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Master Class Program As part of our mission, the Fond du Lac Concert Association sponsors a variety of free educational and outreach programs to accompany the performances we bring to Fond du Lac. "We believe that opening young ears and minds to the rewards of the performing arts is part of our job." Our Masterclass program offers opportunities for talented music students to interact with visiting artists in school lecture-demonstrations. To these students we provide an invaluable resource that allows them to receive free instruction from the national and world-renowned masters themselves. The Fond du Lac Concert Association also bestows free student passes for each concert performance to "nine" Fond du Lac middle and high schools. These passes are given to each school’s music department which then distributes them to their most talented students. The cost of these educational and outreach projects is underwritten from the generous donations of subscribers, businesses and foundations. The Fond du Lac Concert Association sponsored a free Masterclass to the students of Fond du Lac High School on February 20, 2003 featuring the "Holland Wind Players." Holland Wind Players and the FdL Symphonic Band Several Fond du Lac Symphonic Band families opened their homes to musicians from Europe in February, 2003 as the Fond du Lac Concert Association hosted a performance by the internationally-acclaimed Holland Wind Players. When Fond du Lac Concert Association Board member/Band Manager Mary Arthur learned that the group would prefer to stay overnight in homes during their first-ever American tour, she immediately offered the band's services, knowing full-well that her musicians would enjoy meeting and greeting fellow musicians from abroad. The group arrived in Fond du Lac on February 20, 2003 in time for a master class at the high school, followed by supper at Mary's office building and the evening performance at the PAC. (The concert, incidentally, was masterfully done - we note that these musicians are the principal players from the major orchestras in the Netherlands.) Following the concert, host families and the visitors spent a lively couple hours getting acquainted at a local night spot, after which hosts took their guests home with them for the night. The next morning, guests were treated to home-cooked breakfasts or a restaurant meal. Some wanted time to practice; others were taken shopping or on a mini-tour. Hosts included Ray and Carla Wifler, Steve and Lynne Uecker, Jim Kelly, Steve and Robin Speidel, Dale and Nancee Shipe, and Bob and Patti Milanowski. It was evident when they regrouped at the high school for departure that the Holland musicians had endeared themselves to their Fond du Lac hosts, and the feeling was definitely mutual. In fact, we've already offered to "put them up" again when they return for another tour!
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