Highlights of Over 80 Years of Music
On a farm near Gackle, ND
In 1929, Henry Sommerfeld, Myron Sommerfeld's father, started a danceband called The Red Jackets. It included brother Rhiemy, guitar, cousin Emmanuel Sommerfeld, accordion, and good friends Herman Wolf, drums, and Charles Wolf, banjo. By 1934 with the addition of uncle Jake Sommerfeld, and Lester Engebretson the name had changed to Henry Sommerfeld and his Cowboys.
One New Year's Eve, due to a North Dakota blizzard and fate, a Bismarck band canceled in Gackle, ND. The Sommerfeld family was called to fill in. An 11 year old Myron Sommerfeld was drafted to play guitar in his father's danceband.
By age 18, Myron took over his father's danceband in 1958, forming the Silver Star Orchestra. The members included his brother Harley, saxophone, father Henry, saxophone, mother Sarah, piano, cousin Don, trumpet, and Frank Schardin, accordion.
Myron's Sister, Myrna, replaced his mother on piano. One night Myrna was ill and her best friend, Jenneice, was asked to fill in. Jenneice was an experienced piano player, playing at both high school and church. She adapted to the chordal music in danceband settings and became the band's pianist.
Myron and Jenneice got married in 1963. They were so busy playing weekends they had to get married on a Tuesday night, June 25, 1963 in Gackle, ND. Jenneice worried no one would attend their wedding because most weddings were weekend events. The wedding was well attended. They honeymooned in Minnesota and met up with the band playing four nights in Minot.
In the 1960's, the band was largely comprised of college students and called Myron Sommerfeld and his Swinging Orchestra. Myron taught two years as the band instructor at Tappen, ND. Jenneice finished her teaching degree at Valley City State in Valley City, ND. Both of them achieved their Masters Degrees and taught their entire teaching careers at North Central School of Barnes. Myron taught music grades one-twelve. Jenneice taught 5th grade. They played Friday and Saturday nights in the danceband and sang in church on Sundays. It was busy and made possible by the love and support of family.
On June 30, 1965, Bonnie Sommerfeld, Myron and Jenneice Sommerfeld's daughter, was born. During the 1970's Myron Sommerfeld changed the instrumentation to an all brass band like the Tijuana Brass style of music so popular at this time. He named this band the Bon Bon Brass after his daughter by using the French words 'bon-bon' to depict good, sweet music.
Bonnie Sommerfeld began singing with the danceband at age 13. At age 19, she began to play flute and tenor saxophone in it as well. She graduated Summa Cum Laude earning a B.S. In Music Education Degree at Minnesota State University of Moorhead, MN with an emphasis in classical flute performance. She earned a two year scholarship to study jazz tenor saxophone and improvisation at Berklee College of Music under the Chair of the Woodwind Department, William Pierce. Bonnie developed a severe spinal injury from the years of the heavy weight of the tenor saxophone on her neck and shoulders. This led to an extensive, inspirational, phoenix-like rising up from the ashes recovery into solo scat singing.
In the 1980's, Myron Sommerfeld rearranged his danceband into a small Big Band called the Myron Sommerfeld and the Music of the Stars Orchestra. It combined his true love of Big Band Music while also including danceband favorites. Myron hand wrote and created every music arrangement in the entire history of his leading a danceband organization. His ability to arrange and write for each of his musicians was a true gift and proved to be timeless. Bonnie often remembers hearing her father tinkling an arrangement on the piano through the heat vents as she drifted off to sleep at night.
The Sommerfeld Orchestra has performed throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Montana, Arizona, and Canada in every venue once could imagine, including fire stations, fairgrounds, churches, bars, ballrooms, service clubs, Air Force bases, weddings, anniversaries, reunions, conventions, radio, and TV. They performed at three North Dakota Inaugural Governor's Balls for Gov. Bill Guy, Gov. Art Link, and Gov. George Sinner. They performed on two South American cruise ships, once in 1997 and the other in 1998. Utilizing Myron Sommerfeld's arrangements, both Bonnie and Myron Sommerfeld made guest appearances at Germany in 1985 with the 1st Armored Division Band directed by CW3 Robert Wahlund. They have recorded three LP's and three CD's.
In the 1990's, Myron Sommerfeld relocated his Music of the Stars Orchestra to Arizona for six months each year. He and his orchestra have enjoyed over a 20 year career playing the resorts of Arizona.
There have been many members in the Sommerfeld Orchestra. Steve Sebelius, the ND bass player, has been with the band for well over 40 years. Former member, Grover Peterson wrote Myron on his 40th year of leading the orchestra saying, “I can not remember a single thing that could not be told to your wife, children, parents, or GOD. For me, that goes way beyond the contribution you have made to the music world. You have gifted us with your music, but you have blessed us eternally with your life.”
In 1992 Myron Sommerfeld's orchestra was voted “The Outstanding Band” by the National Ballroom and Entertainment Association. Also, his composition “Stepping Out,” lyrics written by Bonnie Sommerfeld, was chosen as the theme song for National Ballroom Dance Week.
Having received prominence in his chosen field and national and international recognition, Myron Sommerfeld received the Valley City State University's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007.
On September 27, 2014, Myron Sommerfeld received the Valley City State University Music Hall of Fame Award.