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Instrument: Double bass/string bass/upright bass/acoustic bass.
City of residence: Madison.
Occupation: Architect.
Family: Wife, Sandy; daughters, Kim and Sheree; grandchildren, Justin, Josh and Heather.
How long in the group: About 15 years as of the 2003-04 season.
Music background: Sang SPEBSQSA (barbershop) in high school; sang with Cincinnati May Festival Chorus in college; from 1969 to present: sing with Philharmonic Chorus of Madison; from 1972 to present: sing at annual Tudor Dinners at Wisconsin Union; from 1973 to present: sing with Madison Diocesan Choir; from 1978-93: sang with barbershop quartet which performed in "The Music Man" at Oscar Mayer Theatre; from 1980-84 learned to play bass and took lessons from Vera Olson, principal bassist with MSO, then took jazz bass lessons for two years; from 1985 to 1989 played with small church group of piano, bass, flute, guitar, vocals; from 1989 to present: Studio Orchestra; from 1992 to present: sing with Madison Chamber Choir.
How you came to DISSO: I joined when Lonnie was teaching at Van Hise Middle School and my wife, Sandy, was secretary there. Both recruited me.
My other fun activities: Genealogy, traveling, gardening, "grandchildrening."
What I like about Studio Orchestra: The group really can play in tune and in rhythm when they put their minds to it. I like the unpressurized atmosphere and the pace of rehearsals and concerts. Also, I have no other musical activity on Wednesdays.
Something I’d change about the world: There would be peace and musical harmony with everyone playing an instrument or singing. Sounds too much like heaven!
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Brooks Brenneis (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument:  Clarinet.
City of residence:  Madison.
Occupation:  Psychologist.
Family members:  Wife, Ginger; children, Michael and wife Leah Nell (my entry to the orchestra), David, Sara (another student of Lonnie's), plus grandchildren Willa and Sebastian Zane Adams Brenneis.
How long in the group:  Forever?  Not quite 25 years, as best I can remember.
Musical background: I played in high school and in the Carnegie Tech (college) Kiltie band for a year. We did indeed wear kilts.
How you came to join DISSO:  Heard about the group through son Michael, who was in Lonnie's band in middle school.
Other things you do for fun:  Play indoor badminton, exercise, travel, read and write.
What you like about the group:  Lonnie's devoted and low-key leadership, and his patience with musicians who don't always remember the key signature; playing for people who otherwise wouldn't have a chance to hear live music (I wished we could have played for my mother, who lived in Florida and who encouraged my musical efforts, but I consoled myself that we were playing for other people's mothers and fathers); the great folks I've met in the group; and some, but not all, of the music we play.
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Instrument: French horn. 
City of residence: Prairie du Sac. 
Occupation: Engineering consultant. 
Family members: Paula (wife). 
How long in the group: 23 years. 
Musical background: Played from the age of 11 through 18 in school. 
How you came to join DISSO: Another member, Ron Daggett, asked me to come to rehearsals. 
Other things you do for fun: Community conservation activities, local history, bicycling, sailing. 
What you like about the group: The friendly, informal and lighthearted atmosphere. 
Something you'd change if you could: Change practice facilities to the Overture Center.
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Jean Chitwood (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Violin.
Place of residence: Gotham.
Occupation: Retired.
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season, two years.
Musical background: Since third grade; violin more recently.
How you came to join DISSO: Looking for somebody to play with!
Other things you do for fun: Nothing. I have a very boring life.
What you like about the group: They’re funny.
Something you'd change if you could: It would be nice if everything worked right for Lefties.
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Dianne Cooke (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Viola.
Place of residence: Madison.
Occupation: That’s my little secret.
Family: Husband and son.
How long in the group: Four years, as of the 2003-4 season.
Musical background: I've played since I was 9 years old. I played with school groups and our town's youth symphony and with the college orchestra. I'm looking for a quartet, if any quartet is looking for a violist.
How you came to join DISSO: I was recruited by Ann Weber (Tenor Sax with Dimensions in Sound, and President of the Organization's Board)
Other things you do for fun: I like staying up really late, baking bread and listening to the Bach cello suites. I want to live on coffee, but I have a weakness for food.
What you like about the group: They're a wild bunch of dear friends. I wouldn't do without them.
Something you'd change if you could: About the group? I wish sections would rehearse independently, maybe just for 10-15 minutes during our regular rehearsals. I'd like to play some Beethoven. It would be fun to play with a soloist, if one of us could do just one movement from a concerto, for example.
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Instrument: Tenor sax. 
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season, 11 years, orchestra; 5 years, band.
What you like about the group: The family atmosphere of our orchestra rehearsals and concerts adds to the enjoyment of playing music. For Dimensions, it’s the friendly people and learning and performing music from the "Big Band" era.
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Bill Drew (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Trumpet. 
Place of residence: Waunakee/Westport
Occupation: VP Marketing Services, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board; do advertising and promotion for Wisconsin cheese nationally.
Family: Madeline, plus three children: Steve, Jim and Susan.
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season, roughly 6 years.
Musical background: Started lessons after 6th grade at DeWitt, Iowa, public school. Played at University of Iowa band camps for two summers, with private lessons from William Gower, author of several training books on trumpet. Played in All-State band in Iowa. Attended Grinnell College in Iowa and played in pep band, orchestra, Collegium Musicum and a jazz band formed by a guy named Herbie Hancock.
How you came to join DISSO: Hadn't played for over 20 years. Saw an ad in Middleton Cleaners and showed up for practice after calling Lonnie Nofzinger, orchestra director.
Other things you do for fun: Jog, sail, teach English as a second language (volunteer).
What you like about the group: It’s just fun to play. Best when we play songs I played 40 years ago.
Something you'd change if you could: Be able to tongue faster.
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Bill Dunn (Dimensions in Sound & The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Cleveland slide trombone, paid $75 for it used in about 1982, not in Cleveland but in Madison, South Dakota.
Place of residence: Middleton.
Occupation: Capital Times writer and copy editor.
Family: Daughters Kaitlin, 19, UW-Madison freshman; Jamie, 16, MHS sophomore; 3 cats, Figaro, Dinah, Tigger; horse, Malachi IV.
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season, about 7 years in orchestra, somewhat less in Dimensions.
Musical background: Started in 7th grade in Plankinton, S.D. (school song "Minnesota Rouser"), played through high school, sold my trusty battered horn for $5 to the secondhand store, took a 15-year break before starting up again with various community slash ragtag groups.
How you came to join DISSO: In a 1989 Dodge Caravan minivan with a badly slipping transmission.
Other things you do for fun: Listen to live and canned music, dance (given the proper liquid stimulus), play tennis and Frisbee, read, movies, entertain my kids or let them entertain me.
What you like about the group: What's not to like? It keeps music alive.
Something you'd change if you could: I'd want Lonnie (Nofzinger) and me to be in our 20s again, but knowing what we know now.
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Gay Eliason (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: French horn.
Place of residence: Madison.
Occupation: Math teacher.
Family: Two adult children and their spouses and two grandchildren.
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season: 24 years.
Musical background: I started in sixth grade. I played in the Brookwood High band and at the UW for four years. I played with the municipal band for one year.
How you came to join DISSO: Lonnie asked parents of eighth graders to come play with them at Van Hise. He mentioned The Studio Orchestra.
Other things you do for fun: I love flower gardening, tennis, golf, baking, teaching math (I love my job) and playing with my grandchildren.
What you like about the group: I love the people in the orchestra, the variety of music we play and the chance to give to the community via our concerts.
Something you'd change if you could: I wish nations everywhere would put their military money toward helping the poor people in their countries.
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Debby Gee (The Studio Orchestra)
 
Instrument: Flute.
City of residence: Town of Dunn.
Occupation: Homemaker/R.N.
Family members: Bruce, husband; Colin, 22, Jeremy, Robin, 10.
How long in the group: Second year.
Musical background: I started playing flute when I was 12 and played through my first year in college in school band and orchestra, youth symphony, woodwind quintet and college wind orchestra and ensembles. Then I stopped playing for a number of years and started again about five years ago.
How you came to join DISSO:  I was invited to come play by two ladies I know at my church, Joyce Schneider and Shirley Yahr (cello section).
Other things you do for fun: Hiking, skiing, gardening and reading.
What you like about the group: Lots of nice people who love music. I like the balance of reading music and performing concerts. I like the studio approach with the variety of music.
Something you'd change if you could:  My seat in front of the trumpets? (Just kidding.) I'd like to perform more classical pieces.
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Bob Gurda (Dimensions in Sound)

Instrument: Trumpet.
Place of residence: Madison.
Occupation: Cartographer/editor with State Cartographer's Office.
Family: My wife is a professor at UW-Madison.
How long in the group: First from about 1980 to 1983, then about 1986 to the present (2003-04 season).
Musical background: Piano (age 8-14); Madison Boys Choir (10-12); cornet/trumpet age 12-18); taught myself to play banjo and classical guitar; tuned/repaired pianos 1977-1983.
How you came to join DISSO: Lonnie contacted my former high school band director (whose piano I had tuned) who contacted me. I hadn't touched the horn in 14 years.
Other things you do for fun: Puzzles, gardening, fly fishing, photography.
What you like about the group: We're fairly serious but have fun too; we don't play during the gardening and fishing season.
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Mike Honeck (Dimensions in Sound)

Instrument: Alto sax & Board VP.
Place of residence: Madison.
Occupation: State insurance regulator.
Family: Wife, Sally, and son, Tim.
How long in the group: 21 years.
Musical background: When I was 8 years old, my parents bought me an accordion. I took lessons and played until I started high school, where I switched to saxophone after learning accordions were not allowed in the band. I continued to play saxophone with the University of Wisconsin marching band and the UW concert band while attending school in Madison. I still play with the UW alumni band each year and find running out of the Camp Randall Stadium tunnel the greatest thrill ever.
How you came to join DISSO: A neighbor who played trumpet with the group talked me into showing up at one of Lonnie's practices. I hadn't played my horn regularly in many years, but he assured me that I would have fun. I have found the music challenging, playing for seniors rewarding, the other musicians talented and oh yeah, the experience has been a lot of fun!
Other things you do for fun: I enjoy photography, traveling around the country and above all, following the exploits of the Badgers football, basketball and hockey teams.
What you like about the group: The other musicians are fun to be with, the reception we get at the places we play is always gratifying and knowing that music will always be part of my life.
Something you'd change if you could: The copyright laws so it would be legal to share music on the Internet. "Pirating" is such an offensive word.
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John Jaeschke  (The Studio Orchestra)
(pronounced jess-key).

Instrument: Alto saxophone.
Place of residence: Town of Middleton.
Occupation: Science Consulting LLC. Past employment: Science educator, AV director, author, guest speaker.
Family: Wife, Karen, medical technologist; son, Jeff, computer R&D consultant, and his wife, Beth, and their two children; son, Steve, property manager for a major corporation.
How long in the group: 10-plus years as of the 2003-04 season.
Musical background: Piano, Wis. School of Music, Madison; alto sax/baritone sax, West Junior High/West Senior High marching and concert bands; alto sax, UW marching band, four years and two Rose Bowls.
How you came to join DISSO: Invitation by conductor.
Other things you do for fun: Photography, 16mm and 35 mm; Madison Audubon and Wisconsin Audubon Society; Eagle Scout, BSA, 54 years continuous membership.
What you like about the group: It’s a fine, accepting group. Thanks to “you,” I’ve learned to enjoy playing (not feeling rushed), program preparation and performance.
Something you'd change if you could: I’d like our conductor to have an unlimited budget from which to purchase newly released music. He has been wonderfully creative and deserves to regularly acquire scores without budgetary constraints.
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Bob Kauffman (Dimensions in Sound & The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Trumpet.
Born: 12-29-32. 
Place of residence: Since 1966, Madison. Hometown, Princeton, Mo.
Occupation: Emeritus professor of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Family: Wife, Phyllis Ann (retired dietitian  and librarian), daughter Rebecca (and husband Richard Henly), daughter Ellen Campbell and grandchildren Alexander (8) and Ian (6).
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season, about 10 years in DIS and about 15 years in SO.
Musical background: Started in 5th grade, age 10, and have been playing most of my life since then, 61 years in total now. Played in high school band, organized my own dance band in high school (learned to play by ear because our "elderly" piano player didn't read music), played in hometown German band with the four Holmes brothers and other who needed a trumpet player; Iowa  State U. concert band, marching band, pep bands and symphony orchestra; Elks band in Urbana, Ill.; Dutch symphonic band in The Netherlands (1985-86); Madison First United Methodist Church brass ensemble; a local polka band I helped my daughter organize in 1975; special music groups needing trumpet parts, and of course, DIS and SO.
How you came to join DISSO: Ron Daggett, a friend and member (violin) of SO asked me to join. After a few years in SO, Nancy Boyle (trumpet) encouraged me to join DIS.
Other things you do for fun: Exercise at natatorium, remain semi-active in a few professional activities, help manage a family farm in north Missouri (crops, beef cow-calf production), travel some, get involved with family and friend activities, sit in on courses at the UW (U.S. history, history of science, African studies, Russian history), compose written material about my views of life in  general, attend sports events, read ( I have become interested in the writings of Len Deighton), First United Methodist Church activities.
What you like about the group: Friendship, and with others interested in attempting to make good music, considering the circumstances. If someone makes a mistake, which often includes me, we simply try to do better and don't judge others. The DIS and SO are excellent activities to help those in nursing and retirement homes to enjoy music too by us bringing the music to them.
Something you'd change if you could: Be a better basketballer than Michael Jordan and a better trumpeter than Wynton Marsalis!
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Ruth Ann Loew (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Violin.
Place of residence: Madison.
Occupation: Wife, retired occupational therapist.
Family: Husband, Jack, recovering from heart attack; son, Bob; daughter, Chris; three grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season, 29-30 years.
Musical background: Started third or fourth grade, Milwaukee public school; took lessons in Madison for many years and belonged to the Wis. Federation of Music.
How you came to join DISSO: Friends in the music world knew about the orchestra, so I thought I’d try it. I did and stayed.
Other things you do for fun: We used to race sailboats on Lake Mendota, no more. Now we watch races from the power boat or judge’s boat. In winter we curl. Madison has the second largest club in the U.S. We old folks use a stick to deliver the 42-pound rock.
Something you'd change if you could: Help everyone to smile more. Be a friend to all!
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Leonard R. Massie (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Clarinet.
Place of residence: Madison.
Occupation: Emeritus professor of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Family: Marianne, wife.
How long in the group: I don't know for sure, about 15 years, as of the 2003-04 season.
Musical background: I played in high school. I started playing again when our kids were playing in Robert Kauffman's polka band. I also play with Zor Shrine Concert Band doing parades and the circus.
How you came to join DISSO: Robert Kauffman asked me to come. After what I thought was a disastrous practice, Lonnie (Nofzinger) said I could come back.
Other things you do for fun: Softball (playing and umpiring), woodworking, deer hunting up north with family.
What you like about the group: Very friendly. Don't read me out for my mistakes.
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Instrument: Tenor Sax Place of residence: Fitchburg
Occupation: Jane of Many Trades Family: Husband Dan, four cats 
How long in the group: Brand spankin’ new. The 2004-05 season is my first. 
Musical background: I’ve been playing some form of music for about 22 years, started with piano, picked up clarinet and then saxophone through the school system. Eventually came to teach myself French horn, tuba, xylophone, and bass guitar out of necessity to fill out some of the musical groups I was in at school, and a few other instruments just for kicks. I have had the opportunity to play for a few Tubachristmases. I played in the Abilene, KS community band for 6 years, was the youngest member ever admitted, and had the honor of performing for Billy Graham, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. I also performed in many statewide groups during high school and college. Since moving to Wisconsin 8 years ago, I have explored the other side of bands, rock bands, and have learned much from that experience also. 
How you came to join DISSO: I read an ad in the paper, and I missed playing in orchestra settings, so I called. 
Other things you do for fun: I like to read, and study life around me. I like to explore nature, and I’m an amateur photographer. 
What you like about the group: This is a nice, friendly group of people. 
Something you'd change if you could: I'd like to make the military unnecessary. I think that having to train people to fight and kill strangers is a greater loss than war itself ... and that by having a military force, you invite aggression. I’d like to see peace.

Betty McCarty (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Violin
City of residence: Madison.
Occupation: Homemaker, volunteer, retired middle school teacher.
Family members: Husband, Don; kids, Mary Louise, Jim, Kevin and Maureen; five grandkids, Emma, Molly, Patrick, Liam and Patrick.
How long in the group: Since it started in the '70s. We were first a string group.
Musical background: Started in fifth grade, played through high school and in a quartet my first year in college. Played very little until I joined this orchestra. Then I took lessons for 10 or 12 years and played two years in a church quartet.
How you came to join DISSO: Lonnie called me. Maureen told him her mama played the violin.
Other things you do for fun: Play bridge, quilt, tai chi, read, walk, travel (elder hostels), spend time with family and friends.
What you like about the group: I love playing in the orchestra and enjoy friendships I've made.
Something you'd change: Spend more time and effort working toward peace instead of playing war games. Also more support of the arts in schools.
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Instrument: Trombone, Webmaster, and Board Member.
Place of residence: Town of Middleton
Occupation: Principal - Business Systems Analysis with Sabre Holdings, Southlake TX, a travel distribution services company. Started with American Airlines at JFK Airport in NY in 1979, and ended up in a department that was ultimately spun off as Sabre.
Family members: Wife: Fran; 2 cats, Sammy and Sophie 10 yrs old; 1 Welsh Corgi months old named Sadie 1 1/2 years old.
How long in the group: 2004-05 is my 5th season with both Dimensions in Sound and the Studio Orchestra.
Musical background: Began playing in the 5th grade on Long Island, NY. Chose the Trombone after watching a a Trombone player appear on the Merv Griffin show and I thought it sounded pretty cool. Played throughout junior high and high school in Concert Band, Stage Band, Orchestra, Marching Band and student musicals. Continued during my brief college career playing in Symphonic and Pep Bands. Moved to Baltimore in 1983 and joined the Baltimore Colts (NFL) marching band. Allows me to claim that I actually "played" in NFL games. The Colts left Baltimore for Indianapolis after my first year with the group, but they never formally attributed the move to my playing ability. I played with a community band and orchestra for about 10 years after moving to the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex. 
How you came to join DISSO: Saw a flyer posted at Middleton Cleaners' bulletin board. Called Lonnie Nofzinger who immediately invited me to sit in "cold" for the Studio Orchestra's final 1999-2000 performance at Waunakee Manor.
Other things you do for fun: I am literally addicted to Sports Talk Radio, specifically a station in Dallas which I continue to listen to via the miracle of the internet.
What you like about the group: They don't give me too hard a time when I espouse the greatness of the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars, and the New York Mets.
Something you'd change if you could: Reinstate American Eagle's non-stop flights between Madison and Dallas Ft. Worth.
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Sarah Naughton. (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Violin.
City of residence: Madison.
Occupation: Educator.
Community members: Win Morgan and Maggie Hopkins, Dominican Sisters in my current community home.
How long in the group: Four weeks.
Musical background: Started at age 10 in grade school; ages 18-20, at Sinsinawa, lessons and ensemble rehearsals and performances; ages 39-48, at Sinsinawa, lessons and rehearsals with Sinsinawa Strings; age 48, brain surgery; 49-present, lessons with Nancy Dunn Kurr, Edgewood College String Ensemble ('95-'00), Giocoso Studio recitals ('95-'03).
How you came to join DISSO: Brooks Brenneis gave me Lonnie's name and number.
Other things you do for fun: Walk regularly for health and fun, travel, visit family and friends all over the world.
What you like about the group: People know and enjoy each other, and the music we make together.
Something you'd change if you could: Turn all the swords and guns into plows and food for the people of our world.
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Ruth Niendorf (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Flute.
Place of residence: Madison.
Occupation: Home engineer.
Family: Husband Ron; daughter Sheryl, son-in-law Brian, grandchildren Hannah, Abbie, Tucker; son Chris; daughter Maria.
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season, around 20 years.
Musical background: Started playing violin in fifth grade and played through 12^th grade; started flute in eighth grade and played through 12^th grade. When I joined the Studio Orchestra, I hadn't played the flute for 21years.
How you came to join DISSO: I saw an article in the Van Hise Middle School newsletter about the band and orchestra and it said that new members were welcome. I took a deep breath and decided to give it a try.
Other things you do for fun: Traveling with my now retired husband, babysitting our grandchildren, decorating our new house, counted cross-stitch, sewing.
What you like about the group: I enjoy playing most of the music we play. The group has a good cross-section of players, with some very good musicians to the average musician. There has been good camaraderie in the group. Playing concerts at nursing homes is a very satisfying thing to do. If I didn't enjoy playing in the orchestra, I would have dropped out long ago.
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Mary Severson (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Viola & Board Member
Place of residence: Stoughton.
Occupation:  Staff member at the UW Synchrotron Radiation Center.
Family members: Husband, Jim; Laura, 11; and David, 7.
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season, about 15 years.
Musical background: Started orchestra in fourth grade in Dodgeville and have played ever since.
How you came to join DISSO: I was looking for a group to play in after moving to Madison for my first job and my mother-in-law knew Ron Daggett who belonged to a group. Ron gave her Lonnie's number and I called and joined.
Other things you do for fun: Read, knit, 4-H leader.
What you like about the group: I love the people in the group and being able to play in such a fun environment.
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Joyce Schneider (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Cello

City of residence: Madison.
Occupation: Slavic instructor, UW Extension.
Family members: Husband, Ed.
How long in the group: Almost from the beginning.
Musical background: I started cello in grade school through the Milwaukee public school system. I played through high school and college and off and on since then.
How you came to join DISSO: Lonnie notified parents of Van Hise Middle School children.
Other things you do for fun: Sing in several local choirs, visit state, county and national parks, walk dogs, read.
What you like about the group: Lonnie, the other players, listening to the back row (they're great!) and "Let It Snow."
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Paulette Sharkey (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument:  Cello.
Place of residence:  Madison.
Occupation:  Editor.
Family members:  Husband, Tom, UW-Madison professor of botany; daughter, Jessa, sophomore at UW-Madison.
How long in the group:  I joined in September 2003.
Musical background:  I've played piano since age 7; started cello lessons three years ago and was in the Four Lakes String Ensemble (through Ward-Brodt music store) before joining the Studio Orchestra.
How you came to join DISSO:  Responded to an ad in Isthmus.
Other things you do for fun:  Attending concerts and plays, gardening.
What you like about the group:  The friendly, supportive atmosphere makes it possible for a beginner like me to have the fun of being in an orchestra.
Something you'd change if you could:  I would have started playing the cello before middle age!
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Ann Weber (Dimensions in Sound)

Instrument: Tenor and alto sax. & Board President
Place of residence: Madison.
Occupation: Customer service.
Family: Three grown children, Stephen, Cherly and Bryan, all of whom had Lonnie for their band director at Van Hise Middle School; three grandchildren, Jarrad, Damion and Jeran; two cats.
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season, 27 years. I’m the last remaining original member of Dimensions.
Musical background: Started playing alto sax in fifth grade in Evansville, Wis.; played through high school and then in the UW-Whitewater marching band; played alto until about five years ago when I moved to tenor; also play in Swing 7, a small swing band, and sub with other bands.
How you came to join DISSO: I played in the 1977 Hill Farms July 4th marching band and was asked about interest in playing in a group in the fall. That fall Lonnie began a big band group that became Dimensions in Sound, and I've been a part of it ever since. I played in The Studio Orchestra for its first two years until family obligations required scaling back to just Dimensions. When Lonnie retired from teaching in 1991 and formed an official nonprofit organization, I became on officer on the board of directors.  Since 1996 I have been president and continue to do the grant writing, scheduling and other duties for the organization.
Other things you do for fun: Spending time with family; playing volleyball on a "seniors" team; following UW sports and the Packers; playing bridge and reading.
What you like about the group: The missions of the organization; giving musicians an opportunity to enjoy playing together; providing great entertainment to seniors and others at various kinds of sites; and helping keep big band and orchestral music "alive" for generations to come. 
Something you'd change if you could: I'd bring back the bands and the dances of the ’30s and ’40s that my mom always talks about, when all ages from teens on could go to dances any day of the week. They were great places to meet people, dance to great music and have a lot of fun! And that we baby boomers could go on forever!
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Connie Wiegeshaus (The Studio Orchestra)

Instrument: Violin.
Place of residence:  Madison
Occupation: Retired.
Family: Ernst, spouse.
How long in the group: As of the 2003-04 season, 1 year.
Musical background: Began violin when I turned 50; play in Ward Brodt string group; piano since childhood; started viola last summer to play in a quartet with friends.
How you came to join DISSO: Met Mary Blabaum at a mutual friend's wedding and learned about DISSO.
Other things you do for fun: Travel, fly fishing.
What you like about the group: Upbeat, jovial attitude.
Something you'd change if you could: Transpose the whole world to alto clef..
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