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The Big Rapids High School stage band shown above was carrying on a long stage band tradition started by band director Aldie Long.
Among the musicians shown above are, at top right, trombonists (left to right) Bob Huxol (sophomore, lead), Terry Palmer (sophomore, second), Billy Barnes (eighth grader, third), and Mary Farnsworth (senior, fourth).
In front of the trombones are (left to right), Glen Newton (sophomore, lead trumpet, doubling on electric guitar), Tony Wood (sophomore, second cornet), Tom Rundquist (senior, third trumpet), and Kurt Freiberg (eighth grader, fourth trumpet).
Junior Dick Gray plays the piano, sophomore John King plays string bass, and senior Ed Roberts is at the drum set. Although not in this picture, freshman Chuck Bowden played drum set on some songs.
The saxophonists are (left to right), junior Jim Braendle, baritone; junior Sandy Keen, tenor; eighth grader Willie Fickes and junior Karol Kraas, lead alto; junior Sue Bowden, tenor; senior JoAnne Donley, alto.
Seniors Gary Cota and Janice Dolio are the flutists.
As in prior years, the 1963 Band Follies had two parts. Part I was presented by the band and choir, and Part II, the longer part, was presented by the stage band and a variety of featured performers. The choir sang seven selections. The band's only selections in Part I were "The Footlifter", "Mozart Festival," "The Rosary," and "The Green Leaves of Summer." That left ample time during band rehearsals for the stage band and voccalists and dancers to rehearse on stage.
These songs were included (among others) in the 1963 Band Follies, which featured four large dance groups as well as dance and vocal solos and duos and The Balladaires:
