Not only were George Washington, John Quincy Adams, and James Madison presidents of the United States, they were also accomplished flute players. To carry on the tradition of accomplished flute playing, the Marshall County Arts Cooperative will feature Emporia State University’s Flute Choir. MCAC will present Emporia State University’s Flute Choir in concert Sunday, April 13, at 3:00 p.m. The concert will be at the Memorial Presbyterian Church, Marysville. Fifteen ESU students are in the choir including Nicole Musil Hlaus, daughter of Wayne and Becky Musil, Home City. Nicole composed one of the pieces the choir will play, “The Gardens,” written about Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, where Nicole’s wedding was held September 2007. Nicole is a student at Emporia State University and will receive her Bachelor of Music Education in December 2008. She has studied flute with Dr. Kate Bergman for five years, and has studied clarinet with Dr. Dawn McConkie Courtney for three years. Nicole also studied theory with Dr. Jeff Hodapp and Dr. Andrew Houchins. The Emporia State University Flute Choir is open to any ESU student. Fifteen members are in the group and they rehearse weekly for ninety minutes. Performers were selected by audition recording to perform at the Kansas Music Educators’ conventions in 2005 and 2007; the choir will perform at the National Flute Association convention in Kansas City on August 8, 2008. All of the performers are not music majors; some are studying nursing, education, special education, and accounting. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Kate Bergman who is in her sixth year at ESU. In addition to the piece written by Nicole, the choir will play “Fanfare” by Amy R. Rice-Young, “Spanish Love Song” arranged by Ann Cameron Pearce and featuring solos by Nicole Hlaus, Shelly Rhodes, and Nancy Rice. The choir will also play Martha Rearick’s arrangement of “Variations on a Madrigal by Palestrina for Solo Piccolo and Flute Choir” featuring Nancy Rice on the piccolo, as well as “Variations on a Theme by Rossini” by Fryderyk Chopin. The concert will conclude with “Yorkshire Ballad” by James Barnes. The concert is free and open to the public.

Recently, the Marshall County Arts Cooperative (MCAC) has brought professional artists to Marshall County to entertain residents. On April 12, however, MCAC will rely on local talent to wow county citizens. MCAC will sponsor “Cabaret of Stars” Saturday, April 12, at the Marysville Moose Lodge. The performance begins at 7:00 p.m. “We are proud to bring outside talent to our area so county citizens have contact with professional artists,” explains Wayne Kruse, MCAC’s executive director. “Just as importantly, we want to showcase local performers so residents are exposed to the rich pool of talent this area offers.”

“Cabaret of Stars” is a musical revue featuring seven local residents singing a selection of tunes. Pat Breeding, Brian and Mandy Cook, Wayne Kruse, Greg Marples, Molly Ryan, and Carla Wolfe will serve as the musical ensemble. They will be introduced by Victor Blecharczyk, Master of Ceremonies, and accompanied by Tam Johnson, piano, Gerry Sharp, bass, and Doug Ryan, percussion. Approximately twenty-five songs will be sung by the ensemble and several local stars will join the company for special numbers. “We’re having a fun time rehearsing for the fundraiser,” notes Mandy Cook, performer. “It’s great to be accompanied by a talented combo of musicians and it’s a treat to share the stage with Betsy Blaser and several members of the Marshall County Community Band. This county is filled with talent.”

Betsy Blaser will take the stage on several instances and play her saxophone. “She lights up the stage,” says Kruse. “Betsy’s talent is overwhelming; I’m glad she’s willing to share it with us.”

The performance begins with the ensemble singing “Good Morning Starshine” from the musical, Hair. “Stardust,” “Mack the Knife,” “Crazy,” and “Your Song” are some of the other numbers.

“The show is divided into four sets,” explains Cook. “Each set enhances the ‘star’ theme. For example, all of the songs in the first set have the word ‘star’ in them. Greg is singing ‘Stardust’ and Wayne is singing ‘Starry, Starry Night.” The second set features songs that ‘made them stars.’ I’m singing Carly Simon’s hit, ‘You’re So Vain,’ and Molly is singing the Patsy Cline classic, ‘Crazy.’ I think the audience will enjoy the diversity of songs.”

In addition to an evening of entertainment, guests will be treated to a buffet of hors d’euvres. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and guests will feast on a variety of heavy appetizers. “We’re not just featuring local stars on the stage,” says Kruse, “we’re featuring them in the kitchen, too.” Donita Cohorst, Paula Landoll Smith, Cathy LeSage, Ruth Lord, and Audrey Pilsl are preparing special treats. “MCAC is fortunate,” explains Kruse. “These cooks believe in our cause and they’re donating the food. Truly, they are stars!”

During intermission guests will be served Charlene Barnes’s award-winning sponge cake or a selection of cheesecakes. Barnes was a runner-up in the recipe contest sponsored by the Marysville Advocate.

There is no cost to attend. “There is no admission to attend the event; however, this is a fundraiser for MCAC so we hope audience members will give a donation to support the arts,” says Kruse. “We’re fortunate that so many people are donating to this cause. The performers are donating their talents, the Moose Lodge is donating the use of the facility, and some of our area’s best cooks are donating food. Hopefully, MCAC will be able to raise money so that we can bring more artists to work in the schools.”

Even though there is no cover charge, guests are encouraged to make a reservation with Kruse to assure adequate seating and food are available. Kruse may be reached at 785-744-3244 or waynekruse@bluevalley.net. Reservations are requested by April 7.

The Marshall County Arts Cooperative works for a powerful arts network in Marshall County. MCAC encourages local artistic growth and work opportunities and develops an effective arts network among area schools, parents, teachers, and communities. Plus, MCAC maximizes Marshall County residents’ exposure to the arts to create arts access for under-served rural populations. MCAC is an umbrella organization which works closely with the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art, the Marshall County Community Band, the Marshall County Community Choir, the Marshall County Educational Artists Series, the Marshall County Historical Society, and the Marysville Area Community Theatre. MCAC receives the majority of its funding from the R.L. & Elsa Helvering Trust and the Guise-Weber Foundation.

Cheryl Harness, noted children’s author and illustrator, will visit Marshall County March 26-28. Harness has written and illustrated over twenty books. As an author and illustrator, she is known for her engaging approach to history, seen in such books as Three Young Pilgrims, Ghosts of the White House, and Remember the Ladies. Just for You to Know is her first novel.

Originally thinking she would be an art teacher, Harness turned her attention to making a career producing art. “I went to college to be an art teacher,” says Harness. “After I did my student teaching, I wound up doing greeting cards for a living. About 15 years ago, I took samples of my paintings to New York and started illustrating books at night, teddy bears by day. As time went by, I began writing, just to see if I could.”

While here, Harness will visit classrooms at Marysville High School and Valley Heights High School; additionally, she will spend March 28 at Marysville Elementary School. “Marysville Elementary School is hosting ‘Absolutely Awesome Arts: A Triple ‘A’ Day’ on the 28^th,” says Sharon Vogelsberg, school librarian. “In September Mr. Lord and I started collaborating with the Marshall County Arts Cooperative to bring a noted artist to our school. We suggested Cheryl Harness because she has a body of work the students have read and she’s easily accessible to all students. Fortunately, MCAC was able to help!” adds Vogelsberg.

While working with students Harness will talk about the writing process she uses to produce her books as well as the techniques she uses to create her illustrations. “For me it’s watercolor + colored pencil + pastel, sometimes. Mostly watercolor and very pointy paintbrushes and my bony fingers,” explains Harness.

In addition to her school visits, Harness is the featured guest at the Marysville Public Library’s “Family Storytime” Thursday, March 27, at 6:45 p.m. “The public is welcome to attend,” says Pat Breeding, Marysville Public Library. “This is a great opportunity for our community to see Harness in action. She’ll read to kids and model great read aloud strategies for parents. We’re anxious to work with her.”

Plus, Harness’s work is on display at the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art. Some of the illustrations she created for They’re Off! The Story of the Pony Express are shown at the center. The public is invited to a reception honoring Harness on Wednesday, March 26, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art. “Not only will people have a chance to see a collection of Harness’s work, they’ll also have a chance to meet her,” explains Willa Griswold, director of the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art. “I met Ms. Harness when I traveled to Independence, MO to pick up her artwork. She’s a gem; she’s charismatic and full of energy, and she’s so easy to talk to. The reception is a perfect opportunity for residents to get to know her as well as get some insight into her work,” Griswold adds. There are over twenty of Harness’s works on exhibit. The Lee Dam Center for Fine Art is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.

The Marshall County Arts Cooperative is sponsoring Harness’s visit. “We are lucky to have so many artists visiting our schools!” notes Wayne Kruse, MCAC’s executive director. “A couple of weeks ago David Basse was here to share his love for jazz. Now, Cheryl Harness is coming to share her passion for art and writing. I’m glad we’re able to bring top-notch artists to our area to interact with our community.”

The Community Band had a small but enthusiastic group at the February rehearsal, and several brand new members attended. The group read through several new pieces, including music from Chicago and Glenn Miller, Leroy Anderson’s Sandpaper Ballet, and several new marches.

The next rehearsal will be on Tuesday, March 25th, from 7-8:30 at the MHS band room. There will be more new music, and a chance to look over some of the pieces from the first two rehearsals as well. Everyone is invited to attend and play.

The summer schedule is being planned by the band board. It should be a fun and entertaining summer for the Marshall County Community Band!

No one can say that the arts aren’t flourishing in our area!

In last week’s Marysville Advocate there were numerous stories about the various arts activities occurring in our county: MHS high school play, MJHS junior high musical, MACT’s spring play, David Basse’s concert, etc. I think that’s impressive!

While watching “Marshall County Live,” the concert between the MHS and VHHS bands and David Basse, I was touched by the talent of our young musicians. These budding musicians accompanied a top-notch jazz singer … and did an AWESOME job! Not only was it rewarding to watch the kids take pride in their performance, it was also stimulating to watch the crowd. People were smiling … and clapping … and I even saw a couple of people wipe tears from their eyes as they sat back and absorbed the splendor of the show.

After the concert, a couple of parents talked to me about the impact the concert had on them. One noted, “We’ve been attending a lot of basketball games this past week … and we’ve lost all of them. It’s nice to come to this concert and walk away feeling like a winner.”

That’s the beauty of the arts — everyone wins. There are no losers … only winners … because the arts are alive for everyone.

More than 250 people came to dance the night away at the Marshall County Arts Cooperative’s fundraiser. The “Hearts of Gold” Masquerade Ball featured live music from the Center Street Jazz Combo and the Marshall County Community Big Band. After the bands finished playing, Jeff Jacques took a seat to entertain as a DJ for the rest of the evening.

When guests arrived at the Moose Lodge on Saturday evening, February 16, 2008, they entered a wonderland of gossamer and gold. Big band music offered a nearly irresistible temptation to get out and cut a rug. The large dance floor was crowded for much of the evening while the bands played classics like “String of Pearls”, “Little Brown Jug”, and “Woodchopper’s Ball”.

A bit of dancing always leaves one hungry and the snack table offered up candies, cookies, cheesecakes, and savory treats as well as coffee and punch. The adults were welcome to get additional drinks from the cash bar.

The busy floor was a sea of dancers of all ages. True to the name of the event, several guests wore elaborate costumes, harking back to times long gone. More masked dancers spun around the room and those without any special accoutrement enjoyed mixing with the festively adorned hoofers.

As the evening wore on the live music ended and the musicians joined in the activities. Jeff Jacques spun the wax for the rest of the night. The magic continued for several hours with a wide variety of musical selections. He even offered up birthday wishes to Jill Schmitz and everyone joined him in song to help her celebrate.

At the end of the evening, the Arts Cooperative exceeded its fundraising goal. Thanks to everyone who bought tickets and came to have a good time.

The Center Street Jazz Combo is made up of Marysville High School band students.

• Trumpet: Michael Huerter
• Trombone: Bryan Richardson, Joey Argo
• Drumset: Joey Argo, David Glowaki
• Piano: Emily Spunaugle
• Guitar: Jacob Temeyer
• Bass: Casey Koehler
• Director: Tob Wood

The Marshall County Community Big Band players were:

• Saxophone: Betsy Blaser, Renata Ramonda, Veronica Kongs, Diane Wenger, Meg Baker
• Trumpet: Kenny Snodgrass, Tobias Wood, Bud Schuette, Luke Wenger
• Trombone: John Banister, Damian Johnson, Perry Potter, Steve Moser
• Piano: Tam Johnson
• Bass: Gerry Sharp
• Drums: David Wiggins