Get to know me

How did you first become interested in making music?

When I was in fourth grade at Duncombe School, the opportunity was offered to all

students to learn to play one of the instruments that were displayed in the auditorium. I

and several of my friends chose the violin.

Did you grow up in a musical household? If so, in what ways.

When I was very young in Sioux City, and when mom was doing housework, she listened

to music played on WNAX – the Yankton SD radio station. Mom sang to me every night

at bedtime. We attended musical First Presbyterian Churches in both Sioux City and FortDodge. Mom (Virginia) and Dad (Arthur) were both in high School and college Choirs. When I was a young kid in Sioux City, I slid on the slippery floors while mom and dad danced away at the Saturday night big band dances in the Sioux City Masonic Temple ballroom. My brother Dave took up the trumpet in grade school and we both sang in choirs and played in orchestras through junior and high school. So, there was plenty of music in our family.

What has your educational & career path been?

I graduated from Fort Dodge High School (1958), Iowa State University (BS, Math and Accounting, 1961), and University of Minnesota Law School (JD 1965). I retired as a tax lawyer this year after 60 years. I had other occupations over the years too, but, as math has always been my best skill, teaching math to middle and high schoolers was very fulfilling. I have also been tutoring math and accounting at Iowa Central for the last twelve years.

Who has had the greatest influence on you musically?

My private violin teacher from 1952-1958 was V.V. Hemphill, who was an original Fort Dodge Symphony member. Mr. Hemphill was probably the most influential (outside of my parents and many school music teachers and many other early orchestral classmates). Mr. Hemphill hung in there (as did my parents and Dave) while I scratched away and made terrible noises and suggested that someday I should consider being part of a dance band.

If you had a chance to meet any performer/musician, alive or dead, whom would you choose and why?

I would have loved to have met and played with Spike Jones and his

City Slickers. I listened to them on the radio in the 40’s and later saw them on TV and

laughed out loud every time. When I was eight, my dad had noticed all my enjoyment,

and took me to see and to laugh through their live performance on April 27, 1949 at the

RKO Orpheum in Sioux City. They were all talented and hilarious musicians. As it turns

out, several violin players did play with them over the years. My sense of humor (if any) can be attributed in part to Spike Jones and his City Slickers.

What are some of your musical accomplishments?

I have had the honor of playing in the pit orchestra or on stage with The Fort Dodge Glee Cub (1955-1958), Comedia Musica, Fort Dodge High School Orchestra and Operettas (1955-1958), All-State Orchestra and Choir, Karl King Band, Fort Dodge Area Symphony (since 1954), Iowa Central Community College Choir, Fort Dodge Choral Society, Colorado Springs Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and many solos and with other small groups in churches, weddings, funerals, and open houses since roughly 1952. My first solo was the Bach-Gounod Ave Maria at First Presbyterian. Mrs. Ralph Baughman Bastian was on the piano. I have been quite lucky to have played with so many of Fort Dodge Area’s talented church and school keyboard artists, including for many years and recently with Kathleen Schreier.

What keeps you busy, musically, now?

I practice and play for social events, such as weddings, funerals, church services, and open houses. I also have played with the Fort Dodge Area Symphony since 1954, for a few years as concert master. Every so often, I am asked to play violin with singers and other musical instruments and other groups on stage or in the pit.

What are your hobbies outside of music?

My non-musical activities include running, mountain climbing/hiking, kayaking, skiing, bicycling, and visiting historic and scenic locations in the USA. I really enjoy visiting and doing things with my daughters Liz, Amy, Leah, Mac and Emily, and their kids, and fiancée, Michelle.

What has been the hardest lesson to learn when it comes to music and performing?

The hardest lesson to learn has been to limit my performed music to that which has (to

my ears) a beautiful melody and which I can play with some degree of confidence at my

skill level. Then practicing and performing becomes easier less stressful and more

fulfilling.

What art, music or theatre, events do you most enjoy in our community?

I most enjoy the Symphony, Karl King Band, Choral Society, and ICCC performances. I want to see more of them and also performances by the Hawkeye Community Theater, high schools, and small groups, such as those at Soldier Creek Winery. Over the years, Fort Dodge has been truly blessed to have had so many very talented musical artists and organizations that could perform in a variety of wonderful venues.