Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
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The 24th North Iowa Band Festival
and Music Man Marching Band Competition

Tuesday, June 19, 1962
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
April 16, 1962, Page 19

Mason City Opening Doors for "Music Man" Visitors

  Mason City is responding with open doors for the 30 out-of-state bands coming to the "Music Man" Marching Band Competition Festival in June, according to R. H. Isensee, chairman of housing for the visitors.

Five of these bands already have housing arrangements completed in various communities. The latest is the Madison, S.D., band of 60 members and 8 chaperons, who will be located in the Virginia Avenue-East State area.

The neighborhood is planning a picnic dinner Monday evening, June 18, in the yard of Mr. and Mrs. George Ludeman, 23 Virginia SE. The band is expected to arrive in Mason City sometime that afternoon. The survey for this band already has been completed by Mrs. Ludeman and Mrs. Niels Petersen, 697 1st SE, co-chairman for their group.

Response to the recent coupons appearing in The Mason City Globe-Gazette has been very good, according to Isensee. The housing committee now has the remaining 25 bands pin-pointed as to various areas in Mason City.

Throughout Thursday, Mrs. R. H. Isensee, Mrs. Walter Hanson and Mrs. Boyd Hook, co-chairmen on the main housing committee, will meet at the United Home Bank with key personnel of the various neighborhood committees to make final arrangements for the survey.

The house-to-house survey will start May 3, two weeks from Thursday, at which time it is expected to complete arrangements for all of the visiting out-of-state bands.

 

 

Meredith and Rini Willson perform "Till There Was You," a hit song
from "The Music Man" for Life Magazine's camerman.

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
April 19, 1962, Page 10

John Adams Junior High Band

 

  

Mason City gets press premiere

"The Music Man," Meredith Willson's resplendent Broadway hit, is coming to Mason City June 19 for the press premiere of the screen production by Warner Bros. happiest musical of all time.

Robert Preston heads the cast in the title role of the combination conman and pied piper, who brings a new kind of sophistication to innocent Iowa and a new kind of glow into the prim eyes of Shirley Jones, the town librarian.

Preston re-creates the role he performed on Broadway to the ever-lasting delight of every-lasting delight of every body, and Miss Jones contributes her silvery voice and wonderful femininity to the year's most inspired co-starring union.

Also joyously present in the Technicolor Technirama frolic are three of the funniest people in show business, moon-faced Buddy Hackett, playing Preston's humptious sidekick; Hermoine Gingold, as the hatchet-faced wife of a small-town mayor; and Paul Ford, as the fumble-tongued mayor himself. Other important roles are played by little Ronny Howard, a favorite on the Andy Griffith television show, Timmy Everett and Susan Luckey, nimble-limbed dancers and young romancers and the popular singing quartet known as the Buffalo Bills.

Morton DaCosta, who staged "The Music Man" on Broadway, produced and directed the motion picture, his first since the fabulous "Auntie Mame" hit. Marion Hargrove of "See Here, Private Hargove," wrote the screenplay.

More than 100 movie editors are to gather in Chicago June 18. They will be flown to Mason City in chartered airliners, together with the stars of the picture, for the press premiere at the Palace Theater.

National marching band contest scheduled at 24th Band Festival

The 24th North Iowa Band Festival and Music Man Marching Band Competition June 19 in Mason City will be a tribute to Meredith Willson's $5 million movie by Warner Bros. and the happiest youngsters in the world, the high school musicians of the United States.

Thirty competing bands from as many states outside of Iowa and Minnesota will strut their finest in the huge three-hour parade down Federal Avenue and will compete for $15,000 in prizes offered by the Richards Music Corp., and a 10-day all-expense paid trip by Warner Bros. ending in New York City.

Iowa and Minnesota bands, not in the national competition, will be here with their colors flying - 83 bands with 83 queens competing for the title of Miss North Iowa.

Festivities will start June 18 when visiting dignitaries, stars of "The Music Man" movie, press and radio and TV personnel arrive at the Mason City Municipal Airport at various times during the day. Meredith and Rini Willson will be with them, Morton DaCosta, Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Arthur Godfrey, Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold, Paul Ford, Ronnie Howard and many others.

Bands from out-of-state also will be arriving Monday at various times. From 5 to 7 p. m. there will be dinner for the bands at Roosevelt and John Adams Schools, St. Joseph's Church and the YWCA. Dinner for the visiting bands will be at 6:30 p. m. at the Hanford Motor Lodge.

The River City Barbershop Chorus dinner at Moose Hall at 6 p. m. will have the Buffalo Bills and Arthur Godfrey as their special guests.

From 7 p. m. on, June 18, it will be open house in Mason City for visiting band people, with recreation for band members at the YMCA, WYCA and high school gym. Games, dancing and swimming all are free.

Throughout Monday evening there will be half hour concerts in Central Park by Mason City school bands. From 7:30 p. m. to 9 p. m. there will be a reception for the out-of-state bandmasters and wives and adult personnel accompanying the bands.

 

  Major festivities get under way Tuesday at 9 a. m. with the grand parade of bands, queens, floats and personalities. It will be covered by radio and TV broadcasts. Entering Federal Avenue at the Hotel Hanford, it will continue down Federal 1.7 miles to the Shopping Center for dismissal.

A huge picnic is planned for East Park for visiting dignitaries, including Iowa and Minnesota bandmasters and others. An informal program will consist of the Rusty Hinges, Barbershop Chorus, Buffalo Bills and others, with the guest director Paul Yoder, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as master of ceremonies

From 1 p. m. to 6 p. m. competition bands will give eight minute marching demonstrations at Roosevelt Field. They will be judged on their performances and their parade marching ability during the morning as well.

During the afternoon there also will be concerts in Central Park, the presentation of the queens, recreation and entertainment.

The general program will start at Roosevelt Field at 6 p. m. with the grand entry of bands and queens. The evening show will consist of the crowning of Miss North Iowa, announcement of the national champion marching band, presentation of awards, a demonstration by the championship band and a massed band number that should set a record.

Ken Kew of KGLO will be master of ceremonies for the evening show. Composer-conductor Yoder will direct the massed bands.

Following the night show, the press preview of Warner Bros. "The Music Man," with Arthur Godfrey as master of ceremonies, will be at the Palace Theater. Contest bands will be entertained by Meredith and Rini Willson and "Red" Blanchard at Roosevelt Fieldhouse.

The Mason City Globe-Gazette's souvenir edition of the 24th North Iowa Band Festival and Music Man Marching Band Competition will appear just two weeks after this issue.

 

 

An editorial:

PRESS Premiere - not for public

[Page 6] There has been an admirable understanding on the part of Mason Cityans that the showing of "The Music Man" at the Palace Theater on the night of the June 19 is a PRESS PREMIERE, not a PUBLIC Premiere.

With newspaper, television and radio critics descending on our community in large numbers and an obligation to be as considerate as possible to the key people in our visiting bands - especially those who have come from long distances - the 700 seats in the theater have been much too few.

Confronted with this situation, we have drawn from Warner Brothers and the Central States Theater management a promise to make Mason City the first place in Iowa to offer the picture to the public. This should be about two weeks after the press premiere.

If you're disappointed about not seeing the film June 19, you may find consolation in the fact that the general chairman can't get a seat either! -W.E.H.

 

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Friday, June 15, 1962, Page 1

1962 Music Man Band Festival
and Press Premiere of the Motion Picture Film
"The Music Man"

Tuesday, June 19, 1962, Mason City, Iowa (Pre-Festival Special Edition)

Art work in edition done by students of Warren Ruby

A considerable amount of art work in this edition of the Globe-Gazette was done by the students of Warren Ruby at Mason City High School.

A full-page drawing of the band queen is by Abbie DeBuhr and the section page of Meredith Willson, by Jeanette Molter. Miss Molter was the grand prize winner in the contest sponsored by the Globe-Gazette.

Billie Renee Gorman also provided a full-page drawing which won a prize. Other prize winners were Janice Bain, Patty Crawford, Jolene Harmon, Amy Hays, Roseanne Heston, Penny Hanig, Sheila King, Frances Kramer, Pat Larsen, Jannie Logan, Judy Mentink, George Papouchis, David Stroeh, Gordon Vaigert, Barry Wilson and Steve Barron.

Sections II & III "North Iowa Band Festival"
To view an enlargement of each page of the Pre-Festival Special Edition Section,
click on image or caption below then on the magnifying glass icon;
to return to this webpage, click on your browser's 'back' button.

     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 

 

 


MARY KNUDSEN
Miss Blue Earth

Mary Knudsen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Knudsen, Blue Earth, Minn. A senior, high school band, orchestra, mixed chorus, glee club and debate. Chosen by band for the 24th North Iowa Band Festival. Her father owns a Super Valu grocery store.
 

KATHY PETERSON
Miss Lakota

Kathy Peterson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Peterson, Lakota. A senior, baton twirler in band, mixed chorus, girls glee club, drama, annual staff and secretary for band. Her father has the bulk gas tank truck and Midland Products of Lakota.
 
 

RITA YOST
Miss Alden, Minn.

Rita Yost, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Yost, Route 1, Alden, Minn. A junior, cheerleader, athletics, water skiing. Selected for the North Iowa Band Festival by the Alden High School Band. Hobby is knitting. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

KAREN DOANE
Miss Thornton

Karen Doane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Doane, Thornton. A senior, class president, band glee club, mixed chorus, speech, honor roll, editor of paper and annual. The band selected her for the festival. Her father is a farmer.
 
 
 

ANN VOGEL
Miss Bancroft

Ann Vogel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Vogel, Bancroft. A senior, Student Council secretary, high school band first clarinet, girls chorus accompanist, piano solo, church organist. Her father is a grocer.
 
 

LINDA HANSEN
Miss Hampton

Linda Hansen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hansen, Hampton. A senior Honor Society, Student Council secretary, cheerleader, band, trombone quartet, vocal groups, drama and Hampton Municipal Band. Her father owns Hampton Distributing Co.
 

JOANN NORDMAN
Miss Meservey

JoAnn Nordman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Nordman, Meservey. A senior, a capella choir, drum majorette in band, cheerleader, clarinet trio, vocal trio and sextet, class play and yearbook. Her father is railroad agent at Meservey.
 
 

SANDRA SMITH
Miss Rockford

Sandra Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. LaVerne Smith, Marble Rock. A senior, Student Council, National Honor Society, high school band, clarinet and tenor saxophone, mixed chorus and dance band. Her father is a machinist and welder.
 
 

RUTHANNE GORDON
Miss Carpenter

Ruthanne Gordon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Gordon, Carpenter. A senior, class officer, concert and marching band, girls glee club accompanist, mixed chorus, solo French horn, piano, voice, cheerleader, annual staff. Her father is a carpenter.
 
 

CHRISTINE AHRENS
Miss Osage

Christine Abrens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Ahrens, Osage. A senior, National Honor Society, Hy-Times staff, Student Council, band, Thespians, All-State Band. To attend Eastman Conservatory of Music. Her father is an Osage businessman.
 

VICKI ROSS
Miss Britt

Vicki Ross, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Ross, Britt. A senior, first chair French horn, brass sextet, vocalist with swing band, twirler, cheerleader, mixed chorus, girls glee club, trio, school paper and annual. Her father manages seed store.
 
 

DARLEEN MINO
Miss Swea City

Darleen Mino, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Mino, Swea City. A senior, Student Council, band, chorus, girls glee club, girls sextet, brass quartet, paper and annual staffs. Band's selection for festival. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

ELAINE SWANSON
Miss Ayrshire

Elaine Swanson, daughter of Albert Swanson, Ayrshire. A senior, she plays first clarinet in the band, clarinet quartet and trio, vocal solo, trio and sextet, honor student cheer leader, pep band and speech work. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

CAROL DIANE HAIGHT
Miss Crestwood

Carol Diane Haight, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Paul Haight, Cresco. A senior, she was elected by the band for the festival. In both instrumental and vocal music, speech, drama, Thespians, Spanish Club, G.R.A., and Student Council. Her father is a veterinarian.
 
 

RAMONA BUZZETTI
Miss Alden, Iowa

Ramona Buzzetti, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. R. J. Buzzetti, Alden, Iowa. A senior, she is drum major for the band, member of the girls glee club and mixed chorus, sextet and quartet, cheerleader, paper and annual staff. Her father is a veterinarian.
 

MARY ELLEN BRUCKHOFF
Miss Kiester

Mary Ellen Bruckhoff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Bruckhoff, Kiester, Minn. A senior, plays baritone horn in the concert and marching bands. She is a soprano in the choir and mixed ensemble, G.A.A. member, yearbook and school paper. Her father farms.
 
 

BARBARA ANN THOMPSON
Miss Rapidan

Barbara Ann Thompson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Thompson, Rapidan, Minn. A junior, she was chosen by the Sportsmen's Club. Winner of top musician school award, in band purcussion section, co-editor of school paper. Her father is a plumber.
 
 
 

BARBARA KUDEJ
Miss Kanawha

Barbara Kudej, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kudej, Kanawha. A senior, she is drum majorette, cheerleader, in mixed chorus, girls' glee club, class play, co-editor of annual, and queen of Algona Band Festival in 1961. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

MARCIA HELGESON
Miss Bricelyn

Marcia Helgeson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Helgeson, Bricelyn, Minn. A senior, baton twirler, plays clarinet in the band, editor of the yearbook, member of G.A.A. and F.H.A. Chosen queen candidate by members of the Bricelyn High School Band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

MARY ANN HOLT
Miss Twin Rivers

Mary Ann Holt, daughter of Merle Holt, Ottosen. A senior, member of the band, basketball and softball teams, mixed chorus, girls glee club, F.T.A., golf, G.A.A., active in speech work and member of the Homecoming court. Choice of band. Her father is an insurance salesman.
 

VIVIAN POMMER
Miss Titonka

Vivian Pommer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pommer, Wesley. A junior, secretary of the band, first flute in concert and pep band, snare drum in marching band, flute trio, girls' glee club, mixed chorus, accompanist for chorus and small ensembles, student council. Her father is a farmer.
 

KARRIE BONNER
Miss Rockwell - Swaledale

Karrie Bonner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Bonner, Swaledale. A senior, president of the band, also saxophone, concert and marching bands, pep band, stage band, mixed chorus, girls' glee club, student council, softball, basketball. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

BARBARA BRANDOW
Miss Algona

Barbara Brandow, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Brandow, Route 1, Algona. A senior, member of band, cadette drill team. girls chorus, mixed chorus, symphonettes, modern choir, F.H.A., G.R.A., annual staff, class plays, school newspaper, all-state vocal quartet. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

JUDY KRAFT
Miss Spring Valley

Judy Kraft, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kraft, Route 1, Spring Valley, Minn. A senior, class plays, chorus, glee club, dancing, speech work, sewing. Choice of band and school. Her father is a farmer and livestock dealer.
 
 
 
 

MARCIA HATTEL
Miss Belmond

Marcia Hattel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hattel, Belmond. A senior, plays alto saxophone in the marching, concert and pep bands, active in F.H.A. and G.R.A., feature editor of school paper, in junior class play and one acts. Her father is owner of Hattels' Super Valu Store.
 

NANCY WHYTE
Miss Goldfield

Nancy Whyte, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Conger Whyte, Goldfield. A senior, twirler in marching band, basketball, chorus, glee club, softball, president of the junoir class, president of M.Y. F., soloist with chorus, small vocal groups, speech. Her father operates Whyte's Transportation Service.
 

KATY HUNCHIS
Miss North Central

Katy Hunchis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hunchis, Plymouth. A senior, plays first cornet in the band, lead cornet in dance band, vocal music, superior rating in vocal solos and cornet, chorus, small groups, cheerleader. Choice of band. Her father is a cattle dealer.
 
 

RAEANN BRINK
Miss LuVerne

Raeann Brink, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allyn Brink, LuVerne. A junior, band majorette, concert band, girls sextet, girls glee club, forward on girls basketball team, softball team, president of junior class, student council and class play. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

LORETTA SCHELL
Miss Nora Springs

Loretta Schell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Schell, Nora Springs. A senior, member of band, mixed chorus, cheerleader, class play, feature editor of annual, president of Future Nurses Association, Girls State '61. Her father is a co-owner of the Hoffler Seed Company.
 
 
 

BEVERLY AKERS
Miss Dows

Beverly Akers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Akers, Dows. A senior, member of marching, concert and pep bands, mixed chorus, girls chorus, and vocal soloist, F.H.A., F.T.A., basketball, newspaper, annual, student council. Her father is an auto parts manager.
 
 

JUDI SWANSON
Miss Klemme

Judi Swanson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Swanson, Klemme. A senior, first chair clarinetist in band, soloist four years, girls' glee club, mixed chorus, girls sextet and trio and ensembles, cheerleader. Choice of school band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

PAULA GAARDE
Miss Armstrong

Paula Gaarde, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Gaarde, Armstrong. A senior, member of band, majorette, vocal sextet, mixed chorus, glee club, student council, yearbook, instrumental ensemble, honor roll and basketball. Choice of band. Her father has an insurance agency.
 
 

JANIE SCHNURR
Miss New Hampton

Janie Schnurr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Schnurr, New Hampton. A junior, b-flat clarinet in marching banc, second chair bass in concert band, Teenage Driver's Club, Pep Club, G.R.A., cheerleader, Future Teachers. Her father is a salesman for the Keiper Candy Company of Waterloo.
 

LONNA HOEL
Miss Lake Mills

Lonna Hoel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Hoel, Lake Mills. A senior, first chair baritone, member of brass sextet and vice president of band. Secretary of chorus, soprano, madrigal, trio and quartet, cheerleader, student council secretary, newspaper staff and F.T.A.
 
 
 

MARY LOU HALVERSON
Miss Rake

Mary Lou Halverson, daughter of Ervin Halverson, Rake. A senior, active in music, both vocal and instrumental, ice skating, writing, and interested in skiing. Elected by band members. Her father is a well drilling contractor.
 
 
 

MARY KEEPERS
Miss Cylinder

Mary Keepers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Keepers, Cylinder. A senior, she is active in the band, concert, marching, pep band and clarinet groups. She is treasurer of the band and senior class. She has the lead in the class play and is winner of Future Homemakers award. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

JOY PEDERSEN
Miss Franklin

Joy Pedersen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Pederson, Latimer. A senior, she plays alto clarinet in the band, tenor drum in the marching band, is a varsity cheerleader, class officer for three years, girls mixed chorus, accompanist for small groups annual and newspaper staffs and in senior class play. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

LINDA ANDERSON
Miss Charles City

Linda Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Anderson, Charles City. A senior, she is in the band, orchestra, dance band, vice president of the band, a twirler, All-State orchestra, pianist, flutist, organist, National Honor Society, Math Club, Queen of '62 Melody Ball, and 9th in class of 174. Her father operated a service station.
 

MARY DYNES
Miss Riceville

Mary Dynes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Dynes, Riceville. A senior, she is a member of the band, girls glee club, mixed chorus, journalism, speech, F.H.A., basketball team and C.Y.O. She is the choice of the band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 
 
 

NORMA COYLE
Miss Canton

Norma Coyle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Coyle, Route 2, Harmony, Minn. A senior, she is a member of the band, glee club and F.H.A. She is on the staff of both the annual and newspaper and has a role in the senior class play. The choice of the band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

DIANE BACON
Miss Ventura

Diane Bacon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vern Bacon, Clear Lake. A senior, she is a member of the band, mixed chorus, girls' glee club, contestant in the All State Music Festival 3 years, solos and ensembles, State Division I in solos two years. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

NANCY BAUM
Miss Clear Lake

Nancy Baum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Baum, Clear Lake. A senior, she is a soloist in the concert band, drum majorette in the marching band, cheerleader, cabinet member of Hi-Tri, Pep Club, and she sings alto in the choir, Spanish Club, girls glee club, and music editor of the annual. Her father is in the furniture business.
 

BARBARA ROE
Miss Garner-Hayfield

Barbara Roe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Roe, Garner. A senior, member of the band, cheerleader, editor of school paper, student council, pep club, assistant majorette, secretary-treasurer of vocal department, and member of M.Y.F. choir. Her father operates Roe's Super Valu in Garner.
 

SUZANNE SCHULTE
Miss Alexander

Suzanne Schulte, daughter of John Schulte, Alexander. A senior, three years of firsts in state contest in both clarinet and vocal, basketball, vocal groups, soloist, co-editor of the school annual and member of the student council. Elected by the Alexander band. Her father is a salesman.
 
 

KAY BRANDT
Miss Allison

Kay Brandt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. W. Brandt, Allison. A senior, she is a member of the band, vocal groups, drama club, girls basketball team, tennis, Pep Club president and annual staff. She was chosen by the Allison band. Her father is a grain dealer.
 
 

AUDREY WADD
Miss Janesville

Audrey Wadd, daughter of Mrs. C. T. Wadd, Janesville, Minn. A senior, she is active in the band, chorus, Shakespearean Club, Latin Club, annual staff and a cheerleader. She was chosen Homecoming Queen of the 1961 year. She is a member of the Honor Society. She was chosen by the Janesville, Minn., band.
 
 
 

BONNIE GEITZENAUER
Miss Sentral

Bonnie Geitzenauer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Geitzenauer, Fenton. A senior, she is a baton twirler, in the mixed chorus, girls glee club, double mixed quartet, girls track team, feature writer on school newspaper and member of senior class play cast. Her father is assistant manager of the Fenton Co-op Elevator.
 
 
 

DIANA ADAMS
Miss Thompson

Diana Adams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Adams, Thompson. A senior, member of marching band, concert band, pep band, and football show band, and solo work on bass clarinet. Mixed chorus, girls glee club, Latin Class president, librarian, junior and senior class plays, girls basketball manager, annual staff, pep club. Her father is employed on road maintenance.
 

CATHY BLEICH
Miss Forest City

Cathy Bleich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Bleich, Forest City. A senior, she is a member of the band, chorus, F.T.A., girls drill team, annual staff, pep committee, speech contest work, one act play and operetta. Her father is employed by Laminated Pins Company, Forest City.
 
 
 
 

CAROL BONNSTETTER
Miss West Bend

Carol Bonnstetter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Schuller, West Bend. A junior, member of the band, plays cornet, forward on the basketball team, girls glee club, mixed chorus, girls' sextet and double mixed quartet, soprano soloist. Choice of the band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 
 
 

MARY WAHL
Miss St. Ansgar

Mary Wahl, daughter of Walter Wahl, Grafton. A senior, she is an honor student, member of the Pep Club, Thespians and band. She plays baritone saxophone in the concert band. She is interested in sports and speech activities. She was elected by the band members. Her father is a cafe owner.
 
 
 
 
 

NANCY SCHMELING
Miss Whittemore

Nancy Schmeling, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Schmeling, Whittemore. A junior, she is a drummer in the band, chorus, basketball, lead in the junior play "Life of the Party," annual staff, softball team and honor student. Choice of the band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 
 
 
 
 

BARBARA THOMPSON
Miss Frost

Barbara Thompson, daughter of Mrs. Glen Thompson, Frost, Minn. A senior, she is a member of the band, member of the chorus, the annual staff, art editor for the school paper, speech and member of the Frost dance band. She was elected by the band. Her father was killed in an auto accident.
 
 
 
 
 

LOIS HELM
Miss Woden - Crystal Lake

Lois Helm, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Helm, Crystal Lake. A senior, she is president of the band, member of the girls glee club and mixed chorus, girls sextet and brass sextet, girls trio, quartet and double mixed quartet. She plays basketball and softball, is a trombone soloist and vocal soloist, appears in the class plays and is a member of the annual and newspaper staffs, class secretary-treasurer, student council and honor society. Her father is a farmer.
 

ALICE McDONALD
Miss Boone Valley

Alice McDonald, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Beaty L. McDonald, Renwick. A senior, she is a member of the band, small groups, pep band, chorus girls glee club, annual staff, F.H.A., speech and senior play. She was the choice of the members of the band. Her father is the Methodist minister at Renwick.
 
 
 
 
 

DIANNE ELLISON
Miss Fredericksburg

Dianne Ellison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Ellison, Fredericksburg. A senior, she plays flute in the band, is a member of the flute trio and quartet, woodwind ensemble and woodwind choir. She has Division I rating. She is a member of the mixed chorus, girls' glee club, and madrigal group. Class offices, plays, and star forward on girls basketball team. Her father is a farmer.
 

GAYLE NORBY
Miss LeRoy - Ostrander

Gayle Norby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Norby, Ostrander, Minn. A junior, she is a member of the band, chorus, annual staff, cheerleader, newspaper staff, F.H.A. She is class secretary and treasurer of the band. She likes basketball. She was the choice of the LeRoy - Ostrander, Minn., band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 
 

CAROLE WIENER
Miss Burt

Carole Wienner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Wienner, Burt. A senior, she is vice president of the band, member of the girls glee club, sextet and mixed chorus, football and basketball cheerleader, student council president, member of the annual and newspaper staffs. She was the choice of the band. Her father is a carpenter.
 
 

GWEN HILLMAN
Miss Northwood - Kensett

Gwen Hillman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hillman, Northwood. A senior, she is president of the concert band, plays baritone, sings in concert choir and performs in small ensembles. She is a member of the F.T.A. and serves on the annual and school newspapers. She was Homecoming Queen, is a cheerleader and member of the G.R.A. and Latin Club. Her father is a livestock dealer.
 
 

KATHERINE TAYLOR
Miss Albert Lea

Katherine Taylor, daughter of Lois Taylor, Albert Lea, Minn. A senior, she is a member of the band, treasurer of the girls junior bowling league, secretary of the youth council, cheerleader and 1962 Snow Queen. President of Hi-Y, in student musical, "Tiger's Roar," chorus and orchestra and secretary of the German Club. Her mother is cashier for Interstate Power Co.
 

MARIANNE JOHNSON
Miss Emmons

Marianne Johnson, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Elmer M. Johnson, Emmons, Minn. A senior, she is a member of the band and drum quartet, band president, class secretary, annual staff member. Favorite sports are water skiing and boating. She was the choice of the school band. Her father is a dentist.
 

AUDREY FARM
Miss East Chain

Audrey Farm, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reynold Farm, Route 1, Blue Earth, Minn. A senior, she plays flute in the band, is a soprano in the choir, cheer leader, "A" ratings in district contests in girls trio and accompanist for the choir. She was the choice of the band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

LINDA CLUTTER
Miss Clarion

Linda Clutter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Clutter, Clarion. A senior, she is a member of the band and plays cornet, a twirler, drum majorette, secretary of the senior band, G.F.A. cheerleader, F.H.A., Latin Club. She was the choice of the band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

CONNIE BISBEE
Miss Lyle

Connie Bisbee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond E. Bisbee, Lyle, Minn. A senior, she is a member of the band, a small ensemble group, sings in the chorus and girls sextet and is a pianist. She plans to enroll in business college. Her father is a mechanic.
 
 
 

ROBERTA RENKEN
Miss Wellsburg

Roberta Renken, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Renken, Wellsburg. A senior, she is a majorette in the Wellsburg High School Band. She was selected first by the student body and a final election by the band members. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

CAROLYN FREESE
Miss Dumont

Carolyn Freese, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Freese, Dumont. A senior, she is active in marching band, concert band, swing band, glee club, mixed chorus, cheerleader, county musical festival, Dorian Festival, newspaper and annual staff, class officer, student council and homecoming queen. She was the choice of the band. Her father is a farmer.
 

SANDRA PURCELL
Miss Fertile

Sandra Purcell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Purcell, Fertile. A senior, she is drum majorette, vocalist, president of the student council, vice president of the senior class, plays basketball, is in the senior class play, co-editor of the annual and in speech work. Choice of the music department. Her father is a drainage contractor.
 
 
 

CAROL HERMANSON
Miss Ruthven

Carol Hermanson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hermanson, Ruthven. A senior, she is a member of the band, clarinet soloist, mixed chorus, girls glee club, pep club, F.H.A., student council, annual staff, Homemaker of Tomorrow Award and F.F.A. Chapter Sweetheart. She is the choice of the band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

NANCY BARKELA
Miss Sheffield - Chapen

Nancy Barkela, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Barkela, Sheffield. A senior, she plays oboe in the band, is a soloist and plays in ensembles. She sings in the girls glee club and mixed chorus, is a cheerleader. She is a member of the Future Teacher Association and the Scholastic Honor Society. Her father is a farmer.
 
 
 

JUDY WILLEKE
Miss Aplington

Judy Willeke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Willeke, Aplington. A senior, she plays first chair flute in the band, sings in the girls glee club, is class secretary, lead in fall play, in local, district and state speech contests and is part-time librarian. She is the choice of the band. Her father is a contractor.
 
 
 

BETHENE HALSNE
Miss Blairsburg

Bethene Halsne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Milo Halsne, Route 1, Blairsburg. A senior, she plays basketball, plays baritone horn in the band, is active in softball and track, is co-editor of the school newspaper and county vice president of 4-H. She was elected by the band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

SHARON KLOOSTER
Miss Ledyard

Sharon Klooster, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Klooster, Ledyard. A senior, she is a member of the band, mixed chorus, girls chorus, pep band, German band and saxophone quartet, mixed octet, sextet and triple trio. She is a vocal soloist, in class play, band officer and on paper and annual staffs. Her father is a farmer.
 
 

SHERYL JEAN OTT
Miss Greene

Sheryl Jean Ott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ott, Greene. A senior, she plays saxophone in the concert and marching band, pep and dance bands, accompanist for mixed chorus, boys glee club and girls glee club. She is active in speech work and class plays and small groups, both band and vocal. Her father is a farmer.
 

PATRICIA KATHMAN
Miss Graettinger

Patricia Kathman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kathman, Graettinger. A senior, she is a member of the band, F.H.A., basketball team, softball team, science club, pep club, annual staff, C.Y.O. and the "B" Honor Roll. She was the choice of the band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 
 

MARY STAEHLING
Miss Glenville

Mary Staehling, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Staehling, Route 1, Glenville, Minn. A junior, she is a member of the band, chorus and the newspaper staff. She is a Sunday school teacher and the choice of the Glenville band. Her father is a Lutheran pastor.
 
 
 

MARY WILL
Miss Corwith - Wesley

Mary Will, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Will, Corwith. A senior, she is president of the band, drum majorette, Look and Daily Press award for basketball, annual staff, student council, senior play, news reporter and softball. She was elected by the band. Her father is a farmer.
 
 
 
 
 

NANCY CHAPMAN
Miss Eagle Grove

Nancy Chapman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Chapman, Eagle Grove. A senior, she is a member of the marching band, concert band and pep band. Contest work includes flute solos, flute trio and quartet, and woodwind trio and quartet. Sings in the glee club, choir, double quartet and girls sextet. Member of National Honor Society, Future Nurses Club of America and Pep Katz. Her father is in the gas and oil business.
 

NANCY SCHUTTER
Miss Buffalo Center

Nancy Schutter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Schutter, Buffalo Center. A senior, she plays alto saxophone in the concert band, is drum majorette in the concert band, editor of the yearbook, secretary-treasurer of G.R.A., sings in the mixed and girls chorus, in the senior play, newspaper staff and Spanish Club. Her father is a grain farmer.
 
 
 

MYRNA THOMPSON
Miss Ringsted

Myrna Thompson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. D. Thompson, Ringsted. A sophomore, she is active in the band and chorus, speech and debate, F.T.A., cheerleader, on the softball team and plays tennis, piano, and organ. Chosen by the school. Her father farms and is the Fairmont station agent.
 
 
 
 
 

CAROL NURRE
Miss Garrigan

Carol Nurre, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Nurre, Whittemore. A senior, she is a class officer, on the student council, C.S.M.C., band, chorus, annual staff, school play, C.Y.O., operetta, clarinet trio, double mixed quartet and honor roll. She is the choice of the band. Her father is a newspaper publisher and editor.
 
 
 
  

JEAN ANDERSON
Miss Wells

Jean Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Anderson, Easton, Minn. A senior, she plays in a trombone quartet, pep band, stage band, concert and marching band. She is an honor student, on the annual staff, member of F.T.A., G.A.A. and a 1961 Girl States. Her father is a telephone engineer.
 
 
 
 
 

MARCIA RANDA
Miss Cylinder

Marcia Randa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Randa, Cylinder. A senior, she was selected to replace Mary Keepers who is unable to participate. She is a member of the band and the saxophone trio and sextet which received a Division I ratings. She is active in speech work, on tbe newspaper and annual staffs and was named Outstanding Home Economics Student of the Year. Her father is a farmer.

Transcriber's Note: Biographies for the following queen candidates were not available: Miss Ackley-Geneva, Sheryl Smith; Miss Elmore, Susan Enrich; and, Miss Plainfield, Vernelle Hassman.

 

 

 

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, June 18, 1962, Page 9

 

Carleton Stewarts entertain guests

Mr. and Mrs. Carleton Stewart, 853 6th Place SE, have a group of guests in Mason City for the band festival including Vito Pasucci, president of LeBlanc Manufacturing Corp., Paris and Kenosha, Wis.; Charles Ford, sales manager of LeBlanc; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Yoder of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Bobby Robertson, district manager for Conn Band Instrument Co., Elkhart, Ind.; Chuck Gabelman, sales manager for the Conn Band Instrument Co.; Mahlon Collins, district manager of Chicago Musical; Mr. and Mrs. Perl West, West Music Corp., Iowa City; Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Barnhouse, Barnhouse Publishing Co., Oskaloosa; Mr. and Mrs. Neil Kjos of Kjos Publishing Co., Chicago. Mr. Yoder is a composer and guest conductor for the festival. The Yoders are houseguests of the Stewarts.

 

 

Page 2

"Made my living out of Iowa the last 4 years"
* * *   * * *   * * *
Real River City welcome at the airport

Robert Preston, a man who smilingly admits having "made my living out of Iowa for the last four years," got a real River City welcome at the Mason City Airport Monday afternoon.

Preston, who starred as Prof. Harold Hill in both the stage and movie productions of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man," was greeted by nearly 500 people as he arrived to participate in Tuesday's big Music Man Marching Band Festival.

Preston was the first of the Band Festival arrivals and the crowd grew even bigger at the airport before the plane carrying Willson and his wife, Rini, arrived. On that plane also was Ronnie Howard, the child star of "The Music Man."

Ronnie, on behalf of the honored guests, accepted a key to Mason City from young Charles MacNider, [Jack] MacNider's son. And Rini Willson accepted a kiss given, on behalf of the city, by the mayor.

Arthur Godfrey, master of ceremonies for the film's press premiere, arrived at the controls of his own plane, shortly after the Willsons. With him were his wife, Mary, and the Buffalo Bills barbershop quartet.

Flashing the smile that made him famous as the smooth-talking "conman" Hill, Preston admitted that he was so impressed with the sight of the welcome from the air that he asked the pilot to circle the airport an extra time so that he could get another look.

Godfrey, a long-time flier and aviation booster, commented several times on the "beautiful airport" here.

The Willsons, fairly regular visitors to the composer's home town, also left no doubts as to their appreciation of the welcome.

Greeting celebrities as they got off planes, were May George E. Mendon, Jack MacNider, president of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce, Earl Hall, general chairman of the festival, and Elaine Douglas, Osage, the reigning queen of the festival.

After posing for a full sized platoon of cameramen, Preston made his way to the Mason City High School band, took the baton from director Paul Behm, and led the group in "76 Trombones," one of the hit songs of the Willson musical. He was loud in his praise of the group's musicianship.

Willson, of course, also led his hometown band - while Preston took over on a trombone.

Also greeting guests was the "World's Largest Flat Jack Drum" The drum, which was brought to Mason City by the Richards Musical Instrument Co., Elkhart, Ind., is more than eight feet in diameter and takes two persons in special rigs to carry. The Richards Co. is supplying the instruments which will be presented to the winning band in the marching competition.

"That is the drum of the future," Willson said. "Do you know they even have tympanis like that for marching?"

Arriving with the honored guests were representatives of the press who will attend the special press premiere of Warner Brothers "The Music Man." Included among these were Hedda Hopper, Hollywood columnist, and Irv Kupcinet, entertainment columnist for the Chicago Sun.

Miss Hopper, who will be the house guest of Gen and Mrs. Hanford MacNider during her stay in Mason City, didn't disappoint the greeters who came to see her hat. She wore a large tan straw hat with turned down brim and topped by flowers.

Transcriber's Note: Miss Hooper was renowned for her hats.

The final official plane to arrive carried Iowa Sen. Jack Miller as well as the final delegation of newsmen.

  

Meredith Willson leading the Mason City High School Band

  

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Globe Gazette Editorials, 1962

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
May 23, 2012

The stars came out for "The Music Man" premiere
by John Skipper

2017 North Iowa Band Festival
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

  MASON CITY — High school bands came from all over the country — more than 100 of them - to march in the 1962 Band Festival parade.

Jim Reynolds of Clear Lake, a trumpet player in the Clear Lake High School band, remembers one of the out-of-state bands in particular. Reynolds, a senior in high school at the time who later became a band teacher and director, said, “I had my first real job back then as a night clerk at the Lake Shore Hotel.

“That’s where the band from Bossier City, La., was staying. When their bus pulled up in front of the Hotel, we played ‘Dixie’ for them,” he said.

“Another thing I remember about that band — the day before the parade they took their horns and put them in the lake and washed them.”

Reynolds said the bands and the band directors took the competition for awards seriously on parade day.

“We saw the band from Lockport, Ill., lining up and everyone was just gawking, they looked so good. One of their kids was fooling around and he got pulled out and replaced,” he said.

Of the 121 bands participating, Lockport took top honors and Bossier City took second place.

Back in those days, after the parade, all the bands gathered at Roosevelt Stadium for a mass band concert.

“It never worked,” said Reynolds. “There were 100 bands. You’d have some bands at one end of the field playing one measure and bands on the other side of the field playing another measure.”

Another lasting memory for him is how tired he was. “I worked all night at the hotel, marched in the parade and went home and went to bed,” he said.

Bob Logan of Clear Lake was the high school’s assistant band director.

“The marching band competition was really fantastic,” he said. “It was something to see. And I remember seeing the movie stars — Shirley Jones and Ronnie Howard and Robert Preston.”

Logan said the movie premiere was supposed to start at 10 p.m. at the Palace Theater in Mason City but didn’t start until about 11:30.

“I think some people slept through it. I didn’t. It was a good movie,” he said.

The star-studded weekend drew news coverage from all over the country.

Hazel Flynn, a Midwest native who was a reporter for the Hollywood (Calif.) Citizen News, wrote:

“Over a thousand trombones, instead of just 76, split the air over Mason City today as this town threw a lollapalooza of a dual celebration. It was the first national competitive marching band festival and the world premiere of Warner Brothers’ film of Meredith Willson’s Broadway hit, ‘The Music Man.’

“I doubt if Mason City or Willson will ever forget this day. Nor will this writer, if only because she got to see the corn growing again, sat under huge, dark green shade trees and on velvety lawns and smelled the wonderful scent of meadows and clover.

“And when this disciplined and talented young America proudly paraded with heads high, playing beautiful music, much of it patriotic, something said to us, ‘don’t worry, all is well with our youth’.”

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
May 24, 2012

Hotel Hanford hosted elegant party after "Music Man" premiere
by Kristin Buehner

MASON CITY — The Hotel Hanford was the scene of many a party and fancy gathering in the days of “The Music Man” premiere. Perhaps never was this more true than at the post-premiere Champagne Supper in the hotel’s Wedgewood Room at midnight Tuesday, June 19, 1962.

The movie premiere was at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Palace Theatre. Guests invited to the supper afterward didn’t get around to eating until about 1 a.m. Wednesday, the Globe Gazette reported. Hosted by Technicolor Corp., the dinner featured colored tablecloths in red, blue, orange, green and purple. The menu included Lobster Newburg and Chicken a la King a la Sherry.

Mason City native Meredith Willson, composer of “The Music Man,” delighted everyone when he sat down at the piano to play and sing music from his hit show.

Most of the celebrities, who also included Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Ronny Howard, Morton da Costa, Arthur Godfrey and Hedda Hopper, stayed at the Hotel Hanford. They arrived in Mason City Monday, June 18.

They participated in interviews by the press corps at 5 p.m. Monday in the Grand Ballroom. A prime rib buffet followed in the Euchre and Cycle Club, according to the Globe Gazette.

Retired Mason City businessman Jack Buehner, now of Daytona Beach, Fla., was 40 at the time. He and his wife, Essie, attended the champagne dinner. He wore a tuxedo.

“It was pretty darn nice,” said Buehner, a retired executive with Henkel Construction Co.

The highlight for him was being seated next to Jones at the dinner.

“She was very nice,” he said.

He remembers Preston amusing the crowd by climbing on a luggage cart in the hotel lobby and riding it around.

Many Mason Cityans back then spent a lot of time at the Hanford.

There were company parties, service club meetings and breakfasts or lunches at the Belt ‘N Buckle restaurant, formerly the Plantation Room. As late as 1968, women dining in the Belt ‘N Buckle were asked to wear hats and gloves. Many a gentleman had his hair cut at the hotel barbershop in those days.

The elegant Euchre and Cycle Club, a private club on the top floor of the hotel, featured prime rib buffets on Sundays.

Among the famous guests who stayed at the Hotel Hanford over the years were former President Herbert Hoover and jazz composer and band leader Duke Ellington.

“It was very elegant,” said Mason City resident Jean Lawson. “A lot of people had cocktail parties and dances in the ballrooms. People would rent the ballrooms and get a band. There were lots of bands around.”

Alyce Bailey of Mason City also remembers private cocktail parties in the Wedgewood Room, at which Hob Mason, a popular Mason City pianist, would play.

Lawson remembers one year in the mid- to late-1960s when a Beaux Arts Ball was held as a fundraiser for the MacNider Art Museum, which had been donated to the city by Hanford MacNider in 1965.

“It was a costume ball,” Lawson said.

Bailey said she and her husband, the late Dick Bailey, and many other couples rented costumes from Minneapolis for the event.

The fanciest parties were in the Euchre and Cycle Club, Lawson said.

“(Former manager) Ernie Kuhn Jr. knew how to put on a party.”

The hotel was purchased in 1969 by Good Shepherd Health Center and is now The Manor apartments for senior residents.

~ ~ ~ ~

Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles, California
June 07, 1987

Charles Hillinger's America: Mason City's Premier 'Music Man': Composer Meredith Willson Left Mark on Iowa Town
by Charles Hillinger

MASON CITY, Iowa — It's easy to visualize Meredith Willson guiding a marching band down Main Street here, playing "Seventy-six Trombones." Leading the big parade at the North Iowa Band Festival in Mason City was a special treat for Willson during the '50s, '60s and '70s. The north central Iowa farm center of Mason City, population 30,000, was the author-lyricist-composer's home town -- his real-life River City.

Mason City's "Music Man," however, would probably not be pleased with what's going on in the town square; the old Cecil movie house, where Willson wiled away a lot of his youth, is being torn down.

Creator of the smash Broadway and film hit "The Music Man," Willson died June 15, 1984, at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica. He was 82. He is buried in the family plot in the Mason City cemetery where his tombstone reads: "Meredith Willson 1902-1984. 'The Music Man.' May the good Lord bless and keep you."

The epitaph was selected by his widow, Rosemary, who explained: "May the good Lord bless and keep you was his mother's blessing to children as they left her Sunday school class and the name of one of Meredith's songs." His mother's name was Rosalie. She's the Rose in "Lida Rose," one of the songs from "The Music Man." Lida was Rosalie's sister, Meredith's favorite aunt.

Son of Town's Baker

Willson was born in Mason City and lived the first 17 years of his life here, said town historian Art Fischbeck, 67. "His father was the town baker. His grandfather was one of Mason City's first settlers."

His hometown provided Willson the background and the characters for "The Music Man." He would later recall: "I didn't have to make up anything. I simply remembered Mason City in Iowa as closely as I could the way it was when I was a boy growing up."

Willson played flute and piccolo at Mason City High from 1915 to 1919. Upon graduation he joined the John Philip Sousa Band, later became a member of the New York Philharmonic and went on to direct several orchestras and compose music from hit tunes to symphonies.

But he is best remembered for "The Music Man," which opened on Broadway on Dec. 19, 1957. The film version premiered in Mason City on June 19, 1962. Townspeople still talk about the movie premiere, held in conjunction with the annual North Iowa Band Festival. Willson lead 121 bands through the streets of Mason City on that day. Not surprisingly, Mason City High School has one of the top high school music programs in the nation and the Mason City High School band consistently ranks among the best in America.

"Meredith Willson was a strong supporter of the program. The community, the kids, the school just don't dare to let that tradition end or die," said Everett Johnson, executive secretary of the Iowa High School Music Assn.

Iowa band law passed in the 1930s allow cities and towns to support municipal bands in annual budgets.

"Most communities of any size have a municipal band," Johnson said. "Every elementary, junior high, high school and college in the state has a band. Music is part of Iowa, part of the people's lives."

Gilbert Lettow, 43, music instructor at Mason City High School for 15 years and director of the school symphony, concert, marching and jazz bands during the last seven years, recalled how Willson would walk into the school's music building unannounced during rehearsals.

"He had a kind of enthusiasm that was absolutely fantastic. He never forgot his home town, his high school," Lettow said.

When Willson's widow, who lives in Brentwood, Calif., learned last year that the school needed 250 new band uniforms, she donated $27,000 toward the purchase. Interviewed the day after she returned home from a trip to Beijing for the May 8 opening of "The Music Man" in the Chinese capital, Rosemary Willson spoke of her husband's strong ties to his home town.

"We were forever flying to Mason City. We never missed the North Iowa Band Festival every June. At the drop of a hat Meredith would say: 'Honey, let's go home for a few days.' He loved Mason City and all his friends back there," she recalled.

"The Music Man" received excellent reviews in China, she added. "I thought it was well done. I don't speak Chinese, but they laughed in the right places. 'Shipoopi' was one number they really went wild about."

As the Mason City High School Marching Band ran through a practice session recently on the school grounds, Kate Wilson, 17, a senior in the band observed:

"Sure Mason City is special. It's River City. 'The Music Man.' We can all relate to that." Junior, Kevin Enabnit, 17, added: "Mr. Lettow is our Prof. Harold Hill. He isn't quite the con-man Prof. Hill was, but he sure runs a super music department."

Many businesses in town use the name River City instead of Mason City, including River City Auto Body Shop, River City Bowling Alley, River City Glass Co. and River City Home Video.

At funeral services for Meredith Willson at the Mason City First Congregational Church, Mayor Kenneth E. Kew remarked: "He was a small-town boy. He was Iowa stubborn. To me each time I hear 'Seventy-six Trombones' I get chills of pride.

"From this day forward, whenever I hear thunder rolling across the sky like timpani and bass drums, I'll say to myself there goes Meredith. He's leading another big parade."

Books by Meredith Willson

~ ~ ~ ~

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
September 18, 2014

'The Music Man in Concert' premieres in Mason City
by Laura Bird

MASON CITY -- Drawing a crowd from beyond North Iowa, "The Music Man in Concert" premiered Thursday night in the North Iowa Community Auditorium, Mason City.

"'The Music Man' is one of our favorite musicals," said Dave Clark.

Clark and his wife, Ginnie, traveled all the way from Cedar Rapids for the show. They heard about it through a radio station.

"It just always has been a favorite," Dave Clark said. "The music and the story and Meredith Willson being from Iowa."

The couple enjoys the musical so much that they've previously traveled to Mason City to see The Music Man Square and Willson's boyhood home.

"It's a good museum," Dave Clark said. "Very well done."

It was a multiple generation event for Staci Andrea of Ventura. She was there with her two daughters, Paige, 11, and Skylar, 14, and grandmother, Vanna Nelson, Hanlontown.

"We decided it would be good for all of us," Andrea said noting that her children have heard a lot about "The Music Man" and Willson in school.

Nelson came along because she's a fan of Jones.

"I think it's great," she said about Jones returning to Mason City. "We always watched her on TV."

Nelson added that she's always wanted to go to a Broadway show and "this is the closest I'll get."

The show opened with a live band playing "Seventy-six Trombones" while a slideshow of pictures from the making of the 1962 film musical played.

Jones then entered on stage to the delight of the audience.

"I'm so happy to be back in Mason City, Iowa," she said. "It's so beautiful here."

She went onto explain that she was cast for the role of Marian the Librarian when she was 27 years old and had just got done doing a movie where she played "a woman of the night."

Jones also said there were a lot more photos — many never before seen — that would be shown throughout the show.

"To this day I'm still asked what was it like to work on 'The Music Man'" she said.

Only revealing a few details, the show continued on with Harold Hill, played by Cassidy, arriving in town and the town's people singing "Iowa Stubborn."

"The Music Man in Concert" will be performed a second time Friday night before going on a Midwest tour. Tickets are available at www.niacc.edu or by calling the NIACC Box Office at 641-422-4188.

Transcriber's Note: "The Music Man" premiered on Broadway in 1957 and was adapted twice for film in 1962 and 2003. It took him some eight years and thirty revisions to complete the musical for which he wrote more than forty songs. Willson's second musical "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", ran on Broadway for 1960 to 1962 (532 performances) and was made into a 1964 motion picture starring Debbie Reynolds.

Photographs courtesy of The Globe Gazette

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2018

 

 

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