News NORTHERN The 21-piece All-American College Band performs at the Disneyland Resort in California for eleven weeks each summer. Her days will include clinics/rehearsal each morning and daily performances, one of which is on stage in a big band/jazz format and the four remaining as a marching band show. “Pickford is one of five saxophonists from across the country selected to be part of this band,” saidDr. Alan LaFave, Dean of theNSU School of Fine Arts. “This is a tremendous honor and will be an amazing experience. We are very excited for her achievement.” An accomplished performer, Pickford sought the advice of former All-American College Band members, and NSU faculty, Grant Manhart and Fred Hemke. “They encouraged me to look into it, and when I found that an audition was being held in Chicago, I decided it was worth a try,” said Kelsey. She and her mother traveled to Northwestern University in early March for the audition. During her audition Kelsey had little time to “WOW” the adjudicator by showing her musical ability with three different styles of music. She also had to display proficient sight reading skills, and exhibit her marching and dancing abilities. She didn’t disappoint and showed her versatility and talent by playing small excerpts on the alto sax, tenor sax, flute and clarinet. Though she has been selected to play tenor sax with the group, Kelsey anticipates that she may get to flex her instrumental talents and play some clarinet and piccolo as well. “When I finished my audition, the judge seemed pretty excited! He took me into another room where I was able to meet Ron McCurdy who is the director of the band,” said Kelsey. “When I left Chicago I still didn’t know whether or not I had made it, and a few days later, the happiest moment of my life came when I got a call from Ron McCurdy offering me a summer job.” A clarinetist since the fifth grade, Kelsey came to NSU to major in music education with a woodwind emphasis. She is also the recipient of many scholarships including the Hatterscheidt Scholarship, Excellence in Music Scholarship and the President’s Meritorious Scholarship. She is active in Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Flute quartet, Saxophone quintet, Woodwind Quintet, Clarinet Choir and Jazz combo. She is also a member of MENC. The Disneyland All American College Band first came into existence in 1971. Since then, over 2500 members have passed through this program and moved on to many different distinguished careers in the music industry. Members of the Disneyland All American College Band spend five days a week performing in Disneyland, working on their music skills, going to workshops with leaders in the music industry. NSU SAXOPHONIST PLANS TO SPEND SUMMER PERFORMING AT THE “Happiest Place on Earth” 4 N O R T H E R N T O D A Y “This is a tremendous honor and will be an amazing experience.We are very excited for her achievement.” DR. ALAN LAFAVE, NSU SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS DEAN “When I left Chicago I still didn’t know whether or not I had made it, and a few days later, the happiest moment of my life came…” If you had the chance why wouldn’t want to spend your summer at the “Happiest Place on Earth” Northern State University junior Kelsey Pickford will get to do just that as a member of the 40th All-American College Band at Disneyland in California. Northern is a special place, one of those special campuses in the U.S. where learning and optimism come together to prepare for the future. I support Northern’s fund because I know each dollar will be optimized, and the benefits to students are of clear value. CORINNE AAKER CRAMER ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR, CLASS OF 1970 WE INVEST IN NSU STUDENTS FOR YOU. FOR US. FOR THOSE TO COME.
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