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The Fridley City Band members performed at Norwood Square on November 12, 2007. |
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Shirley Fors I am new to the Fridley City Band, and I just love it. It is so much fun to hear the music and be a part of it! I am an audiologist with two practice locations; Plymouth and Northeast Minneapolis, providing diagnostic hearing evaluations and hearing aids. I play the flute, which, as you know, is a high-pitched instrument. Since most people lose their hearing in the high pitches first, I like to think I am helping them hear the flutes! (And speech, of course!) |
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I started playing the oboe in fifth grade, continued to play through high school, and then took a LONG break. In the early 90s I started playing again and was thrilled to be welcomed by the Fridley City Band. I look forward to our Monday evening rehearsals as a time when I can forget about everything else and just enjoy playing music with a great group of like-minded musicians and a great director. In my day job, I develop training materials for companies and do technical writing.
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My family were all musicians, so I didn't stand a chance. I had to be one too. As early as about 15 years old, I was playing trombone in an Old-Time band with my Dad, saxophone, and my Mon, piano, too, on occasions. High school was busy with marching, jazz, orchestra and dance bands. In the Navy, I found that the Drum and Bugle Corps members didn't have to do drills with their company, so I quickly leaned to play a brass bugle. I stayed at the recruit base for a year and ended up directing the base dance band. Currently I play trombone with both the concert band and the German band. My wife is still teaching piano students, so as long as I play keyboards for enjoyment, two organs in our apartment seems to make sense. If you have ever done any instrumental music and would like to try it again you are welcome to come and join us. You would find us to be a group of friendly folks. |
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Edrie Kioski I have been playing the clarinet since 2003, and have been in the Band Since March 2005. I am a retired physician previously at Aspen Medical Group, then the United Pain Center in St. Paul. I am married to Greg and have 4 grown children and one granddaughter, and have been working on the Band's website. |
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Jack wrote: "I have played clarinet in the city band for about 25 years and have loved every minute of it! I had performed with my home town city band, in Sheboygan WI, but allowed over 10 years to pass without performing in a band - what a dessert! I have a Ph.D in education and am a faculty chair for several MS IT programs for a totally online university. I have recently become a grandfather and hope my gradson will enjoy music as much as I do." Jack will be greatly missed. |
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Marv Loff (1932 - 2008) Marv passed away July 24th of natural causes. He was the primary force behind and champion of the Fridley City German Band. He enjoyed playing with us through all situations and always had a smile for each member of the band. He will be deeply missed. 1935 – age 3 – Would fall asleep in front of Gene Anderson’s drum set at Saturday night dances at Trout Lake Hall. |
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Phil Raaen (Our Director) Phil started playing in the City Band in 1977 when he began his teaching career at the Jr. High. He began filling in where ever the band needed him. This meant playing tuba, baritone, trombone, percussion, and he even ventured into the french horn section. In 1987, he took over the directorship from his mentor Dave Olson. He loves directing this devoted and diverse group of musicians. The band has developed a Dixieland Band and a German Band which Phil also leads and plays in . Phil is currently director of bands at Southwest Jr. High in Forest Lake. |
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Maija Sedzielarz I have played French horn since my high school band days. I took a 20 year break after high school, and started again when my daughter started learning a musical instrument. I played in a community band in Chicago, and when we moved back to Minnesota, I found the Fridley City Band and have been in the awesome French horn section ever since. For my day job, I develop new programs for students and teachers at the Science Museum of Minnesota. My biggest fan is my granddaughter, Liliana. |