually will be on their toes this year for a better festival than ever.

County and city officials are planning ways and means of handling a larger flow of traffic festival day. And the Mason City school system will be planning how to increase facilities for doubling the number of visitors next year.

Warner Bros. also expect to have a scout in Mason City Band Festival Day to see how the festival is handled. And organizations, service clubs and retailers will be viewing this year's show with an eye to tremendous growth.

BOB DOUGLAS is general chairman of the entire festival. Jim Bradley is the men's chairman for the queens. Others on the executive committee are Paul Behm, C. E. Blanchard, P. O. Brunsvold, Stan Davis, Dave Hirsch, Dan Klempnauer, Lester Milligan, Rod Skillman, Enoch Norem, Ray Senny, Carleton Stewart, John D. Vance, Dick Wolf, Ken Kew, Bob Barner, C. R. Swartling, Jack MacNider, Karl Johannsen, Al Kedrock, Bob Foster, Lyle Bergo, Al Gemaehlich and Dick Wagner.

Al Gemaehlich is general chairman of the parade. Dick Wagner is parade co-chairman. Jack Nielsen is in charge of policing. Gary Mendon, bands; Bob Fox, convertibles for the queen candidates and distinguished guests; and Jack Carlson, floats. Bob Umbarger will be in charge of radios and Clayt Schulz and Mike Moeller, concessions.

Telephones and communications are in charge of Stan Reynolds. Public address system for Central Park and Roosevelt Stadium is in charge of Herb and George Radio Service. Boyd Arnold and the Fire Department are in charge of street decorations. Willis Fitzgerald is in charge of the platform and seats in Central Park.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES for the park will be Harold Walton, president of the Toastmasters, and Dick Morel, Fred Feuchel, C. Clarke, Ted Enabnit and Harold Younger. Red Blanchard of KSMN will introduce the queens at the park. Al & Dick's will have the service truck. Charles Kraft will be in charge of bleachers. Leo Risacher, John Hrubetz and Capt. Stan McClintock will be in charge of police duties. The 40 & 8 will be in charge of ushering.

Byron Seymour will have the standby program in case of rain. Bob Mott will be in charge of connections for the park PA system. Don Goddard will be in charge of Boy Scouts. Paul Tanstow will be in charge of the tent in Central Park. Gene Perry of Combs Advertising Co. will be in charge of signs. Keith Sanborn will deliver checks at the band masters luncheon.

Jim Bradley is chairman of the host committee to the queens. Others on the committee are J. J. McDonald, Warren Clark, Jim Sheeby, Russ Seidel, Dick Morel, Charles Blanchard, Bob Sarset, Joe Bittner and Jerry Chait.

MRS. CHARLES SCHAFFER and Mrs. William Turner are co-chairmen of the hostess committee for the queens. Others on the committee are: Mrs. J. B. Chauncey, Mrs. Jack Buehner, Mrs. James Brown, Mrs. William Miller, Mrs. Les Johnstone, Mrs. Arthur Fischbeck, Mrs. Carleton Stewart, Jr., Mrs. D. L. Dibble and Mrs. Paul Morgan.

Judges for the queen candidates are Ed Gage, chairman; and the service club presidents: Jim Brown, Lions; Art Fischbeck, Kiwanis; Paul Hughes, Exchange; and Dick Stoyles, Jaycees.

Bil; Wanger and the Rotary Club will be in charge of getting the bands into the stadium at night. The Lions Club will furnish the ushers for Central Park. The Kiwanis Club will furnish the ushers for general admission to the night show. The Exchange Club will usher for the reserved seat platform.

THE JUNIOR CHAMBER will be in charge of the queen's throne. Glen Haydon will be in charge of First Aid. L. E. Snell will be in charge of ambulances. Rollo C. Keithahn will be in charge of car parking. Tyler Stewart will have charge of the flag raising. A. E. Smith will have charge of communications at the night show.

Harley Klemas and Maynard Nelson will be in charge of special shows at the theaters. John Calhoun will be in charge of swims at the YMCA. Russ Benson will be in charge of roller skating. Mrs. R. H. Isennsee and the Mason City Woman's Club will have charge of the hostesses for the schools. Ken Kew will act as M.C. for the night show at Roosevelt Stadium.

Shirley Ott and the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce will take charge of the former queens returning from 1946. North Iowa Citizens Band Club will assist in communications for the parade. Paul Behm will be in charge of visiting bands.

HOSTESSES COMMITTEE - Queen candidates in the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival will be served throughout the day and evening by this hostess committee. Left to right are: (front row) Mrs. Carleton Stewart, Jr., Mrs. James Brown, Mrs. J. B. Chauncey, Mrs. Les Johnstone and Mrs. William Turner, co-chairman; (back row) Mrs. C. A. Schaffer, chairman, Dee Dibble, Mrs. Jack Buehner, Mrs. William Miller, Mrs. Art Fishbeck and Mrs. Paul Morgan.

Mason City High School Band, Paul W. Behm, director.

 

Only 3 of 35 bandmasters listed in 1946
to march in this year's parade

Only three of the bandmasters who brought bands to the 1946 North Iowa Band Festival will lead their charges down Federal Avenue in this year's event.

Bobby Griggs, former Mason City musician now living in Blue Earth, Minn., will head the band from St. John's of Bancroft. In 1946 he brought the Falls Township High School Band.

O. K. Conklin, now at Fredericksburg, brought the band from Greene and the one from Marble Rock 15 years ago.

SIGURD FARDAL will head the Forest City band this year as he did in 1946 but he is no longer its regular director. Merlin Schneider, its bandmaster, will not be able to attend and Fardal will substitute. Fardal now heads the instrumental music in the elementary and junior high classes at Forest City.

Marcus G. Boe, who was the Eagle Grove bandmaster 15 years ago, now heads the vocal music department there. John Kopecky had both the Clear Lake and Plymouth bands in 1946. He is now retired but still lives at Clear Lake.

Also retired is W. A. Storer who had the Rockford band in 1946 as well as working with instrumental musicians in Mason City's elementary schools. He still lives in Mason City.

TWO MASON CITYANS still head the bands they directed in 1946. J. J. Fitzgerald still is bandmaster at Monroe Junior High and Henry T. Paine, at Roosevelt Junior High. Next year, however, Paine will be at the new John Adams Junior High.

Carleton L. Stewart, director of the 1946 Mason City High School Band, now owns his own music store in Mason City, having turned the baton over to Paul Behm.

Other bandmasters listed in the 1946 program were:

J. Q. Kongsback, Ackley; J. Wendell Schar, Bode; Durwood Griffin, Britt; Don Barrows, Carpenter: Howard P. Berry, Clarion; Gordon L. Cosner, Dumont; E. Elling Melby, Emmetsburg; James Selland, Fertile: Florence Ballantyne, Garner; Joe McCoy, Hampton.

James Selland, Hanlontown; John Kawalke, Kensett; Wilbur C. Harris, Lake Mills; James W. Freeman, Latimer; Ione D. Lease, Lone Rock; Alice Selness, Manly; Leon W. Krafft, Nashua; Luverne Lee, Nora Springs; Wilber C. Harris, Northwood.

Wayne Summers, Renwick; Irwin W. Edie, Rudd; Don Barrows, St. Ansgar; Dale Vige, Thompson; Arlene Halvorson, Ventura; R. C. Baskins, Wellsburg; and H. A. Clairborne, West Bend.

There were only 35 visiting bands in 1946, the first year the North Iowa Band Festival was revived after World War II. This year there will be 81 bands despite the many high schools having ceased to exist because of consolidations.

To view enlargement of the following three queens pages below,
click on the thumbnail image then the magnifying glass icon on the webpage that comes up;
to return to this webpage, click on your brower's 'back' button.

  Candidates for Miss North Iowa of 1961:

CONNIE GEER Miss Rockwell - Swaledale Connie Geer will be Rockwell - Swaledale's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by the band twirlers. She plays saxophone in the concert band, marching band, stage band, pep band and in the saxophone quartet. She has Division I ratings in saxophone solos, pianos solo, saxophone quartet, vocal solos and small vocal groups. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Geer, Rockwell. Her father is a Standard Oil agent.		SHARON APKA Miss Lakota Sharon Apka will be a candidate for Miss North Iowa from Lakota at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by the Lakota senior band members. She is a member and treasurer of the band, chorus and girls glee club and a cheerleader. She is secretary of the student council and plays softball. An excellent student, she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Apka, Lakota. Her father is the Ford garage foreman.		CAROL ANDERSON Miss Elkton Carol Anderson, Miss Elkton, Minn., was chosen by the band to be a candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she is a member of G.R.A., the band and annual staff. She was Valentine Queen in her sophomore year. Her interests are reading and sewing. Miss Anderson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Anderson, who farm near Elkton, Minn.		SHIRLEY PATTERSON Miss St. Ansgar Shirley Patterson will be St. Ansgar's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. Elected by the band, of which she is a member, she is F.H.A. treasurer, National Honor Society vice president and editor of "Highlights," the school yearbook. She is active in vocal music, treasurer of junior and senior classes, student council secretary-treasurer, office and teacher assistant, courtesy queen and appeared in the junior play. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Patterson, who farm near St. Ansgar.		NORLENE THOMPSON Miss Alexander Norlene Thompson will be Alexander's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by the band in which she plays solo cornet, is a member of the cornet trio, brass sextet and quartet. She also is a member of the girls' sextet, glee club and mixed chorus. She a guard on the basketball team, a member of the annual and paper staffs, class officer two years and has appeared in class plays. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Thompson, who farm near Alexander.
CAROL KONRAD Miss Carpenter Carol Konrad will be Miss Carpenter, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by the school. She plays French horn in the band and is a member of the pep band, senior play, girls sextet, girls trio, girls chorus and mixed chorus. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Konrad, who farm near Carpenter.		MONA KAHL Miss Brittt Mona Kahl is the candidate from Britt for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by the band, of which she is secretary, head twirler and assistant drum majorette in the marching band and plays in the swing band and saxophone trio. She sings in the mixed chorus, is on the newspaper and annual staffs, is varsity cheerleader and in the senior play. She is the 1960 Kossuth Band Festival Queen. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Kahl, farm near Britt.		KATHY WILLIS Miss Titonka Kathy Willis will be Miss Titonka, candidate for the title Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 12. A senior, she was elected by band members. She is active in the mixed chorus, girls glee club, band, class play and library staff. Miss Willis is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Willis, who farm near Titonka.		BEVERLY SOLTAU Miss LeRoy - Ostrander Beverly Soltau is the candidate from LeRoy - Ostrander, Minn., for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She plays in the band and sextet, is editor of the school paper, plays basketball and bowls. She was student director of junior and senior class plays. She is the senior band president. Miss Soltau is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Soltau, Route 1, LeRoy, Minn. Her father is an electrician for Hormel Packing Co., Austin,		JEAN POST Miss Rockford Jean Post is the candidate from Rockford for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She was chosen by the high school band. She is a senior member of the concert band, marching band and pep band. She sings in the choir and girls glee club, is president of the student council and the national society and is co-editor of the annual. She also was chosen as a delegate to Girls State. Miss Post is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl M. Post of Rockford. Her father is a mechanic.
KAREN ANN HESSE Miss Nora Springs Karen Ann Hesse is a candidate from Nora Springs for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by the members of the band. She has been on the honor roll all four years and is rated third in her class. She plays in the band, is in dramatics, mixed chorus, on the library staff, newspaper staff and in the art and ceramics clubs. She is vice president of the student council and feature editor of the annual. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Hesse, who farm near Nora Springs.		SHARON BERKELAND Miss Bricelyn Sharon Berkeland will be Miss Bricelyn, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she plays first chair French horn in the band, is a member of the pep band and is co-editor of the school paper. She has served as treasurer of her class. Miss Berkeland is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Berkeland, who lives near Bricelyn, Minn. Her father is a farmer.		PHYLLIS HARTWIG Miss Grafton Phyllis Grafton is the candidate from Grafton for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by the Grafton band. She participated in basketball, softball and cheerleading during high school. She is secretary of the senior class. She played flute in the band throughout high school. She was active in the glee club, mixed chorus, band committee, class plays and the annual staff and was sports editor for the school newspaper. She is a daughter of Irene Hartwig and the late Morley Hartwig. Her mother is a receptionist at a doctor's office in Grafton.		CAROLYN FLOOD Miss Garner - Hayfield Carolyn Flood will be Miss Garner - Hayfield, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by members of the band. She plays in the band, sings in the chorus, is on the school newspaper staff, is a cheerleader and member of the Pep Club. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Flood, Garner. Her father is mayor of Garner.		JANNA TOWLE Miss Hansell Janna Towle was chosen by the band to be Miss Hansell, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she is active in music, basketball, dramatics, Pep Club and on the annual staff. Miss Towle is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Towle, who live at Hampton. Her father is manager of Farmers Hybrid.
KATHY MITTELSTADT Miss Blue Earth Kathy Mittelstadt is the candidate of the Blue Earth, Minn., band for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival, June 13. She plays flute in the band, of which she is vice president, and also plays cello in the orchestra. She is president of the Pep Club, member of the school paper staff and sings in the mixed chorus. She was in the junior class play and a winner in the local speech contest. Miss Mittelstadt is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fed Mittelstadt, Blue Earth. Her father is retired.		KAREN ANN FISCHER Miss Janesville Karen Ann Fischer of Janesville, Minn., is her school band's choice for Miss Janesville at the North Iowa Band Festival June 13. She is a candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa. A senior, she is editor of the school annual, reporter on the paper [staff], treasurer of the drama club and a member of the chorus and Latin club. She was student director of the junior and senior plays, played in the band and was named salutatorian of her of her class. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fischer, who farm near Madison Lake, Minn.		SUE BESSMAN Miss Alden, Iowa Sue Bessman, a leading student in both academic and extra curricular activities throughout her school training, is a candidate for Miss North Iowa. She will be Miss Alden, Iowa, at the North Iowa Band Festival June 13. She is an outstanding athlete, editor of the school paper and is head accompanist of the music department. She also is a member of the band and ranks very high scholastically. Miss Bessman is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cletis Bessman, Alden. Her father is a merchant in Alden.		WANDA ALBERTSON Miss Klemme Wanda Albertson will be Miss Klemme, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by members of the Klemme band. She plays in the percussion section of the band and is a member of the girls glee club. pep band, mixed chorus and double mixed quartet, class play, operetta and annual staff. She is [the] treasurer of her class. She is a daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. J. E. Albertson, who have lived in Klemme since last July.		CONNIE HALVERSON Miss Thompson Connie Halverson will be a candidate from Thompson for the title Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by the school. She is a member of the band, senior editor on the school paper, member of the annual staff and plays basketball. She is a member of the brass sextet, with Division I rating, class officer and band officer. She plays clarinet and French horn. Miss Halverson is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Halverson, who farm near Thompson.
HILDEGARDE STREYLE Miss Alden, Minn. Hildegarde Streyle will be Miss Alden, Minn., a candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. She was chosen by the Alden High School Band. A senior, she plays French Horn in the concert band and is a member of the girls' glee club and mixed chorus. She is editor of the school newspaper, treasurer of the National Honor Society, secretary of the senior class and a member of the Spanish Club. Miss Streyle is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Streyle, who farm near Alden, Minn.		RUTH ANN ENDELMAN Miss Allison Ruth Ann Endelman will be Allison's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by the Allison band. She is president of the student council, treasurer of the pep club, plays flute in the concert band and tenor drum in the marching band. She sings in the mixed chorus and girls glee club and is a member of the annual staff. She was queen's attendant for Allison May Day in her freshman and junior years. She was homecoming queen for the Allison-Bristow Trojans in her senior year. Miss Endelman is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Endelman, who farm near Allison.		DOROTHY OSTENDORF Miss Meservey Dorothy Ostendorf is Meservey's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ostendorf of Meservey. She was chosen by the band in which she plays first trombone. A senior, she also participates in the chorus and small groups. She played basketball and spoke at the preliminary and district speech contests. She has been a class officer four years. She is also a member of the year book and school paper staffs. Her father is employed by the Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Co.		JUDY GERBER Miss Algona Judy Gerber is the candidate from Algona for the title of Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she is a member of the mixed chorus, girls chorus and is accompanist for the chorus. She was chosen by the band members. She plays flute in the concert band, is a member of the pep band and a majorette. Other activities include G.R.A., F.H.A., cheerleader, cadettes, annual staff, pep club and business manager for the class play. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Gerber, who farm near Algona.		BETTE JOHNSON Miss Belmond Bette Johnson has been chosen by the band as Miss Belmond to represent their school in the Band Festival June 13. She will be a candidate for the title Miss North Iowa. A senior, Miss Johnson plays tympani in the band and is a twirler. She is on the student council. She sings in the choir, trio, sestet and is a first soprano soloist. She is editor of the yearbook and president of the Spanish Club. Miss Johnson is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Johnson, Belmond. Her father is employed at Thompson & Keleber Clothing.
MARJORIE ANN MEYER Miss Woden - Crystal Lake Marjorie Ann Meyer is the candidate from Woden-Crystal Lake for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival. A senior, she was chosen by the band, of which she is a member and plays solo cornet. She is a member of the brass quartet and pep band and has been president and secretary-treasurer of the band. She is also active in vocal music, girls sextet and trio, mixed quartet and has a Division I rating in solo work. She is a forward on the basketball team, member of the annual staff and appears in plays. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer A. Meyer, who farm near Woden.		SUSAN PURCELL Miss Fertile Susan Purcell will be Fertile's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She is active in both vocal and instrumental music, is a member of the girls trio, girls quartet, mixed quartet, mixed octet and sextet and also is president of the student council, class officer and co-editor of the yearbook. She plays basketball and softball and is active in dramatics. A senior, she was selected by the band. Miss Purcell is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Purcell. Her father is a drainage contractor.		DORIS TAYLOR Miss Elmore Doris Taylor will be Miss Elmore, Minn., candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13 in Mason City. A senior, Miss Taylor plays in the high school band, sings in the chorus and is on the annual staff. She is a member of the G.A.A., F.H.A. and F. T. A. She was chosen as Elmore's queen by the members of the band. Miss Taylor is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Taylor, who farm near Elmore.		JO ANNE JOHNSON Miss Ayrshire Jo Anne Johnson will be Miss Ayrshire, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she plays in the band, sings in the girls' chorus and mixed chorus and is accompanist and soloist, sings with small vocal groups, plays basketball and softball and participates in dramatics. She was selected by the school band. Miss Johnson is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Avery A. Johnson, who farm near Ayrshire.		JOAN NICHOLS Miss Clarion Joan Nichols will be Clarion's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eldo Nichols, who farm near Clarion, is a senior and is the selection of the high school band. She plays French horn in the band, sings in the chorus and mixed sextet and is on the newspaper staff. In 4-H she took 20 exhibits to the Eagle Grove District Fair and receive 16 blue ribbons. She also has won many honors in 4-H work.
MARY MILLER Miss Rodman Mary Miller is the candidate from Rodman for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by the Rodman senior band. She plays saxophone in the concert band and bells in the marching band, sings in the chorus, is a pianist, participates in plays and softball and is active in small groups. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Miller, who farm near Rodman.		SANDRA BERGE Miss Clear Lake Sandra Berge will be Miss Clear Lake, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival. A senior, she was chosen by the band, plays in the concert band and with flute ensembles. She was Homecoming queen attendant, senior class vice president, member of the annual staff and Hi-Tri treasurer. entera She was a member of the pep club, girls glee club and chorus. Miss Berge is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Berge of Clear Lake. Her father is superintendent of the Clear Lake schools.		JUDY GOURLEY Miss Corwith - Wesley Judy Gourley is the candidate from Corwith-Wesley for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She is president of the senior class and participates in both the concert and marching bands. She was elected by the school band members. She is active in mixed chorus, declam, class plays, softball and basketball and editor of the year book. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Gourley, who farm near Corwith.		VIRGINIA SCHUBERT Miss Ventura Virginia Schubert is the candidate from Ventura for the title of Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She is a senior and the choice of the Ventura band. She plays in the band, sings in the mixed chorus and girls glee club, is a member of the annual and newspaper staffs, participates in small music groups and is on the basketball team. She was a Homecoming queen and Sweetheart queen. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Schubert, who farm near Garner.		CARLENE NOLTE Miss Dumont Carlene Nolte is a candidate from Dumont for the title of Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by the high school band. During her high school career she played basketball, played flute in the concert and marching bands, and participated in small groups in music contests. She also sang in the mixed chorus and girls glee club. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nolte, who farm near Ackley.
CAROLYN HOVEY Miss Ruthven Carolyn Hovey will be Ruthven's candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She is a junior in high school and was elected by the band, with which she has been playing six years. She plays basketball, sings in the chorus and glee club and is in the all-high school play. She is recreation chairman and historian for F.H.A. She has been a class officer, a member of the junior-senior council and student council secretary. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Seth Hovey, Ruthven. Her father is a road supervisor.		MARCIA PETERSON Miss Lake Mills Marcia Peterson will be Lake Mills' candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She has been an active member of the high school band for six years and is vice president of the organization. A senior, she was chosen by the band. She also sings in the chorus and small groups and is a member of the annual and newspaper staffs. She plays oboe in the concert band and clarinet in the marching band. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Milton A. Peterson. Her father is a partner in the Peterson Furniture store.		ROBERTA JONES Miss Goldfield Roberta Jones will be Miss Goldfield, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. She won honorable mention as guard on the All-State Girls' Basketball Team. She is first chair flutist in the Goldfield concert band and first flute in the flute quartet and flute trio, both receiving Division I rating in contest work. A senior, she was chosen by the Band. Miss Jones is a daughter of Sylvus Jones, food market owner of Goldfield.		JA NELL JOHNSON Miss Forest City Ja Nell Johnson will be Forest City's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold C. Johnson, Forest City, her father is a state dairy food inspector. A senior, she was chosen by the band. She participates in mixed chorus, girls glee club, girls trio, mixed quartet, girls quartet, girls sextet, madrigal, soloist, concert band, marching band and pep band. She has appeared in operettas, one-act plays and class plays. She is secretary of the FT.A. Club, the G.R.A. and a cheerleader and member of the school paper staff and student council.		MARY BARNES Miss Sheffield - Chapin Mary Barnes will be Miss Sheffield-Chapin, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. She is active in the instrumental music department. She is a member of the concert band, marching band, stage band, brass choir, brass sextet, trombone quartet, jazz combo and student conductor of the pep band. She is a Division I trombone soloist in state competition. She was elected carnival queen. Miss Barnes is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Barnes, who farm near Sheffield. A senior, she was elected by the band.
GERALDINE CLAUS Miss North Central Geraldine Glaus is the candidate from North Central for the title of Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by the school band. She plays bass drum in the band, sings in the mixed chorus and girls glee club and is on the varsity basketball squad. She is secretary of the senior class and a member of the annual staff. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Claus, who farm near Plymouth.		LINDA CLARK Miss LuVerne Linda Clark will be Miss LuVerne, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A junior, she was chosen by the band. She is active in basketball, softball and as a twirler in the band. She sings in the mixed chorus and girls glee club and has been president of her class for two years. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Clark, LuVerne, Iowa. Her father is a grain dealer.		JUDY CHRISTIANSEN Miss Graettinger Judy Christiansen will be Miss Graettinger, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was selected by members of the band. She is active in the band, vocal music and basketball and is a member of the annual staff, a class officer and member of the Future Homemakers of America. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Christiansen, who live at Graettinger. Her father is a plumber.		SUSAN OLSON Miss Twin Rivers Susan Olson is the candidate from Twin Rivers of Bode. A senior, she was the choice of the band and the drill team. She is active in band, chorus, girls glee club, cheerleading, student council, annual staff and school newspaper. She is a soloist and pianist. She is a candidate for Graduation Sweetheart on KQTV in Fort Dodge. Miss Olson is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Olson, Bode. Her father is a corn shelling and truck machine operator.		KAY LINDAMEN Miss Aplington Kay Lindamen will be Aplington's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She is editor of the school annual, secretary of the student council, treasurer of the band and member of the National Honorary Society. She accompanies the mixed chorus, boys' glee club, small groups and soloists. She sings in the girls' glee club and is first clarinet in the band. A senior, she was chosen by the band. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Lindamen, Aplington. Her father owns and operates Aplington Produce.
JANICE ERDAHL Miss Rake Janice Erdahl will be Rake's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by the school band. She is a member of the percussion section in the Rake concert band. She sings in various vocal ensembles and as a soloist. She was a Division I winner in the state music contest. She received the Homemakers Award, was active on the school paper and annual staff[s]. She was [a] cheerleader and appeared in two class plays, held class offices and served on the student council. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Erdahl, who farm near Rake.		JACQUELIN CHURCHILL Miss Spring Valley Jacquelin Churchill will be Miss Spring Valley, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by the Spring Valley JCs as a Miss American candidate. She is active in the band, is a majorette, a member of the National Honor Society, editor of the school paper, cheerleader and in the senior class play. Miss Churchill is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. L. Churchill, Spring Valley, Minn. Her father is a banker.		CYNTHIA SUE JORGENSEN Miss Dows Cynthia Sue Jorgensen will be Miss Dows, candidate for Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. President of the Dows band, she has been a member six years, in small groups four years, plays French horn and was chosen by the band for queen. She sings in the girls chorus and mixed chorus, is on the annual and newspaper staffs and is a member of the F. H. A. She was in the junior and senior class plays. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Jorgensen, who farm.		KAREN PEDERSEN Miss Buffalo Center Karen Pedersen will be Miss Buffalo Center, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by the school band. She is a twirler in the band, a member of the newspaper staff and annual staff, member of the pep squad, G. R. A. and Future Secretaries Club. She has appears in plays. Miss Pedersen is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Pedersen, who farms near Buffalo Center.		MARY JO BURKE Miss Fredericksburg Mary Jo Burke will be Miss Fredricksburg, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by the band. She is class treasurer, band and glee club president, is in the mixed chorus and flute quartet and is an accompanist. She is a cheerleader, 1961 Homecoming Queen, and is a member of the annual staff. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Milo Burke, who farms near Fredericksburg. Her father also teaches.
LINDA WEBER Miss Swea City Linda Weber is the candidate from Swea City for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She is active in the band as drum major and plays tenor saxophone. She is in the saxophone quintet, girls glee club, mixed chorus, sextette, madrigal and mixed duet, is accompanist and cheerleader. She was in the state speech and music contests, class plays and on the paper and annual staffs. A senior, she was elected by the band. She is a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. R. E. Weber. Her father is a veterinarian.		MARCIA SWEENEY Miss Cylinder Marcia Sweeney will be Miss Cylinder, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by members of the Cylinder band. She is a member of the band, basketball team and softball team of which she also was co-captain. She is on the annual and newspaper staffs and is active in speech work. Miss Sweeney is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Sweeney of Cylinder. Her father manages a grocery store.		SUSAN MONTGOMERY Miss Sentral Susan Montgomery will be Sentral Community School's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She has been first chair flute in the band five years, a member of the Northwest Iowa Bandmasters Festival Band three years, Division I rating in flute trio and woodwind groups and first flutist in the State Line Conference Band Festival. She is active in mixed chorus, girls glee club and soloist. She is editor of the school annual, a member of the school paper staff and varsity cheerleader. She participated in class plays, was a member of the student council, class officer and president of the F. T. A. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Lee of Lone Rock. Her father, Harry R. Montgomery, was killed in action in World War II>		NANCY ANN GROSS Miss Thornton Nancy Ann Gross will be Thornton's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She was chosen by the band. She is active in the band, mixed chorus, glee club, sextet, quartet, trio, solo and speech work. She is senior class secretary, secretary of the student council, member of the newspaper staff, and annual staff and ranks third in her class scholastically. She plays softball and basketball and was voted one of the Queens of the Iowa Court. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Buford Gross, who farm near Thornton.		HELEN KVAM Miss Glenville Helen Kvam is the candidate from Glenville, Minn., for the title of Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A junior, she was elected by members of the Glenville band. She is a writer on the school paper and is head majorette of the marching band. She is also president of the band and plays first chair French horn. During the past season, she won "A" at the district level and "A" at the state level, playing French horn solo. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Kvam, who farm near Northwood.
MARY WEISMAN Miss Lyle Mary Weisman is the candidate from Lyle, Minn., for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by the band. She is active in band, pep band, chorus, speech, class plays, newspaper staff and is co-editor of the 1961 She was homecoming attendant and attended Girls State. She was chosen Homemaker of Tomorrow. She is a member of the National Honor Society and salutatorian of her class. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Weisman. Her father is principal of the Lyle High School.		NANCY WEBERG Miss Wells Nancy Weberg is the candidate from Wells, Minn., for the title of Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She plays cornet in the Wells band and participates in brass ensemble groups, including trumpet quartet. She also sings in the chorus and the girls; quartet. She is a member of the Chemistry Club and Girls Athletic Association. A senior, she was elected by the high school band. She is a daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Charles Quinn. Her father is employed by the city of Wells, her mother is a beautician.		JANICE HANSEN Miss Franklin Janice Hansen is a candidate from Franklin Consolidate School, consisting of Latimer and Coulter, for the title Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She was elected by the band members. She is a four-year drum major, senior class secretary, piano accompanist and solo clarinetist. She is on the annual and newspaper staffs and is active in both band and vocal small groups She was the junior-senior prom queen. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Hansen, Coulter. Her mother is postmaster of Coulter.		LYNN FARMER Miss New Hampton Lynn Farmer will be Miss New Hampton, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13, A junior, she was chosen by the New Hampton school band. Her hobbies are horseback riding, camping, winter sports and skiing. She plans to become a teacher or [a] medical therapist. Miss Farmer is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Crouse of New Hampton. Her father is a school teacher.		ELAINE DOUGLAS Miss Osage Elaine Douglas is the candidate from Osage for the title of Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by the high school band. She is a member of future teachers. She has been drum major of the marching band and plays bass clarinet in the concert band. She has been in 4-H work five years. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Douglas, who farm near Orchard.
JUDY FRENCH Miss Renwick Judy French will be Miss Renwick, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was chosen by members of the band for Miss Renwick. She plays in the concert band, and pep band, sings in the mixed chorus and girls glee club, and is a member of the FHA. She also is active in jouralism. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank French, who farm near Renwick.		BEVERLY SKOGEN Miss Frost Beverly Skogen is the candidate from Frost, Minn., for the title Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by the band members. She participates in the band and chorus and is on the annual staff and is a cheerleader. She is an honor student. Her interests are swimming, horseback riding, hiking and sewing. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Skogen, who farm near Frost.		BARBARA SHELLMYER Miss West Bend Barbara Shellmyer will be Miss West Bend, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was elected by the West Bend band. She is active in the band, mixed chorus, girls glee club and as accompanist. She is on the annual staff. She is also church organist and pianist and was a former Methodist Youth Fellowship officer. Miss Shellmyer is a daughter of Keith Shellmyer, truck driver and salesman of West Bend.		AUDREY GARDNER Miss Burt Audrey Gardner will be Miss Burt, candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. She plays first saxophone in the band, sings in the mixed chorus and girls glee club and is soloist on the saxophone in contests. She was in both the junior and senior class plays, is a member of the newspaper staff and the Future Teachers of America. She plays basketball and softball and is class reporter. A junior, she was chosen by the band. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Gardner, Algona. Her father is a farm service plant manager.		JUDY BORING Miss Eagle Grove Judy Boring will be Eagle Grove's candidate for Miss North Iowa at the Band Festival June 13. She is a member of the National Honor Society, student council, editor of the school year book and newspaper reporter. She is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Girls Recreation Association, pep club secretary, member of the choir, girls glee club and senior girls sextet. She is a marching band twirler, concert band first chair alto saxophone, member of the pep band and dance band and various instrumental small groups. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Boring, Eagle Grove. Her father is a contractor.
		PATRICIA YOUNGWIRTH Miss Garrigan Patricia Youngwirth will be Miss Garrigan of Garrigan High School, Algona, which represents five towns. Chosen by the band, this senior will be a candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. She has been active in the band six years and plays the drums. She was a twirler one year. She sings in the girls chorus and mixed chorus. She played basketball two years and softball one year. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Luke Youngwirth, who farm near Wesley.		LA DONNA HERBER Miss Rapidan La Donna Herber will be Miss Rapidan, Minn., candidate for the title of Miss North Iowa at the 23rd North Iowa Band Festival June 13. A senior, she was selected by the Rapidan Sportman's Club, which sponsors her. She is active in the choir and madrigals and is a majorette with the band. Miss Herber is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Herber, who live on Route 2, Good Thunder, Minn. Her father is employed by Ramy Seed Company in Mankato, Minn.

Transcriber's Note: Biographies for the queens from the following high schools were not available:
Brancroft-St. Johns, Boone Valley, Blairsburg, Colwell, restwood, East Chain, Greene, Hampton, Kanawha, Kiester, Ladyard, Northwood-Kensett, Plainfield, and Whittemore.

 

 

To view enlargement of the Band Festival article below,
click on the thumbnail image then the magnifying glass icon on the webpage that comes up;
to return to this webpage, click on your brower's 'back' button.

QUEENS ARE BACK - Nine of the 33 candidates for Miss North Iowa of 1946 were guests of the women's division of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon on Band Festival Day. Here are the queens of 1946 with their husbands and families (left to right): Miss Rock Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Halverson, St. Ansgar, Jeffrey, 6, and Bryan 3 (in his father's arms); Miss Nora Springs, Mrs. Howard Marshall, Michael 11, and Debra, 9; Miss Plymouth, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harmon, Kim, 4, and Brad, 19 months; Miss Manly, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Dickenson; Miss Fertile, Mr. and Mrs. Virgel Lovik and Mary, 9; Miss Ventura, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kotz and Eddie, 12, of Clear Lake; Miss Hanlontown, Mr. and Mrs. Buford Rogness, Tommy, 12, and Douglas, 9, of Austin, Minn.; Miss Greene and Miss North Iowa 1946, Mr. and Mrs. Arvid Lindell; and Miss Garner, Mrs. Robert McCormich.

Page 23

"Naturalness" won for Elaine
By Jim Collison, GLOBE-GAZETTE

Elaine Douglas had a dream.

Tuesday night Elaine's dream came true.

Karl Johannsen, president of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce, placed the Miss North Iowa crown on Elaine's attractive dark hair and Bob Douglas, chairman of the North Iowa Band Festival committee, tied the queen's cape around Elaine's shoulders.

THE OCCASION was the announcement of Miss North Iowa for 1961 during the final program in the annual festival at Roosevelt Stadium.

Elaine's first words were, "I can't believe it; I just can't," when master of ceremonies Ken Kew announced the judges had named Elaine Douglas - Miss Osage - as the 1961 queen.

Elaine's first royal duty probably will be presiding at the Iowa Junior Girls' Golf Tournament next week at Osage.

ELAINE IS 17, was graduated this year from Osage High School, and plans to attend Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She wants to major in home economics and prepare for a teaching career.

Elaine's hair is dark, her eyes are dark, her smile is as charming as that of the most mature queen chosen in any contest.

The queen's voice is soft and each attractive feature displays a natural grace.

This personality, her naturalness, is why she was chosen to reign over the North Iowa band festival in 1962 when the stars of the "Music Man" motion picture come to Mason City.

W. L. NICHOLS, who was band festival chairman for many years, said Tuesday night that all of the queen candidates "are beautiful; they have to be beautiful to get this far."

One of the judges expressed a similar attitude. "We had a hard time. You can't judge it alone on beauty. It was Elaine's ersonality that weighed most in my mind."

Elaine's personality was described as "natural."

One woman who watched the 80 queen candidates during the day noted that Elaine "has been nice to all the girls that she has been with. She hasn't favored any one girl."

HOW DID ELAINE describe her reaction when she heard the announcement that she was the new queen?

"I think this is something every girl dreams about," she said. "It is kind of a dream that you dream. Then if you are lucky it comes true."

The Dale Douglas family lives on a farm 4 miles east and 6 1/2 miles south of Osage.

ELAINE ATTENDED GRADE SCHOOL at Orchard and high school in Osage. She has one brother and one sister, twins 15 years old.

Mr. Douglas has encouraged her daughter to help around the home and to cook. Elaine feels this encouragement is the biggest reason she decided to prepare for a home economics teaching future.

"I like Italian foods and I like to experiment in the kitchen and try salad dressings." She admitted some of her experiments fail and that some of the dressings taste bitter.

ELAINE IN HIGH SCHOOL played the bass clarinet in the concert band and was a drum majorette with the school's marching band. She likes to read, cook and swim. She is active in the First Congregational Church youth work and sings in the church choir.

Elaine's day in Mason City was "so enjoyable," she said.

"I couldn't think of a nicer way to spend a day. I would come back for more just like it if I could."

BANDMASTERS LUNCHEON - At the bandmasters luncheon at the Hotel Hanford are (left to right) Mayor George E. Mendon, Mrs. Paul Yoder, Paul Yoder, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., conductor of the massed bands, Carleton L. Stewart, master of ceremonies, Earl Hall, editor of the Globe Gazette, Mrs. Carleton Stewart and Ralph Shelton, manager of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. and Mrs. Rod Skillman do not show in the picture. He is assistant manager of the Chamber of Commerce in charge of the festival.

Yoder, Quinn brighten the day

Paul Yoder and his wife, Rosie, rolled back the clouds that had been threatening Band Festival Day and lit up the sun in teh best of Florida or California Chamber of Commercer tradition.

In fact, he was burning both ends of the candle from Florida and California when he spoke at the bandmasters' luncheon at noon at the Hotel Hanford and outdid everyone, including the Mason City Chamber of Commerce.

YODER CONVULSED the bandmasters and their wives with his rapid fire wit and stories, despite heckling of his wife about his Jack Benny tendencies, financial-wise.

Yoder assured the group of fine weather for the day, since he called his Chamber of Commerce and found that it was a "beautiful day in Florida, with the temperature at 82, humidity at 75, and a breeze off the gulf at 175 miles an hour."

Yoder ran the amount of Florida stories from the big wind that hit the tuba player and screwed him six feet into the ground to the one about the bikini bathing suit that consisted of a union label and a zipper.

"BANDMEN, I CONGRATULATE YOU, however on your chosen profession," said Yoder. "There are no lazy bandmasters. Your greatest asset is your capacity for enthusiasm. Stay young and be ready for your next effort.

"For the past few years the accent has been on science rather than music. I have a friend who has many degrees in science. His is now employed by the government and all he has to do is count backwards.

"You many wonder why there has been no loss of interest in your band festivals. Every four years there is a complete turnover of personnel. There are new students every year to whom this is a wonderful event, and they are looking forward to coming back."

Yoder congratulated the Mason City Chamber of Commerce, the committees, Mr. and Mrs. John Vance, who were among the founders of the event, and all of the [ersonnell connected with the festival.

IN A TALK almost as brief as Yoder's bikini story and every bit as electrifying was the announcement by Robert Quinn of the public relations department of Warner Bros., assigned to make plans for the "Music Man's" part in next year's festival.

"From the day Willson came to Warner Bros. Studios for the production of 'The Music Man,' he has been telling us that Mason City is the logical place for the press premiere of 'The Music Man.'

"One fool-hardy listener asked Willson 'Why?' An hour and a half later we heard why!

"On June 19, next year, we are coming to Mason City with Meredith Willon's "Music Man' to tie in with the biggest band festival of all time.

"Not only will you have bands from North Iowa and Southern Minnesota, but there will be a featured band from every state in the Union, including Alaska and Hawaii.

"WILLSON HAS THE FONDEST MEMORIES of 1958 when you paid him such a wonderful tribute. He plans to come back to lead a band of 76 trombones and 110 cornets. To make the dream complete, we will have as many as we can round up of the cast of 'The Music Man.'

"Newspaper, radio, national magazine writers, all will be brought here to tell the world of this national even. All eyes will be on Mason City June 19, 1962."

Editor Earl Hall, who introuced Quinn, said, "I'm as tickled as a kid with a new toy. Tomorrow night I will be with Meredith and Rini Willson and then spend two days on the lot where Warner Bros. Studios is making 'The Music Man.'

"I WILL HAVE A CHANCE to walk in River City, which was Mason City in 1912, and will probably loiter near a sign on a store front which reads, 'W. Earl Hall, land agent.'"

Carleton and Gladys Stewart were hosts at the luncheon and Stewart acted as master of ceremonies. Committee members and bandmasters were introduced, as weel as W. L. Nichols, dean of the festival, visiting music dealers and Robert and Mrs. Forney in charge of the Glenwood Marching Band. Mr. and Mrs. Floyd James, formerly of Glenwood, were hosts to the Glenwood personnel.

Karl Johannsen, president of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce, and Mayor George Mendon added their congratulations to the festival committees.

 

Photographs courtesy of The Globe Gazette

Submission by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2018