Country Music

Spaghetti supper, service and quilt auction benefit LCS music students (03/17/10)
Le Mars Community School Music Boosters will hold its annual Spaghetti Supper and Auction Friday, March 19. The spaghetti supper will be served from 5-7 p.m. in the Le Mars Community High School cafeteria. On the menu is spaghetti with choice of sauce: red with meat or without, and alfredo, along with lettuce salad, garlic bread, ice cream and beverages...

LCMS students bring musical 'Honk! Jr.' to Le Mars stage (03/10/10)
The Le Mars Community Middle School Vocal Department will present "Honk" Junior," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the Middle School Auditorium under the direction of Nancy Ewing. "Honk! Junior" is a contemporary, comic adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling."...

LCS Winter concert set for Tuesday (03/01/10)
The High School Vocal Music Department will present its annual Winter Concert in the Middle School Auditorium Tuesday. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for students and will be collected at the door. In addition, passes will be honored...

Merrill residents apprehensive on proposed Kissinger closure (02/18/10)
Final decision time is nearing on the question of whether to close Kissinger Elementary School in Merrill. The Le Mars Community Schools Board is holding a special meeting 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) for public input and comments regarding proposed budget cuts, which include shuttering the Merrill elementary...

Local jazz bands qualify for Iowa Jazz Championships (02/12/10)
Jazz bands at Le Mars Community High School and Gehlen Catholic High School qualified for the Iowa Jazz Championships April 13 in Des Moines. Both placed second in their respective classes at the NW Iowa District Jazz Competition in Sioux City Feb. 3. LCS will compete in Class 3A and Gehlen Catholic in Class 1A...

Cross country skiers head to Le Mars' parks (01/20/10)
Temperatures in the teens, no sun and 24 inches of snow on the ground isn't the ideal setting for most. But for Curt Strathman and Barb Becker, both of Le Mars, those conditions add up to the perfect setting for cross country skiing. Cross country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...

Kingsley author to share at cowboy poetry event (01/19/10)
A Kingsley man will be taking the stage at a free cowboy poetry and western music event at the Stockyard Heritage Days in Sioux City. Rich Krosch, of Kingsley, author and retired teacher, will be sharing some of his cowboy poetry at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Tyson Events Center/Gateway arena...

Grade school students discover culture through music (01/15/10)
Thursday, Le Mars Community Schools elementary students listened to Lauren Pelon, of Red Wing, Minn., as she played a variety of musical sounds from many countries and cultures. Pelon's collection ranges from the ancient bone flute, gemshorn and lyre to a modern electric wind instrument and vocal processor...

Riding the air waves: Boehm connects to the world through radio (01/13/10)
It doesn't look like a hub of international communication. But that's exactly what Donald and Harriet Boehm's cozy green house, tucked into the quiet streets of Merrill, is. Don has spoken with people from every state in the nation and on all seven continents...

Le Mars Chamber plans New Year's Eve dance (12/11/09)
Live music, dancing, snacks, noisemakers and fun -- that's what awaits the people attending the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce New Year's Eve Dance. The Main Street Organizational Committee will be hosting a New Year's Eve dance Thursday, Dec. 31, in the upper level of the Le Mars Convention Center...

Museum plans New Year's ball (12/10/09)
"New York! New York!" once again will be the theme for the New Year's Eve Ball at the Plymouth County Historical Museum Thursday, Dec. 31, in Le Mars. This year's ball is being billed as a family event. The evening will include a children's movie in the Music Room for those wishing to bring children or grandchildren...

Change from basketball to baritone a blessing, Embree says (12/08/09)
"I am so very grateful for the life I have been able to have. I am indeed one really lucky man," says singer Marc Embree. "I could not have imagined, not in my most extravagant dreams the great experiences and extraordinary people that have touched my life."...

LCS, Gehlen students present holiday music concerts (12/01/09)

Remsen native propels Osmond to the top (12/01/09)
"Hamster, we did it!" That's the text message Donny Osmond sent Remsen native Adam Gentz after taking home the Dancing with the Stars trophy Nov. 24. Gentz, Osmond's personal trainer, had been working with the singer for three months in Las Vegas to build the strength, agility and endurance to dance his way to the top in the TV competition...

Winter day camp at Hillview (12/01/09)
A day camp for fourth through eighth graders will be hosted at Hillview Park in Hinton Dec. 30. Plymouth County Conservation is hosting the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. camp, offering a range of activities including snowshoeing, cross country skiing, tracking, shelter building, ice fishing, Dutch oven cooking and more...

Fitzpatrick's love of music turned into choir director job (11/19/09)
Little did Marlene Fitzpatrick know when she tagged along with her dad as a child to choir rehearsal at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars, she would one day be the choir's director. Sunday, she will be honored on her retirement after 35 years as choir director and liturgist at St. James Church. The open house will be held from 2-4 p.m. in the St. James parish hall...

Storming the stage: Behind the scenes with Crimson and Black (11/13/09)
Spotlights flare up. Energy hums. Color flashes. Crimson and Black takes the stage -- and once again sweeps the audience to its feet, roaring with approval. This is the Le Mars Community High School show choir, which has built regional fame on hours of sweat and singing...

The young face of Veteran's Day: Sitzmann shares story (11/11/09)
Curtis Sitzmann, of Le Mars, remembers when he was a child thinking that veterans were older guys. "I'm only 22," the Army National Guard member said Monday at the Le Mars armory where he was helping clean up after a weekend of training. But the young soldier is already a veteran...

Gehlen, LCS students selected for Opus Honor Choir Festival (11/09/09)
Students from Le Mars Community Schools and Gehlen Catholic School have been chosen to participate in the 23rd annual Opus Honor Choir Festival. Gehlen Catholic eighth grade student Sara Roder will make her fourth appearance in an Opus Honor Choir. She also received the high honor of being chosen as a solo finalist for the song, "Benedictus" in the 7th & 8th Grade Girls Honor Choir...

What you missed today by not subscribing... (11/05/09)
Upcoming Jazz Band and Symphony concert schedules... Gehlen students helping on annual service day... Students selected for NW Iowa Junior High Honor Band.... ...AND so much more! You can subscribe by calling (712) 546-7031 OR you can subscribe right here online to our e-edition...

Slush Fund Benefit debuts Saturday (11/05/09)
How about a photograph with Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff dressed as Elvis Presley? Or a foot-stompin' good time dancing or listening to country, rock and roll and gospel music? If that gets your blood pumping, the first ever Slush Fund Benefit is the place to be from 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday, according to organizer Tom Mullally...

LCS musicians selected for All-State Festival (11/03/09)
Thirteen Le Mars Community High School musicians have been chosen to be part of the 2009 Iowa All-State Music Festival with another five chosen as alternates. District auditions were held Oct. 24 at Storm Lake. Four students were selected for the All-State band...

Horn blowing earns student honor of being Marine musician (10/05/09)
Kris Ohrlund began playing the tuba eight years ago. In September that choice paid off when the Le Mars Community High School senior's musical talent earned him a seat playing with the U.S. Marine Corps Band. "They play all over the world," Ohrlund said. "They play for the President, for basic training graduations and the National Anthem at professional games."...

Free strings concert Wednesday (10/05/09)
A free concert involving strings musicians from eight northwest Iowa schools will be filling the Le Mars Community Schools (LCS) auditorium with sound Wednesday. The 4 p.m. concert, open to the public, will involve 27 LCS seventh and eighth grade musicians along with others from around the region...

Presbyterian UCC celebrates 125 years of sharing faith (09/11/09)

Bluegrass festival brings thousands (09/08/09)
A week of gorgeous weather and good music brought about 25,000 people to the Plymouth County Fairgrounds last week, according to Bob Everhart. Everhart is one of the coordinators of the National Traditional Old Time Country, Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival that was hosted for the second time at the fairgrounds in Le Mars this year...

Yahsu Le Mars -- that's Greek for 'Hello' (09/04/09)
The men leap and shout and whistle. The ladies shyly lift dainty ankles and move in graceful circles. Dressed from head to toe in red, black, white and gold, a group of Greek dancers from Hungary are bringing a new heritage to the 34th Annual National Old Time Country, Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival this week in Le Mars...

Swatzells keep dobro tradition alive (09/03/09)
Each day Bertha Swatzell and Mary Nell Swatzell Eidson open the doors of the Dobrotorium at the 34th Annual National Old Time Country, Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival to a steady stream of performers. More than likely, many performances will include a dobro, also known as a slide or acoustical guitar...

Country music veteran earns spot in Hall of Fame (09/03/09)
Razzy Bailey came all the way from Georgia to accept his induction into America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame Wednesday. The induction took place during the 34th Annual National Old Time Country, Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival in Le Mars...

Free soup: Tradition lives on in Tipi Village (09/02/09)
In the 1840s, when people pulled up to a fur trading camp, they'd be sure to find a pot on the fire. "Whoever had been on the trail could always depend on a hot meal," said Catfish Grinstead, stirring a pot in his tent in the Tipi Village at the National Old Time Country, Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival in Le Mars...

Singer, songwriter's career grows during CIA service (09/01/09)
Francis Hahn has worn many caps in his lifetime from CIA operative to shoe store repair owner to airport manager. His most fulfilling career -- his music. "I've enjoyed song writing more than anything I've ever done," Hahn said. The Mapleton man sang his tunes on the Church of Jesus stage at the 34th Annual National Old Time Country Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival Monday afternoon...

Music festival ready to go back to the roots (08/31/09)
On a park bench, two men pluck strings and tune guitars. On stage, a Johnny Cash tribute artist belts out the man in black's hits. This was the scene at the Olson Cultural Event Center in Le Mars Sunday. Only the two men tuning up were from northwest England. And the Johnny Cash artist was from Slovakia...

Teen realizes dream of auditioning for television show (08/31/09)
Cole Barbee, a Hinton Community School sophomore, has wanted to audition for American Idol since he was 9 years old. His dream became reality this past summer when he participated in American Idol tryouts in Denver, Colo. July 11, 12 and 13. "It was my first chance to get in because I had to be 16," Barbee said. "I knew about them from the very first season (2002) and I've been waiting ever since."...

Le Mars to serve as international hub for music (08/06/09)
Skip New York. Le Mars will be an international junction Aug. 31-Sept. 6 when musicians from as far as Greece, New Zealand and the country of Georgia will be taking the stage. This is Le Mars' second year hosting the National Old-Time Country and Bluegrass Festival at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds...

Live music, dancing at farmer's market (08/05/09)
Wednesday's farmer's market will continue a tradition of live music at Olson Cultural Event Center. This week's free show, from 5-6 p.m., features the Rejoice! Community Church's praise band singing live on stage. Next week's show is a free square dance, and all are invited...

Musical notes create festive mood at Farmer's Market (07/20/09)
Bloodshed Assurance's musicians will take to the stage at the Olson Cultural Event Center during Wednesday's Farmer's Market. The band is one of several to provide entertainment during the market in a new effort by the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Le Mars promotions committee to draw more people to the Farmer's Market, said Mary Reynolds, Main Street director...

Municipal Band presents last concert of summer season (07/20/09)
The Le Mars Municipal Band will present its sixth and final concert of the summer season 8 p.m. Wednesday at Foster Park. The band is directed by conductor Jerry Bertrand, and the Rev. Gary Landsness serves as concert announcer. The band will open the concert with "Folk Song Suite" by the English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. The three movements in the suite are March - "Seventeen Come Sunday," Intermezzo - "My Bonnie Boy," and March - "Folk Songs from Somerset."...

Municipal Band concert features percussion solo (07/13/09)
The Le Mars Municipal Band will present its fifth concert of the summer at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Foster Park on Central Avenue South in Le Mars. Admission is free. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs. The band will open the concert with "Rush" by Samuel Hazo. The band will then play "To the Summit" by Robert W. Smith. This will be followed by "Yosemite Autumn" by Mark Camphouse...

Juhls to host music fest benefiting prison ministry (07/09/09)
Get ready to tap your toes at The Second Annual Country & Gospel Musicfest this Saturday at the Mark and Cheryl Juhl farm grove stage at 11584 Polk Avenue, rural Remsen. The day-long event is a fundraiser for The Church of the Damascus Road, a prison congregation in Fort Dodge and Rockwell City...

Municipal Band is back to Wednesday concert schedule (07/07/09)
The 2009 summer concert season continues as the Le Mars Municipal Band presents its fourth concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Foster Park. Conducting the band will be Jerry Bertrand, with the Rev. Gary Landsness serving as announcer. The concert opens with "The Matinee," a march by Will Huff. The band will then play "Tiberius Overture" by Herbert L. Clarke...

Westmar College alums of '60s ready to rock 'n roll (07/02/09)
Westmar College alumni will gather for The Great 60s Decade and All-Decades Football Reunion July 10 and 11 in Le Mars. The Friday and Saturday reunion includes planned events and free time for alumni and friends to gather. "Were you an athlete for Westmar?" reunion committee member Glenn Jagodzinske wrote in a letter to alumni. "For many of us, the opportunity to play sports drew us to Westmar initially."...

Municipal Band presents Fourth of July concert (07/01/09)
Foster Park will be filled with patriotic music 8 p.m. Saturday as the Le Mars Municipal Band presents its traditional Fourth of July concert. The band, under the direction of Jerry Bertrand, will open the concert with "Manhattan Beach," a march by John Philip Sousa. ...

Ice Cream Days - what a flavor of home (06/12/09)
"It's all about Ice Cream!" is the theme for the 2009 Ice Cream Days celebration next week in Le Mars. The Ice Cream Capital of the World is ready to roll out the ice cream carts, cones, scoops and sandwiches. You name it. "Cone Sculptures" at the Arts Center and root beer floats at the Plymouth County Historical Museum start the day off Thursday, June 18, with both open from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday...

Spring Concert Sunday at the Arts Center (06/05/09)
The Shining Stars Show Choir and the Le Mars Flute Choir will be in concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Arts Center, 200 Central Ave. S.E. The Shining Stars Show Choir is a group of fourth, fifth and sixth graders who have prepared their music under the direction of Carol Hallberg. For this semester, the members also did all the choreography for their show...

Garage bands: Rockin' youth have dreams of big success (06/04/09)
Every band has something in common, they all start at the bottom. In garages, basements, and any space availible they practice with hopes to make it big. For Bloodshed Assurance and another newly formed band in Le Mars, their start is in a basement...

Arts Center schedules summer activities (06/01/09)
Throughout the summer, the Le Mars Arts Center will be holding activities for students ranging from birth to high school to broaden their experience in music, drama, art and dance. Drama camp and Kindermusik camp will be offered for their third year each. Kindermusik will be split among three different age groups...

Interns add new perspective in print (05/28/09)
The Daily Sentinel will have two more writers on staff as college has concluded and interns have been hired. Newcomer Kelsie Anthony, of Le Mars, and second-year intern Luke Widbin, of Sioux Center, can be seen and read all summer as they hone their newswriting skills...

Fee increases for LCS students in 2009-10 year (05/27/09)
Fees for LCS middle and high school music students, pupil insurance, student activity tickets and hot lunch ticket prices will increase for the 2009-10 school year. The increases were approved by the Le Mars Community School Board of Education Tuesday night, as recommended by Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt...

The Browns host MusicFest Midwest Friday in Sioux City (05/14/09)
The Brown Family of Merrill will take to the stage at the Sioux City Convention Center Friday evening, May 15 at the 2009 Spring MusicFest Midwest featuring Gospel music. "We are really excited to be back home and to present this concert," said Shelly Brown...

LCS presents Parade of Bands April 30 (04/28/09)
The Le Mars Community Schools Music Department will hold its annual Parade of Bands concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in the Carey High School Gymnasium. Seniors will be recognized at this concert. The Fifth Grade Band will start the concert with its first performance ever. It will be playing "G-Force Five," "Cardiff Castle" and "Cowboy Cattle Drive."...

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