The Midian Shrine Band was formed in 1910, two years after the Midian Shrine was founded and was chartered in 1915. The band was renamed “The Midian Shrine Million Dollar Band” as a result of selling over a million dollars worth of war bonds during World War 1. The band started with 20 members and has had a membership as high as 80 members. Except for a short time the band has been performing continually since it was founded.
PURPOSE OF OUR UNIT
Participate in Midian Shrine functions, or other functions as the Potentate
and/or Unit Officers shall direct, especially to promote fun and good will to
crippled, burned, or handicapped children.
WHAT WE DO
Concert Band - The concert band is our primary band currently
consisting of about 30 member musicians.
Noble Lynn Moller has been director of the concert band since 2007.
This band plays a variety of music from overtures to popular show tunes and a
lot of Sousa Marches.
Parade Band - The parade band
currently uses a trailer for parades.
The band participates in 4 to 6 Shrine and local parades each year.
Noble Lynn Moller is Director and Unit Commander, phone: (316) 260-1807.
Noble Jack Fordham is Band Manager, phone: (316) 683-8483.
Noble Duane Draving is Secretary-Treasurer, phone: (316) 722-0634.
Here are historical pictures of the Concert Band
DanceKatz -
Another auxiliary group of the
Million Dollar Band consisting of 12 to 17 musicians. This band has been
playing together since 1987. Noble Bill Rohde, phone (316) 945-8742, is
the director of this dance band and they perform the “Big Band Sound” of dance
music. From 2003 to 2006 the DanceKatz held afternoon Tea Dances on the
second Sunday afternoon of many months from 2 until 5. Evening dances are now being held.
Check Midian Shrine news for dates.
Polkatz -
An auxiliary group of the Million
Dollar Band which consisting of 10 to 14 members and has been performing for the
last 29 years. The band has been under the supervision of Noble Steve Schmitter,
phone (316) 684-1526, First Clarinet player since 1987. This band performs
at many local nursing home facilities and at Octoberfest events. This band
plays Polkas, Waltzes, and March music.
DixieKatz -
Another auxiliary group of the
Million Dollar Band. This group consists of 7 to 10 members and was formed
by Noble Dick Cory in 1996. This band plays lively Dixieland music and has
performed with the Wichita symphony. Noble Andy Roberts is Director, phone (316)
722-5249.
JazzKatz - A newly formed
auxiliary group of the Million Dollar Band. This group consists of eight
members and was formed by Noble Iven Kelty, phone (316)
264-3485,
in 2004. This is a small ensemble that plays dance and jazz music.
These bands play a total of 25 to 30 performances each year including concerts, parades, Octoberfests, dances, Shrine Circus, Midian Shrine and other Masonic functions. They also attend and compete against other bands at the annual Imperial and CSSA Shrine conventions. All members are dues paying members of the Central States Shrine Band Association (CSSBA) and the Shrine Band Association of North America (SBANA).
The band makes donations to the Plane of Mercy fund, which is used to transport children to and from the Shriner’s Hospitals and Burns Institutes for crippled and burned children.
The primary goal of the band is to provide upbeat entertainment and to make sure our members have fun performing music.
“WE PLAY - so crippled children can”
NEWS
In July, 2004, the bands went to the Imperial Session Shrine Convention in Denver, Colorado and competed against bands from all over the United States. The newly formed JazzKatz achieved an Excellent rating and all other bands achieved a Superior rating at this convention.
Noble Iven Kelty, drummer, was featured in Larry Hatteberg's People on October 10, 2004. Video clip is included!
On April 19, 2006, the DanceKatz opened the Wichita Jazz Festival with a joint concert with WSU Jazz Arts II.
2007 Officers and Volunteers
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:| Musical Director: | Lynn Moller | Associate Director: | Bill Rohde | Manager: | Tom Anderson | Secretary / Treasurer: | Martin Geeding | Librarian: | Iven Kelty | Membership: | John Matrow | Quartermaster: | Jim Malia | Topics Writer: | Richard Milhon | Representatives: | Mark Lyles Roy Haun Dave Young |
| Assistant Quartermaster: | John McDaniel |
| Assistant Librarian: | Jack Fordham | Concert Band Representative: | Lynn Moller | Dance Band Representative: | Bill Rohde | Show Band Representative: | Bill Rohde | Dixie Band Representative: | Andy Roberts | Jazz Band Representative: | Iven Kelty | Polka Band Representative: | Steve Schmitter | Parade Band Representative: | Andy Roberts | Chili Feed Chairman: | Jack Fordham | Circus Chairman: | Bruce Rose | Transportation Representative: | Finace Taylor |
HOW TO JOIN
ASK for a Membership Petition from any member or contact the Unit Secretary.
Complete the Petition and turn it in to the Unit Secretary.
Undergo a brief personal interview, probably at your home, at your convenience.
Be voted in by the Unit Members.
INITIAL COST
Annual dues are $23 which includes Central States Shrine Band Association (CSSBA),
and Shrine Band Association of North America (SBANA)
dues.
Costume cost varies by individual band.
WHEN AND WHERE UNIT MEETINGS HELD
In general, the following rehearsal schedule is used. Contact us to confirm.
Rehearsals are at Midian.
We WELCOME guests....ESPECIALLY NEW NOBLES!
email: Midian Shrine Million Dollar Band
Photos Courtesy of Noble Duane Draving
THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN Midian Shrine Million Dollar Band
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Updated 01/14/07