New bandstand gets a rousing start June 22, 2009 There were mellow tones as the Northernaires, a staple of northern Wisconsin’s dance halls a half century ago, took the stage at the renovated Antigo City Park bandstand Sunday afternoon.
The event was dedicated to the late Josef Bauschka, who drew hundreds and hundreds of Antigo High School students to the joys of music during his decades as director of the school’s music program.
And in the cast of the Northernaires, there were many of his students including his son, John Bauschka, who with his wife Mary spends summers at Pelican Lake. Bauschka, an accomplished musician, played the trumpet with the band and offered a few words of thanks on behalf of his family.
Bob Benishek, who led the Northernaires on their rounds of those dance halls, spoke glowingly of his friend and band leader, Bauschka, and even offered a tribute in verse and song to the strains of “Thanks For The Memories.”
And trombonist Ed Kennedy also recalled his years under Bauschka’s baton. He asked members of the exceptional crowd who ever played under Bauschka to stand, and a fair number did. Then, he asked for anyone who every heard a Bauschka band to stand, and a large contingent rose to their feet.
“I want us all to shout out ‘Bravo, JB,’ he said, and when everyone did, responded “I think he heard us.”
Benishek saluted members of the band, some from those good old days when they were on the road nearly all of the time, and a few new faces.
In addition to Benishek as bandleader and on trumpet, Kennedy and Bauschka the musician lineup included Bernie Urban, Joe Filbrandt, Dale Emerich and Bob Emerich, saxophones; Gene Mackey, trumpet; and Bill Williams, Joe Bretl and Doug Tomany, rhythm section.
“It was nice,” Benishek said, admitting that the rather humid conditions Sunday took a toll on the musicians. “The people enjoyed the music we played.”
Benishek also had a glowing review of the renovated bandstand.
“From a musician’s point of view, they did a great job,” he said.
Josef Bauschka came to Antigo as a dapper musician in January, 1929, at the still tender age of 26.
He took over a fledging music program and, over four decades, turned it into a powerful marching and musical force whose presence is still being felt today.
A consummate musician, Bauschka also performed with his students and former students in an 11-piece group called JB’s Continentals from 1944 through 1951 as well as innumerable gigs with other community and civic bands.
He retired from high school teaching in 1969 did little to quell his enthusiasm. He soon drew many of his former students and back to the stage, forming the Centennial Band to perform for the county’s 100th birthday in 1979. The group continues to play today as the Langlade County Community Band. Bauschka was saluted as the community’s Citizen of the Year for 1983 by the Antigo Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as a 1949 award from the community on the anniversary of his 20th year at the helm of the school music program.
He passed away on Sept. 16, 1990 at the age of 85. He had stopped performing and directing only a few years earlier.
The week-long bandstand dedication continues tonight with Jazz at the Bridge beginning at 7 p.m.
Tuesday will be a very big night with the Big Top Chautauqua Blue Canvas Orchestra, a crowd favorite that will likely draw many hundreds of people to the park.
The music will start at 6:30 p.m. but people should get to the park early for a 5 p.m. picnic featuring Salm Partners sausages, Optimist Club cheese curds, pie and ice cream.
Music will continue at 7 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday with a lineup that includes Of Chorus!, Slidin’ on Ice, the Pine Tones, the jazz group Chameleon and the Living Rivers Quartet.
Dedication Week festivities conclude Sunday with the Community Band playing at 3 p.m. on the performance stage named in honor of Jim Traut, who followed in Bauschka’s footsteps as AHS band director. A composition written by composer Nick Contorno entitled “JT’s Journey,” commissioned by Traut’s wife, Karen, will be performed.
For now, anyway, the forecast looks fairly promising for the outdoor concerts. But in case of rain, the show will go on in the multi-purpose building at the Langlade County Fairgrounds.
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