Kewaskum Big Band
History
In 2008, the Kewaskum Big Band got its start with a discussion over coffee between Larry Ammel, retired band teacher, and Mike Krumm, the school district superintendent. Local musician and trumpeter, Howard Schneider, was brought in to the discussion and he agreed to lead the band if it could be started.
A start date was agreed on, a first rehearsal scheduled and advertised and people showed up. Enough brass, saxophone and rhythm players answered the call at that first rehearsal that the band was able to start reading musical charts of big band music and it grew from there.
The personnel have changed over the years as people’s lives changed but a core of around ten people have stayed together. After Larry passed and Howard stepped down from directorship, Clayton Frounfelker took over as musical leader.
The band draws musicians from Kewaskum, West Bend, Fond du Lac , Milwaukee and areas in between .
About Us
The personnel in the band is now composed of high school and college students, adult amateurs, and professionally trained musicians from all over southeastern Wisconsin. Anyone is welcome to play in the band who qualifies by attending rehearsals, playing the concerts and is willing to work hard at performing the music to the best of their ability.
The band's performance library is expanding to include every conceivable music style scored for big band instrumentation. An educational dimension has been added to our performance/entertainment objectives. This means that members of the band get to experience, enjoy, and learn how to perform, music of great variety which we share with our listening public. Everyone benefits!
Directors
The band is now co-led by three area musicians:
- Mr. Clayton Frounfelker - retired public school band director, excellent professional trumpet performer/band leader and sole proprietor of Hi Horns Music in Kewaskum (www.hihornsmusic.com) Mr. Frounfelker's responsibilities include the following: managing personnel, selecting music, librarian, organizing/directing rehearsals, and leading the band as first trumpet at public performances.
- Mr. Eric Christie - retired Kewaskum High School band director and excellent percussionist. Mr. Christie's responsibilities include representing the band on the Arts Council, acting as our booking agent and performing as the lead percussionist in the band.
- Mr. Josh Michlig - Kewaskum High School Band Director and excellent percussionist. Mr. Michlig's responsibilities include sound system engineering and set up for all our performances, and playing guitar in the band. Mr. Michlig also represents the K.B.B. at the high school for rehearsal space/dates, concerts and equipment needs.
Auditioning to become a member of KBB
- To audition contact Mr. Frounfelker at: 262-626-1795 or just show up for a rehearsal. Any instrument is possible and welcome. We can work you in!
- Rehearsals are on every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, March through December.
- Rehearsals are from 7:00PM until 9:00PM in the Kewaskum H.S. band room.
- Concerts are scheduled from early summer through early winter (about 6 to 8 a year).
- No one is obligated to play all the rehearsals or all the concerts. Everyone has a life!