Diane Bergholtz is a good friend of the Dalpra family having met them through her late son, Marty who was a bartender at the Italian Fisherman for many years. She was always surrounded by music in her life. Both of Diane's parents played instruments. Her mother played piano and her father enjoyed playing fiddle and accordion. The family always had a piano in their home and she began taking lessons as a young child.
She grew up in Little Valley NY. At some point in her school's history there was no band director. The summer after Diane completed the 4th grade a gentleman was hired and he began giving lessons to everyone having signed up to learn an instrument. She began on a silver, metal Bb clarinet. Everyone was in the senior band so from the 5th grade until she graduated, band was part of her daily life. As the school purchased more instruments, she was assigned to play the Eb alto clarinet. She played that clarinet until she returned to playing the Bb clarinet. Her school was small though they had excellent instructors and reached the goal of achieving a 6A rating in competition each year. The band played music by excellent composers allowing Diane to appreciate and learn a great deal about music history.
While in high school Diane was chosen to attend many All County conferences and even 2 State conferences playing under the direction of some well-known college conductors. It gave her the chance to meet students from other schools with similar interests therefore developing many friendships. Through the years Diane also learned to play several other instruments such as the baritone saxophone, bassoon, french horn and percussion. She also played in the dance band that was formed at her school.
Diane played during her college years, but it wasn't until Chautauqua Central School put on their one and only musical, Oklahoma that allowed her to return to playing. Eventually, she joined the Jamestown Municipal Band and still plays with that group of talented musicans at the summer concerts in Allen Park.
Another music related opportunity that extended into Diane's adult life was when the Windjammers Inc., a group dedicated to keeping circus music alive, came to Jamestown and presented a concert on the floating stage. At that point, Diane knew that she wanted to join them and find other places to play.
Diane is a member of the Regional Membership Coordinator for New York State Association of Concert Bands. This group has members from the United States and assemble once a year at various venues to hear some of the best community bands in the area comprised of 100-120 participants. The conductor is usually a well-known conductor or a retired military person. There are also 8-12 other bands chosen through audition tapes that perform so one hears the .. best of the best! The conference is a week of hearing fine music, learning new information from those organizing clinics and a wonderful way to socialize among fellow musicians. Diane also plays at a weekend musical in Williamsport, PA each year. Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel, retired USAF is our outstanding conductor. The Colonel was the Commander and Conductor from the United States Air Force Band, United States Air Force Symphony Orchestra and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985. In 1990, he was named the first Conductor Emeritus of the USAF Band and the 29th DIV Band of the Virginia Army National Guard. He was inducted into the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors, becoming the youngest person ever to have received this honor. Colonel Gabriel was born May 31, 1925 in Cortland, NY.
There are many places to play now and one just has to pick and choose where they might want to go .. Colorado, Las Vegas or where a meet is being held. Among Diane's other opportunities to play each summer is with the New Horizons Band at the State University of New York, SUNY Fredonia.
Diane lived in Bemus Point from 1990 until last Fall and had the privilege of working in three of the restaurants as a hostess and as a waitress. Because of her interest in music she was delighted when innovative and creative musicans, with the idea of being posed to them by Dan Dalpra, developed the concept of the Bemus Bay Pops. The first 5 concerts were held on the roof of the Italian Fisherman! At that time whe was working at the Surf Club. Between afternoon shifts Diane would enjoy the dress rehearsal since she was scheduled to work while the performance was being presented to the general public. She heard through the grapevine that it was Dan's birthday! As she was listening to the rehearsal she thought .. what a perfect opportunity for so many to hear live music and provide an exciting way to wrap up the summer season with a magnificent Labor Day weekend concert. On that very afternoon, Diane decided to enclose a small check in her birthday card to Dan leaving it with the hostess at the Italian Fisherman. Sometimes you never know what a small gesture may mean to someone. She had assumed that others had donated money to the project since she knew it was backed by many of the area corporations and local businesses, but Diane was surprised to learn she was the first individual to do so. Diane certainly believed in the Pops project then and is still a strong believer in its continuance. The high caliber of musicans and entertainment that people have had the chance to enjoy throughout the 20+ years is truly remarkable!
"We are very lucky to have people like Dan Dalpra who are willing to take chances and pursue worthwhile dreams for our entertainment", said Bergholtz.
In this troublesome time one of the groups Diane is involved with adopted the motto, MUSIC IS LIFE. Because of this group many have been able to continue pursuing their extraordinary talents. Orchestras have introduced their music to people who might never have had the chance to experience it. Music is truly the UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE. Music can relieve our stress and help us to get through this difficult time in our lives.
Diane truly hopes we can relax by the lake this summer and continue to take advantage of the Chautauqua Lake Pops by enjoying time with friends while listening to outstanding musical performances. The Pops concert series will continue BRINGING THE ARTS TO THE PEOPLE.
Diane Bergholtz is pleased the floating stage has now been relocated to Mayville, the county seat, giving others in that area an opportunity to experience the local and visiting talent who come from across the country and Canada to perform on a floating stage at the Chautauqua Lake Pops.
Be safe.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
