Jim Kinlaw
FM Golden Notes, founder
(1940-2021)
We mourn the loss of our friend and founder, Jim who passed away in November of 2021.

FM Golden Notes founder and ex-officio band manager. Jim has already retired from 3 careers; the U.S. Navy, Kmart and the VA.
Jim continues to keep busy with a part-time job. He is a popular figure at the Scheels store in Fargo where he can be seen as the operator of the Ferris Wheel in the midst of the store.

Jim was the original "band manager" who promoted the band in ALL matters of scheduling, making contacts and finding venues for us to perform as well as being the band's model for friendliness and good will.

"The band has been a highlight in my life along with my family and my church family. Life is rich!"

 

Peter Schiefelbein,
Director

Maestro Peter, the reverend Peter, commands our podium. 'Pete' brings with him a notable collection of personal knowledge and musical skills. Joining us in 2015, the Golden Notes band has made major strides under his direction.

Pete draws from an impressive depth of musical knowledge . He displays a Renaissance-like knowledge of many topics and is able to speak on these at the drop of a baton. His ready wit and sense of humour, is the perfect prescription for producing music and entertaining audiences. We have all developed in our musicianship under his direction..

Alexia Kieffer

Alexia has been with the band since its launch with Ed Christianson. She is an eager participant and is always willing to do any additional tasks that are needed to facilitate the band's operation.

She and her husband remain active in the business of farming. Alexia has spent most of her life as a farmer's wife. Along with regrowing her skills as a clarinet player, she also enjoys crafts and antique collecting.

Andrea 'Andi' Hansen

Andrea is a NDSU grad, who is now retired. She retired her trombone after high school and picked it up again forty years later. She grew up in Zeeland, North Dakota. She was for a while the sole trombone. Thankfully, reinforcements have started coming in.

She lives with husband Dale, one dog and two cats. Other interests include camping, fishing, reading, gardening and traveling. She participates in two half marathons a year. Musically, Andie has played handbells in church for more than 25 years.

Shannon Vanderford

Shannon brought a lot of musical experience with her when she joined our group in October 2013. She had just arrived from Memphis, Tennessee in September.

Shannon played flute in high school and college, and in her community concert band for the past 14 years.

She works as an elementary grades reading tutor in West Fargo. Shannon enjoys reading, gardening, bike riding, and spending time with her family

Owen Hamre

Owen joined Golden Notes in 2023 after hearing the band play at Bethany on 42nd. He grew up on the family farm near Watford City. He is a NDSU pharmacy graduate and sang in the NDSU concert choir. After college, he ran the family farm while working as a pharmacist. He has always been invoved in music. When he retired he moved to Fargo, and the Golden Notes provided a great opportunity to get involved in the community and play in a band.

Harold (Hal) Rosenheim

Hal joined the band in 2015 after visiting the band open house at Ekroth Music. In a few short months he was producing beautiful sounds with his rented Alto Saxophone. Hal shares, "The Golden Notes has provided an opportunity for fulfilling a long-standing desire to directly engage in musical performance."

Hal is retired as a Clinical Psychologist. Reading, stamp collecting, religious study, and gardening are some of his interests.

Jim Coomber

The Golden Notes enthusiastically welcomes Jim Coomber, who adds depth and experience to our trombone section.
Jim played trombone in band and orchestra in high school and college, as well as in a community band in his home town in Illinois.
In 1966 he joined the English faculty of Concordia College in Moorhead and retired in 2012.
Jim has authored several language arts textbooks as well as articles and books on regional history and culture.
Jim remains an adjunct faculty of NDSU, teaching an internet graduate course.
Jim and his wife Eleanor have two children and two grandchildren.

Dave Scott and Luke Sollie

The Golden Notes were extremely happy to welcome back their former director, Luke Sollie, who joined them with his horn at one of their 2015 summer concerts. Luke is a music graduate of Concordia College

As for Dave Scott he jokes "His wife was right! One should not have a picture taken after 65. Hopefully, Luke's cheerful, smiling face may distract the attention of viewers away from that ancient visage behind him." Dave started playing horn in 1940 but abandoned the instrument for 63 years! Until he found the F/M Golden Notes Band. And what a find that was! All he can say is, "Strike up the band!-- and come join the fun!"