DigElogSAUKRAPIDS

Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School Band * RAPIDS RIVER DAYS PARADE 2008

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This is the first in a series of special videos featuring highlights of the 2008 Sauk Rapids River Days Parade and Festival.  Our first parade feature includes a performance by none other than our own Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School Marching Storm under the direction of Heidi Martinson and Danell Dalton.  The 75 member band performs Go. Go. Go... Joseph, a selection from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Stay tuned for all the bands and parade highlights here on DigElogSAUKRAPIDS.

St. John's Boys' Choir Leaves For Czech Republic

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The SJBC Concert Choir departed on Friday, June 27 for the Czech Republic where they will represent the United States and the state of Minnesota at the International Boys' and Men's Choral Festival in Hradec Králové and Prague. The boys will travel throughout various regions of the country, exploring the nation's architecture, history and culture. This marks the choirs second trip to the Czech Republic.

In this video you'll join the boys and their parents as they say final farewells the day of their departure.  The concert tour this year is being lead by the Boys' Choir new concert choir director André-Louis Heywood.   André Heywood joined the St. John's Boys' Choir staff a year ago.  He has a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the Don Wright Faculty of Music of the University of Western Ontario.

Another special feature of this video story is a short interview with Br. Paul Richards as he reflects back on the very first trip the Boys' Choir took to Europe.  It was for 21 days and included a combination of about 30 boys and numerous parent chaperones. This years tour will include 13 days in the Czech Republic.

Friday, June 27 & Saturday, June 28
The boys did a great job of dealing with the more than 30 hours of travelling and sight-seeing. They journed first to Hluboka Castle before settling in the hostel at Cesky Krumlov. Lukas Pribyl of Boni Pueri is serving as their guide for these first few days.

     
Sunday, June 29
The day began by attending mass at the Church of St. Vitus. The boys were *excellent*, being very attentive even though they didn't understand a single word. They also tried singing along with some of the Czech hymns. They then spent some time rehearsing in the lobby of the hostel, drawing a number of visitors passing by on the street. After lunch was some time for shopping followed by a tour of the town on wood rafts. The boys had a free evening for socialization.       

Monday, June 30
The boys started the day with a silent breakfast (a tribute to Br. Paul pehaps?) and then set off to Hradec Králové, the site of the Festival. They enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Duran restaurant and then headed into their venue rehearsal at Holy Spirit Cathedral, a 700-year old church in the Old Town square. The boys had a great rehearsal and then spent some time settling into their dorms and having dinner. They then attended the opening ceremonies of the festival, featuring a cameo performance by each choir. The boys were particularly impressed with Boni Pueri, the host choir, and with the American Boychoir who they will sing with in November. Tomorrow begin the long days of festival rehearsals!

Sauk Rapids/Rice High School Jazz Band

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Earlier this Spring, on May 5th, the Sauk Rapids/Rice Jazz Band performed in the High School Commons.  It was a lively evening of great music.  Watching this video story will have you tapping your toes and clapping your hands.

3 Year Old Tyler Hibbison Sings National Anthem

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Sometimes very special things come in very small packages.  In this video story your'll meet 3 year old Tyler Hibbison.  Tyler has been going to ROCORI basketball games since he was born.  Yes... literally since the day he was born.  You see his dad Matt Hibbison is assistant coach of the ROCORI varsity team and his mom Shelli has always attended the games even before Tyler was born.  As Tyler had matured through ages 1, 2 and now 3 at basketball games, he has always loved standing and singing along to our countries national anthem. 

On Friday, Februray 29th, 2008, at his ripe young age of 3 years old, Tyler stood before a jam packed croud in the gymnasium at ROCORI High School in Cold Spring, Minnesota, USA.  Tyler took the microphone from his dad and without a moments hesitation began singing the Star Spangled Banner.  He sang it from beginning to end.  A solid performance that even American Idol audiences would have stood up and cheered for.  What an amazing young man.  I can't wait to see what he'll be up to about 10 years from now.

A special thank you goes out to Tyler's mom, Shelli Hibbison, who captured this moment for all of us to enjoy. 

Sauk Rapids Jazz Band

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The Sauk Rapids Jazz Band played fantastic at their winter performance last week. A large crowd was on hand at the high school and the students played as remarkably as they looked. This story features a full length song from the band’s performance.

The Alarmists "Light a Smoke"

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Back by popular demand, here are The Alarmists. The viewers have spoken and they want more Alarmists. This story features another full-length song from “The Unknown Event” on Friday November 16, 2007 at The Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, MN. The Alarmists are a local rock and roll band that has quickly gained a large following. They have enjoyed critical acclaim and hope that their popularity will grow in the Central Minnesota area. Please check out their website @ www.thealarmistsband.com

Sauk Rapids Halloween Band

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On October 30, the Sauk Rapids High School jazz band played a special Halloween concert as part of their annual fundraiser. Members of the band dressed up in their costumes and their show as a large success. The band played four spooky songs for the crowd. This story features one of those songs in full.

Sauk Rapids Band Promo

   
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The Sauk Rapids/Rice High School Band is about to conclude their 2007 performance season this week as a part of the homecoming half-time show during the football game.  The band has had an outstanding season including numerous performance awards from across the state.  This video created by students at Sauk Rapids/Rice High School, represents a piece of this fantastic year.

Killer Hayseeds

   
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The legendary musical group, “The Killer Hayseeds” visited Cold Spring and played an outdoor concert as part of the celebration for Cold Spring’s Hometown Pride Days. The group was recently inducted into Minnesota’s Rock and Country Hall of Fame. This story features footage from the outdoor concert as well as interviews with each one of the band members.
   
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Winners Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Cold Spring are proud to be apart of the 2007 Hometown Pride Festival, and the Friday night concert by the Killer Hayseeds.  Winners Sports Bar & Grill a great place to relax, have a bite to eat,  and have a cool one during the game or anytime.
       
Click Here To See Other Winners Sports Bar & Grill Sponsored Stories

Gluek Soldier Tribute Concert

   
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Gluek Brewing Company proudly celebrated 150 years of service by hosting a country music concert that was held in honor of all of our service members in the United States military. Jamie O’Neal, Darryl Worley and Lonestar played for the large crowd that gathered on the north side of the Gluek Distribution Center. This story features footage from Darryl Worley’s soldier ceremony as well as an interview with a newly returned veteran of the Iraq War.
   
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Gluek Brewing Company, celebrating their 150th year anniversary, sponsored this story.  The modern day Gluek is now a state of the art brewery, beverage bottling, and production facility in Cold Spring Minnesota. It is the number one producer of energy specialty drinks and craft beer brands in the country.   Remember good things are brewing here in Cold Spring.
      
Click Here To See Other Gluek Sponsored Stories

Brother Paul Richard's Boys' Choir Retirement Party

    
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This summer, after 26 years, Brother Paul Richards, dreamer, founder, director, visionary, promoter and leader of the St. John's Boys' Choir of Central Minnesota has stepped down from his position with the group.  He leaves behind a positive legacy that this story only skirts the very edge of the iceberg seen above the water... let alone the 90% of the iceberg left unseen below the water.

The text below was taken from the Boys' Choir Website, submitted by Brother Paul last year.

Visit the St. John's Boys' Choir Website

Click Here To See The St. John's Boys Choir Perform Star Gatherer

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Dear Friends,

The saying that suggests ‘history has a way of repeating itself,’ rings true for The St. John’s Boys’ Choir. In 1981, the Choir was founded to provide opportunities for boys while bringing extraordinary music to area residents.

We stayed true to our mission, building a viable organization with sustaining impact on Choir members, families, teachers and others associated with The St. John’s Boys’ Choir.

To say that I am proud of the Choir’s achievements would be a serious understatement. Our music program is solid; we have earned a strong national and international reputation. Though always a challenge, our financial position promotes long-term viability. Friends have been generous and we have successfully entered the realm of grants and fundraising (keep those critical dollars coming).

In addition to our strengths in music and finances, I must commend the boys and their families for their hard work and, sometimes, difficult decisions made in order to meet the demands and responsibilities associated with being part of the Choir. The administrative and professional staff, student workers, Board of Directors, members of the Abbey community….all playing critical roles in the ongoing story of The St. John’s Boys’ Choir.

The 26th Season brings another milestone to the Choir’s rich and varied history. The Choir commissioned world-renowned Minnesota composer Stephen Paulus to prepare an opera which would feature boys as the major characters. Working with celebrated librettist Gene Sheer of New York, The Star Gatherer, was developed and celebrated with its world debut by The St. John’s Boys’ Choir at Saint John’s University.

This performance is indicative of the Choir’s growth and continued desire to bring great gifts of music and culture to the good people of central Minnesota.

You are all stars.
Blessings,

Br. Paul Richards, O.S.B.
Music Director

Guitar Hero Tournament Part 2

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Nothing signifies fun times more than good rock music, a tasty plate of food, and a cold beer. Last week the Bear Creek Tavern welcomed thirty-two video game whizzes to compete in their first ever Guitar Hero II tournament. This story features coverage of the event as well as an interview with the winner of the tournament. Bear Creek plans to host another tournament and they are encouraging twenty-one plus members from the St Cloud and surrounding communities to come out and compete.

Click Here To Watch The First Half Of The Tournament

Guitar Hero Tournament Part 1

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Nothing signifies fun times more than good rock music, a tasty plate of food, and a cold beer. Last week the Bear Creek Tavern welcomed thirty-two video game whizzes to compete in their first ever Guitar Hero II tournament. This story features coverage of the event and an interview with the tournament coordinator. Stay tuned for part two of this story as it includes the final stages of the tournament as well as an interview with the winner. Bear Creek plans to host another tournament and they are encouraging twenty-one plus members from the St Cloud and surrounding communities to come out and compete.

Click Here To Watch The Second Half Of The Tournament

Gluek 150th Anniversary Concert Celebration

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Saturday, July 28th, 2007, Gluek Brewing Company will celebrate their 150th Anniversary by holding a special concert at the Distribution Center on the north side of Cold Spring, MN.  During the concert they'll present country stars Jamie O'Neal, Darryl Worley, and Lonestar.  Get your tickets by calling Gluek Brewing Company @ 320.685.8686 or online at Wild Country Radio .  Doors open at 4:00 pm.

                                                                                             

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Saturday, July 28th  2007 at the Gluek Distribution Center, Cold Spring CLICK HERE TO SEE MAP  4:00PM     Doors Open 5:45PM     Jamie O'Neal 7:30PM     Darryl Worley 9:15PM     LONESTAR **FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO FOLLOW THE SHOW   If you'd like to PURCHASE: Tickets are $30, and are available at Gluek Brewing Company, the Wild Country 99 studios, or online by clicking HERE! No age requirements or ticket limits! Other Information: Ø Cash, Credit or check is accepted. o All checks need to be payable to Gluek Ø A 6.5 % tax is required on all ticket sales ($1.95 PER TICKET) OnLine Orders Ø There is a flat $5 shipping and handling fee on each ticket o (this fee does not get taxed) Ø Tickets will be mailed by certified mail within 3 weeks All sales are final. Rain or Shine. No Exchanges or refunds.

Book & Bean Cafe Outdoor Concert

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After a brief shower in the morning, the sun shined and many people gathered at the Book and Bean Espresso Café to enjoy food, drinks, and wonderful music. The Book and Bean is located at the intersection of Washington Memorial Drive and West Saint Germaine in St Cloud, but they welcome as well as encourage members from ROCORI and surrounding communities to stop in and visit. This story features music and interviews from those who worked, visited, and performed at the event.

Sauk Rapids Memorial Day Ceremony

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The Sauk Rapids Marching Band and many others gathered in remembrance of their loved ones who have fallen in combat. It was a lovely day and many would gather and listen to some of the speaker and the veterans talk about their experiences and what this day means to them.

MAENNERCHOR Big Sing... Meet the Blandin Male Chorus

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The 2007 Associated Male Choruses of America Big Sing took place this past weekend. This story introduces the Blandin Male Chorus from Grand Rapids, Minnesota and represents their journey to the greater Sauk Rapids area as participants in the 2007 BIG SING held at St. John's University.  We first meet the chorus at their motel in St. Cloud and we get to see their preformance Friday night as a part of the Big Sing Adjudication where each of the choruses is judged and evaluated based on their performance of two songs.  Over 300 men and a total of 12 choruses participated in this event sponsored by the Cold Spring Area Maennerchor.

TO LEARN MORE...
BIG SING 2007... A Must See Event!
You're Invited... The 2007 BIG SING
MAENNERCHOR Christmas Dinner & Song Nights
Annual Maennerchor Pancake Breakfast
Cold Spring Area Maennerchor Website
Associated Male Chorues of America Website
 

Sauk Rapids Drumline 2007

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The 2007 Sauk Rapids/Rice Drumline season has come to a close.  This story features the students who made the entire season possible with their hard work, talent and dedication to the drumline.  You'll enjoy these spotlight moments from the past season.

The Legend of Skull Island

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The Sauk Rapids/Rice Marching Band is getting ready for their 2007 summer season.  Here's a great photo mosaic of recent appearances that begins to capture some of the excitement and pure fun that happens in the Storm Marching Band each year.  If this doesn't make you want to be a part of the band, at the very least you'll want to be a avid spectator.

Big Sing 2007... "A Must See!"

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Video story features footage from the 1988 Winnipeg International Big Sing

The Cold Spring Area Maennerchor marks its 70th anniversary with the planning of a BIG SING Concert.  The BIG SING is a joint concert among 12 male choruses - 350 male voices - from Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota, who come together to sing together.  This year the BIG SING will be held 7 pm Saturday, April 28, in St. John's Abbey on the campus of St. John's University."Click Here!" To Take A Tour Of The Abbey

Since 1981, the Cold Spring Area Maennerchor (Maennerchor means "Men's Chorus" in German) has been a member of the Associated Male Choruses of America (AMCA) which is a national organization of male choruses.  The Maennerchor is a part of the Upper Midwest District of the AMCA involving choirs from such places as Rochester, MN; Eau Claire, WI; Jamestown, ND; Grand Rapids, MN and many other cites. 

Maennerchor @ Melrose Christmas Concert Series 2002

Each year a different choir plays host to this weekend long event including a variety of activities for the choirs, their members and their wives. The culmination of the weekend is the joint "BIG SING" concert held Saturday night open to the public.  This will be the first time that the Cold Spring Area Maennerchor has sponsored this esteemed event and is honored to bring it to the people of central Minnesota.

The BIG SING concert includes many numbers by the massed choruses singing together and several solo numbers by select choirs.  A special attraction this year will include a selection sung by a festival choir comprised of a few members from each representative choir.  The grand finale of the evening will be the singing of the "Hallelujah Chorus" by F. Handel, accompanied by the magnificent St. John's Abbey pipe organ.

Maennerchor warming up to sing some German folksongs.

A few choice seats are still available for the concert.  Tickets are $20 each and can be ordered online at www.BIGSING2007.com .  You can also mail your check payable to the Cold Spring Maennerchor to:

Cold Spring Maennerchor
P.O. BOX 353
Cold Spring, MN  56320

We look forward to seeing you at the BIG SING concert!

TO LEARN MORE...
BIG SING 2007 ... You're Invited!
MAENNERCHOR Christmas Dinner & Song Nights
Annual Maennerchor Pancake Breakfast
Cold Spring Area Maennerchor Website
Associated Male Chorues of America Website

You're Invited... BIG SING 2007

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Video story features footage from the 1988 Winnipeg International Big Sing

The Cold Spring Area Maennerchor marks its 70th anniversary with the planning of a BIG SING Concert.  The BIG SING is a joint concert among 12 male choruses - 350 male voices - from Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota, who come together to sing together.  This year the BIG SING will be held 7 pm Saturday, April 28, in St. John's Abbey on the campus of St. John's University."Click Here!" To Take A Tour Of The Abbey

Early Years Maennerchor Members (click photo to enlarge)

Since 1981, the Cold Spring Area Maennerchor (Maennerchor means "Men's Chorus" in German) has been a member of the Associated Male Choruses of America (AMCA) which is a national organization of male choruses.  The Maennerchor is a part of the Upper Midwest District of the AMCA involving choirs from such places as Rochester, MN; Eau Claire, WI; Jamestown, ND; Grand Rapids, MN and many other cites. 

Maennerchor in German vests 1992 (click photo to enlarge)

Each year a different choir plays host to this weekend long event including a variety of activities for the choirs, their members and their wives.  The culmination of the weekend is the joint "BIG SING" concert held Saturday night open to the public.  This will be the first time that the Cold Spring Area Maennerchor has sponsored this esteemed event and is honored to bring it to the people of central Minnesota.

Maennerchor 1999 Marshall, MN BIG SING (click photo to enlarge)

The BIG SING concert includes many numbers by the massed choruses singing together and several solo numbers by select choirs.  A special attraction this year will include a selection sung by a festival choir comprised of a few members from each representative choir.  The grand finale of the evening will be the singing of the "Hallelujah Chorus" by F. Handel, accompanied by the magnificent St. John's Abbey pipe organ.

Cold Spring Maennerchor Christmas concert,  Melrose, MN  2002  (click photo to enlarge)

A few choice seats are still available for the concert.  Tickets are $20 each and can be ordered online at www.BIGSING2007.com .  You can also mail your check payable to the Cold Spring Maennerchor to:

Cold Spring Maennerchor
P.O. BOX 353
Cold Spring, MN  56320

We look forward to seeing you at the BIG SING concert!

TO LEARN MORE...
MAENNERCHOR Christmas Dinner & Song Nights
Annual Maennerchor Pancake Breakfast
Cold Spring Area Maennerchor Website
Associated Male Chorues of America Website

Sauk Rapids Drum Line

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The Sauk Rapids/Rice Drumline 2007 season is starting to wind down and in this performance the group is certainly showing some of their very best.  The group continues to improve their routine getting ready for the major competition they'll participate in at the end of the month.

Sauk Rapids Wind Ensemble

                                           

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Share Sauk Rapids/Rice Talent Show 2007

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Sauk Rapids/Rice High School recently had their annual Talent Show as a part of their Snow Daze celebration.  Check out all the great talent that performed during the show.

JAZZ AT YOUR DOOR STEP

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Sauk Rapids/Rice Jazz Bands Concert November 23rd, 2006, featuring guest musician Russ Peterson from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.  Band Director Scott Campbell leads both High School Jazz Bands in a very entertaining evening of music.

Awkward Silence (Local Rock Band)

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Sauk Rapids Band Competes in the Al's Music Garage Band Bash.

Sauk Rapids Band

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The Sauk Rapids High School Marching Band had a busy summer full of parades and special events. This story includes a performance in the Alexandria, MN parade of bands and also has highlights of their trip to the East coast.