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Left to right: Maggie Conley, soprano, Jill Phillips, soprano, and Tiffany Flory, alto, put on stage faces as they prepare for a performance in Jesup.
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Staff Photographer
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Staff Photographer
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'Celebration Iowa' delights audiences for 23 years and counting
By KAREN HEINSELMAN, Courier Staff Writer
JESUP --- A director's ears are always in tune.
One minute Dennis Darling is deep in conversation. The next moment, the music man leaps off a picnic bench to critique, tweak and perfect.
Singers and musicians lower instruments and hand-held microphones. The 37-member cast of Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band pauses for their founder's insights.
"Too much bass," Darling says.
The lyric "water" needs to sound lighter, he tells a staff member. The notes should dance.
"I listen. I listen. I listen," Darling says. "That's what musicians do."
Once again, the city park pavilion swells with music. The elite musical group, its members plucked from Iowa high school choirs, bands and contests, rehearses for an evening concert in Jesup.
The outdoor shelter makes for interesting acoustics. Nearby carnival rides and games bleep and beep. And then there's the train just yards away that proceeds to repeatedly shake, rattle and roll its way past the open stage. Once the horn blasted eerily on pitch, Darling points out.
"That's the magic of performing in all of these little places," he says.
Celebration Iowa makes more than 30 stops in a little more than a month. Before the summer is over, youths selected for the program will get a whirlwind glimpse of their state from a diverse selection of stages.
A church lawn in Stacyville. A riverside band shell in Davenport. Botanical Gardens in Dubuque. The classy Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls.
And last week, Jesup Farmers Day. Celebration Iowa has returned to the Buchanan County town almost every year since its inaugural concert season in 1983.
At each venue, the young performers and their veteran leader strive for excellence.
The efforts appear to pay off.
Pat Goblirsch of Jesup first fell in love with the homegrown entertainers almost 20 years ago. As a longtime host mom, she's offered students a place to eat, shower and sleep for about 18 of those years.
"They're the most popular act at Farmers Day," Goblirsch says.
The vision
In the 1980s, Iowans were working their way through a farm crisis. Two professors from Luther College in Decorah were looking for something to celebrate.
"One of the great things Iowa has always had has been quality schools, quality programs and quality youth," says Darling, a Luther professor and director of music education.
The brainstorming session at the Iowa State Fair marked the beginning of a dream that's lasted 23 years and counting. Darling and former Luther Professor Judith Bowstead Nye founded an inspirational musical group to entertain and lift the spirits of Iowans.
In the early years, the group was known as the Iowa State Fair Singers. In 1989, organizers added a jazz band.
Today, sophomores on up to recent high school graduates are eligible to audition for the program. More than 100 hopefuls try out. Judges select 20 singers, 17 jazz band members and one sound technician.
Many music-lovers, like Hudson's Ellen Rickert, joined to experience the thrill of singing in front of an audience.
"I always thought it would be fun to perform every night," the 18-year-old says.
She and teammates also quickly learned the hard work and headaches of touring.
Before hitting the road, students spend three weeks at Luther learning a two-hour program. The young artists spend 10 hours a day learning music and choreography. Throughout the summer, they also receive academic instruction related to singing, music history and theory and styles.
Days start early and end late, says Bill Hilmer, 17, of Dysart.
"It's more time-consuming than I thought," he says.
Living together for weeks means getting close with your neighbors. Students learn how to be a good member of a community, Darling says.
"It's a big bus, but you put 40 people on it, it's not that big," he says.
Each stop, and the miles between, offer a truer taste of show biz.
"The days sort of blur together," says Taylor Smith, 18, a guitarist from Cresco.
But Smith maintains every minute is worth it. Rickert notes improved vocals. And Hilmer notices improved leadership skills. He is hard-pressed to pick just one favorite part of touring.
Being in the company of other serious singers creates an atmosphere different than some high school choirs, says Jake Hagen, 17 of Cresco. The commitment level is up. And talent runs deep. Students know they are enjoying a rare opportunity, Hagen says.
"At school you are considered one of the better (singers), and you come here and everybody is the same," he says.
"Everyone wants to be here."
It's showtime
On a warm summer's evening in Jesup, every bench in the pavilion is occupied. Additional concert-goers set up lawn chairs on the lawn or stand nearby. About 400 tune in for an evening of music.
It's not uncommon to find fans that follow Celebration Iowa across the state. Verna Vaske of Manchester has seen parts of the same show more than once. Dressed in a red, white and blue dress, Vaske regrets she and husband Leon will have to leave early to go square-dancing at Farmers Day.
But hope is not lost. She's checked the touring schedule.
"We might have to go to Strawberry Point to hit the last half," Vaske says.
The 2006 season features Disney classics, African-American spirituals and hits from "Wiz," "Wicked" and "The Wizard of Oz."
The concert's middle section includes a rendition of Ave Maria and a Latin piece, "Jubilate Deo."
"We are really doing heavy stuff," Darling says. "It's absolutely stunning."
Unusual, perhaps, for summer festivals, Darling says. His experience is that Iowa audiences are accepting and musically literate.
"We haven't had anyone get up and leave yet," he says.
Darling also wants to challenge his talented crew. Darling hopes Celebration Iowa gives participants a boost in their musical pursuits or other ambitions.
The performers also inspire Iowans they meet along the way.
Celebration Iowa makes goodwill stops. Recently, the group performed at the Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo.
Bill Hilmer of Dysart recalls being amused the first time kids in the audience asked for his autograph.
"We kind of are celebrities in their eyes," Hilmer says.
"It's a great experience."
Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.
If you go
Today: Greene Community Concert in Perrin Park at 7 p.m.
July 18, Newton High School, 7 p.m.
July 20, Cedar Falls, Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.
July 27, Strawberry Point Community Concert Baseball Park, Park Avenue, 7 p.m.
July 28, Stacyville Bratwurst Daze, 603 N. Broad St., 7 p.m.
July 29, Oelwein Community Concert, Williams Center for the Arts Auditorium, 7 p.m.
Aug. 10, Crestwood High School Auditorium, 7 p.m.
For a full list of the concert schedule and for more information on Celebration Iowa Singers, go online at celebrationiowa.luther.edu/. To host Celebration Iowa contact Brenda Darling at (563)387-1009. Or e-mail inquiries to celebrationiowa@luther.edu. The group accepts donations.
One minute Dennis Darling is deep in conversation. The next moment, the music man leaps off a picnic bench to critique, tweak and perfect.
Singers and musicians lower instruments and hand-held microphones. The 37-member cast of Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band pauses for their founder's insights.
"Too much bass," Darling says.
The lyric "water" needs to sound lighter, he tells a staff member. The notes should dance.
"I listen. I listen. I listen," Darling says. "That's what musicians do."
Once again, the city park pavilion swells with music. The elite musical group, its members plucked from Iowa high school choirs, bands and contests, rehearses for an evening concert in Jesup.
The outdoor shelter makes for interesting acoustics. Nearby carnival rides and games bleep and beep. And then there's the train just yards away that proceeds to repeatedly shake, rattle and roll its way past the open stage. Once the horn blasted eerily on pitch, Darling points out.
"That's the magic of performing in all of these little places," he says.
Celebration Iowa makes more than 30 stops in a little more than a month. Before the summer is over, youths selected for the program will get a whirlwind glimpse of their state from a diverse selection of stages.
A church lawn in Stacyville. A riverside band shell in Davenport. Botanical Gardens in Dubuque. The classy Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls.
And last week, Jesup Farmers Day. Celebration Iowa has returned to the Buchanan County town almost every year since its inaugural concert season in 1983.
At each venue, the young performers and their veteran leader strive for excellence.
The efforts appear to pay off.
Pat Goblirsch of Jesup first fell in love with the homegrown entertainers almost 20 years ago. As a longtime host mom, she's offered students a place to eat, shower and sleep for about 18 of those years.
"They're the most popular act at Farmers Day," Goblirsch says.
The vision
In the 1980s, Iowans were working their way through a farm crisis. Two professors from Luther College in Decorah were looking for something to celebrate.
"One of the great things Iowa has always had has been quality schools, quality programs and quality youth," says Darling, a Luther professor and director of music education.
The brainstorming session at the Iowa State Fair marked the beginning of a dream that's lasted 23 years and counting. Darling and former Luther Professor Judith Bowstead Nye founded an inspirational musical group to entertain and lift the spirits of Iowans.
In the early years, the group was known as the Iowa State Fair Singers. In 1989, organizers added a jazz band.
Today, sophomores on up to recent high school graduates are eligible to audition for the program. More than 100 hopefuls try out. Judges select 20 singers, 17 jazz band members and one sound technician.
Many music-lovers, like Hudson's Ellen Rickert, joined to experience the thrill of singing in front of an audience.
"I always thought it would be fun to perform every night," the 18-year-old says.
She and teammates also quickly learned the hard work and headaches of touring.
Before hitting the road, students spend three weeks at Luther learning a two-hour program. The young artists spend 10 hours a day learning music and choreography. Throughout the summer, they also receive academic instruction related to singing, music history and theory and styles.
Days start early and end late, says Bill Hilmer, 17, of Dysart.
"It's more time-consuming than I thought," he says.
Living together for weeks means getting close with your neighbors. Students learn how to be a good member of a community, Darling says.
"It's a big bus, but you put 40 people on it, it's not that big," he says.
Each stop, and the miles between, offer a truer taste of show biz.
"The days sort of blur together," says Taylor Smith, 18, a guitarist from Cresco.
But Smith maintains every minute is worth it. Rickert notes improved vocals. And Hilmer notices improved leadership skills. He is hard-pressed to pick just one favorite part of touring.
Being in the company of other serious singers creates an atmosphere different than some high school choirs, says Jake Hagen, 17 of Cresco. The commitment level is up. And talent runs deep. Students know they are enjoying a rare opportunity, Hagen says.
"At school you are considered one of the better (singers), and you come here and everybody is the same," he says.
"Everyone wants to be here."
It's showtime
On a warm summer's evening in Jesup, every bench in the pavilion is occupied. Additional concert-goers set up lawn chairs on the lawn or stand nearby. About 400 tune in for an evening of music.
It's not uncommon to find fans that follow Celebration Iowa across the state. Verna Vaske of Manchester has seen parts of the same show more than once. Dressed in a red, white and blue dress, Vaske regrets she and husband Leon will have to leave early to go square-dancing at Farmers Day.
But hope is not lost. She's checked the touring schedule.
"We might have to go to Strawberry Point to hit the last half," Vaske says.
The 2006 season features Disney classics, African-American spirituals and hits from "Wiz," "Wicked" and "The Wizard of Oz."
The concert's middle section includes a rendition of Ave Maria and a Latin piece, "Jubilate Deo."
"We are really doing heavy stuff," Darling says. "It's absolutely stunning."
Unusual, perhaps, for summer festivals, Darling says. His experience is that Iowa audiences are accepting and musically literate.
"We haven't had anyone get up and leave yet," he says.
Darling also wants to challenge his talented crew. Darling hopes Celebration Iowa gives participants a boost in their musical pursuits or other ambitions.
The performers also inspire Iowans they meet along the way.
Celebration Iowa makes goodwill stops. Recently, the group performed at the Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo.
Bill Hilmer of Dysart recalls being amused the first time kids in the audience asked for his autograph.
"We kind of are celebrities in their eyes," Hilmer says.
"It's a great experience."
Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.
If you go
Today: Greene Community Concert in Perrin Park at 7 p.m.
July 18, Newton High School, 7 p.m.
July 20, Cedar Falls, Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.
July 27, Strawberry Point Community Concert Baseball Park, Park Avenue, 7 p.m.
July 28, Stacyville Bratwurst Daze, 603 N. Broad St., 7 p.m.
July 29, Oelwein Community Concert, Williams Center for the Arts Auditorium, 7 p.m.
Aug. 10, Crestwood High School Auditorium, 7 p.m.
For a full list of the concert schedule and for more information on Celebration Iowa Singers, go online at celebrationiowa.luther.edu/. To host Celebration Iowa contact Brenda Darling at (563)387-1009. Or e-mail inquiries to celebrationiowa@luther.edu. The group accepts donations.
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