Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester | Contemporary & Traditional Michigan German Polka Band

Josephine Bossenberger

FMBadmin2022 — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 17:22:37 +0000

Josephine is originally from metro Detroit, and studied music at Eastern Michigan & the University of Tennessee. Josephine has been teaching music for 14 years and currently lives and teaches in Midland, MI. Josephine started playing in the band because she needed to cross a bridge over the river Rhine to get to an Octoberfest party, but couldn’t pay the bridge troll’s toll. She offered to play him a tune on her piccolo as payment, but he absolutely hated her happy little song! He was so angry that he punished her by signing her up to play in a German polka band for the rest of eternity, and she’s been playing with the FMB ever since!

Andy Schmid

FMBadmin2022 — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 17:21:18 +0000

Andy Schmid is a retired band director currently living in East Lansing. He spent his career at LakeVille Schools in the Thumb where he grew the program from under 100 to over 460 students, consistently earning high ratings at district and state festivals. An “Air Force Brat”, Andy was born in Morocco and was fortunate enough to live in many different places growing up, his family finally settling in the Washington D.C, area. He attended Michigan State and enjoys living near campus with all the excitement and activities MSU offers. Andy is a busy adjudicator for band festivals judging from the Detroit area to the Keweenaw. He is a member of the Genesee Wind Symphony as well as a small trio – Second Time Around. He enjoys playing in the FMB as it is a group of great musicians and friends. “It’s so enjoyable playing in such a quality group, outstanding players who like to have a great time performing- Prost!!”

Sue Genau

FMBadmin2022 — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 17:20:02 +0000

I began playing the clarinet when I was 10 years old, and am still astonished to be playing now, 50 years later. Back when I was in 5th grade and learning how to play this instrument, I never imagined music would be such an integral and important part of my life. While I didn’t major in music while attending Central Michigan University, I did study privately and performed in CMU’s Marching Band and Wind Ensemble all four years, which were both incredible experiences and taught me so much. I still go back every year to march with the CMU Alumni Band to relive those fun college memories. These days, you can find me performing with the Midland Concert Band, a variety of pit orchestras, and of course, FMB. I was asked to fill in for a clarinetist who couldn’t make it to an FMB gig, so I immediately ordered my dirndle from Amazon (isn’t that where everyone gets their authentic German attire?!?), and prepared for the first performance. There’s nothing like sightreading pages of German music LIVE in front of an audience! That was all it took to hook me. I absolutely love the FMB gigs – how can you NOT have an absolute blast while playing fun polkas and waltzes while sipping the best beer available. I’m fortunate to be a part of the FMB family, and always look forward to our events. (I have since updated my costumes to be much more authentic dirndles!) Prost!

John Hawkins

FMBadmin2022 — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 17:15:01 +0000

From Kalamazoo, Michigan, John Hawkins graduated from Loy Norrix H.S., and then graduated from Alma College, in 1978, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Music, in Music Education. In 1983, John graduated from Central Michigan University with a Master of Music degree. Over the next 35 years, John conducted public school band and music programs, including concert, marching and jazz bands. 34 of those years were in West Branch, Michigan, where his bands were renowned for their exciting musical performances, regularly earning First Division ratings at district and state festivals. The Ogemaw Heights Band won top honors on tour, performing in Band Festivals at Virginia Beach, Busch Gardens, Nashville, Toronto, and Chicago “Music in the Parks Festivals.” The Ogemaw Heights Band performed at venues in New York City on five occasions. Mr. Hawkins was awarded “Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 9 Director of the Year” twice, and was selected as the East Shore Honors Youth Orchestra Conductor. Additionally, Mr. Hawkins conducted community groups such as the Gateway Community Band and the Bay City Concert Band. He continues to be active in music education as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor. Mr. Hawkins performs with the Froeliche Musiker Blasorchester, and other community groups. Other musical activities have included singer/song writing and performing, choral directing, guitar, and composition.

Carol Casale

FMBadmin2022 — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 17:13:29 +0000

I am from Saginaw, Michigan and I attended Arthur Hill High School (back when there was an AHHS). I have been a part of FMB since 2023 on both trombone and baritone. I have been playing trombone for over 40 years, and I taught myself how to play baritone a little over a year ago. It has been an amazing experience being part of such a fun group of musicians!

I have been a member of the Classic Legacy Band of Saginaw for 27 years and a member of the Mid Michigan Brass Band for 3 years. While I love being a part of these great groups, nothing compares to the interaction with the audience and the fun that we have in FMB. I really enjoy seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter from the people in the audience. My real job is working for the State of Michigan as a Department Technician/Scheduler for Unemployment Appeals. My FUN job is making music with FMB. Fun Fact? I can ride a unicycle but no, not while I am playing trombone or baritone.

Paul Marshall

FMBadmin2022 — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 17:12:24 +0000

As one of the Charter members of FMB I have to admit that I had never heard of a flugelhorn until joining the group. It’s been lots of fun playing with the group and interacting with the audience. Other groups I’ve played with include the Classic Legacy band, Saginaw area concert band, Mid Michigan brass band, Spartan marching band and MSU alumni band. One of my favorite gigs would have to be the DANK National convention cruise aboard the Princess Wenona in 2023. We left the dock in Bay City just before dusk and when we turned around in the Saginaw Bay was pitch dark.

Joan Dillard

FMBadmin2022 — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 17:10:07 +0000

I am one of the clarinet players in the FMB German Band. How could they get along without clarinets in the band? We add the spice. Originally from St. Clair Shores, Michigan, I now live in Essexville near Bay City with my husband Tom who is a retired elementary teacher. If we ever add bagpipes to our German band, he would be our guy!

I attended Central Michigan University, where I studied music and speech. Later, I added math to my resume from Saginaw Valley University. The basis of music is math, after all. After spending many years as a private lesson instructor at Herter Music Center, I taught band and general music for the Pinconning Area Schools.

My current musical endeavors include FMB (of course), the Bay Concert Band, occasionally churches, and playing for many of the local musicals put on in the Bay City area. I spend time between performances by visiting my 3 married children and their families. Travels take me most often to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Audiences always enjoy participating with FMB because we, the members, are having a good time playing for people. We are like a family, minus the family arguments.

Doug Schuller

FMBadmin2022 — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 17:07:50 +0000

Doug Schuller, flugelhorn and occasional vocalist, started playing music at the age of 4 in his first piano recital. Some say he still performs like a child. He played trumpet in the marching band during his university days, which did a lot to prepare his chops for long polka gigs. While he graduated with a degree in engineering, he feels blessed to hang out with so many talented musicians in FMB. In his circles, when asked to share something unique about himself, his usual answer is that he plays in a polka band.

Dave Deyarmond

FMBadmin2022 — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 17:05:38 +0000

The first dance I ever learned? Polka. The second? Waltz. By fourth grade, my music instructor looked me over, listened to my singing, and made a life-altering suggestion: “Well Dave, let’s be honest. Let’s hook you up with an instrument that hides your face and keeps you from singing. How about the trombone?” And just like that, a lifelong love affair with brass and Bavarian tunes was born.

Sixty years later, I’m still happily hiding behind the bell, playing polkas, waltzes, and marches. In high school, I marched all four years in the varsity band. At one class reunion, a former football jock joked about me being in the marching band. My response? “Well, I play the trombone much better now than I did at 17. Can you say that about your football skills?”

College brought new musical adventures—learning piano, playing in a concert band, and in 1972, marrying a professional cellist. The wedding band? None other than The Polka Twins. You can’t make that stuff up.

My wife and I later formed a six-member gospel singing group (they didn’t need my trombone skills), performing concerts across Michigan and Ohio for a decade, even doing a two-week tour through New York and Boston. Good times. Somewhere in the mix, I also taught myself guitar and did a few ‘60s gigs.

These days, you’ll find me playing trombone in concert bands in Bay City and Saginaw, as well as in community and high school musicals throughout Bay City, Saginaw, and Flint. But where do I find the most musical joy? Playing trombone with FMB all over the great state of Michigan! Funny… they still haven’t asked me to sing.

October 4th, 2025 – 2 Events (Same day)

FMBadmin2022 — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 15:01:03 +0000

Grass Lake Oktoberfest 2:30-4:30 PM

Dark Horse Brewery in Marshall MI 7-10 PM (same date)