Since it's was created in 2001, Our Jim Krueger Memorial Scholarship has awarded over $24,000 to local young people looking to further their music education.
This scholarship is open to any resident of Manitowoc County who plays a musical instrument or is a vocal musician, ages 16 to 22 years old as of July 15, 2023.The amount of the scholarship is $1000.00. It is used to further music education in college, at a music camp or at music workshops.
The scholarship recipient will be invited to perform at Acoustic Fest on Saturday, August 10, 2024.
Applications for 2024 must be postmarked by May 15, 2024.
2024 Scholarship Recipient
Joey O'Connor
We are proud to announce our 2024 Jim Krueger Memorial Music Scholarship recipient, Joey O'Connor! Joey was also one of two recipients of the award in 2022.
Joey will be a Junior at Lawrence University in Fall, pursuing a degree in Music Education. He intends to teach secondary or collegiate-level music while simultaneously composing music for films and on commission.
Joey has served as the assistant music director for the Manitowoc Marine Band, music director for Treehouse Theatre, orchestra conductor for Peter Quince Performing Company, and performed in many ensembles throughout the community. At Lawrence University he has served as principal trumpet in the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Mariachi Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Symphonic Band.
Regarding music, he stated, "I have gained insight by working with and learning from people and musicians much better than me. These experiences have taught me that beyond just making notes and playing what is documented on a page in front of us, music is so much more. It is caring. It is understanding. It is pain, while simultaneously it is hope. It is anguish and bitterness, while truth and bits of glorious tranquility shimmer through. Music has completely changed my way of life and has made me
more open-minded and reflective in life."
For a taste of Joey's talent and creativity, read and watch this recent post of his, enjoying life and making music!
https://www.facebook.com/100011692925298/videos/464335639786167
Joey will be performing at Acoustic Fest at 2:00. Congratulations Joey! We wish you continued success and fulfillment in your education and future career!
Joey will be a Junior at Lawrence University in Fall, pursuing a degree in Music Education. He intends to teach secondary or collegiate-level music while simultaneously composing music for films and on commission.
Joey has served as the assistant music director for the Manitowoc Marine Band, music director for Treehouse Theatre, orchestra conductor for Peter Quince Performing Company, and performed in many ensembles throughout the community. At Lawrence University he has served as principal trumpet in the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Mariachi Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Symphonic Band.
Regarding music, he stated, "I have gained insight by working with and learning from people and musicians much better than me. These experiences have taught me that beyond just making notes and playing what is documented on a page in front of us, music is so much more. It is caring. It is understanding. It is pain, while simultaneously it is hope. It is anguish and bitterness, while truth and bits of glorious tranquility shimmer through. Music has completely changed my way of life and has made me
more open-minded and reflective in life."
For a taste of Joey's talent and creativity, read and watch this recent post of his, enjoying life and making music!
https://www.facebook.com/100011692925298/videos/464335639786167
Joey will be performing at Acoustic Fest at 2:00. Congratulations Joey! We wish you continued success and fulfillment in your education and future career!
2023 Scholarship Recipient
Connor Paltzer
Acoustic Fest is pleased to announce it has awarded the 2023 Jim Krueger Memorial Music Scholarship to Connor Paltzer.
Connor plans to pursue a degree in Music/Audio Production with the goal of becoming an accomplished producer/composer of instrumental scores. Connor’s main instrument is the piano, which he began playing in the third grade. Connor’s love for music significantly increased during covid, when he began to compose pieces on the piano, and became proficient with several composing software programs.
Says Connor, “I have always loved music for its many methods of expressing emotion, whether you are enjoying pop music with your friends in a good state of mind, playing a ballad in your room to let out pent up feelings, or bumping to a hard riff in a dark jazz or hip hop piece.”
Connor is in the National Honors Society and is also a competitive swimmer. Connor will be attending Interlochen School of the Arts this summer to study music production.
Connor plans to pursue a degree in Music/Audio Production with the goal of becoming an accomplished producer/composer of instrumental scores. Connor’s main instrument is the piano, which he began playing in the third grade. Connor’s love for music significantly increased during covid, when he began to compose pieces on the piano, and became proficient with several composing software programs.
Says Connor, “I have always loved music for its many methods of expressing emotion, whether you are enjoying pop music with your friends in a good state of mind, playing a ballad in your room to let out pent up feelings, or bumping to a hard riff in a dark jazz or hip hop piece.”
Connor is in the National Honors Society and is also a competitive swimmer. Connor will be attending Interlochen School of the Arts this summer to study music production.
2022 Scholarship Recipients
Carson Wainright
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Joey O'Connor
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Acoustic Fest is pleased to announce that it has awarded two Jim Krueger Memorial Music Scholarships for 2022 to Joey O’Connor and Carson Wainright.
Pete Honzik, Scholarship Chair and former organizer of Acoustic Fest stated that “In all the years of awarding the scholarship, I have never seen such strong applications.” It is for this reason that the committee decided to award two $1000 scholarships this year.
About the recipients:
Joey O’Connor will be attending Lawrence University in the fall, pursuing a degree in music education. Joey performs on the piano, as well as the trumpet. While he loves performing, Joey’s passion is composing. He has won 20 awards for original composition through the Wisconsin School Music Association. In 2021 Joey was commissioned by the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra to compose a piece for their 2022 season. His dream is to compose professionally for various ensembles or even media and film.
“The world seems to be getting darker and darker every day as we trudge into the future, but I believe there are elements of beauty in the chaos, and I truly believe music is a light for all to unify behind, making the world a little brighter.” – Joey O’Connor
Carson Wainright is a vocalist and will be attending the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in the fall as a vocal performance major. Carson hopes to become a music teacher specializing in assisting people with mental health needs. He has performed at Solo & Ensemble for each year of my high school career. Most recently Carson has received Superior ratings for both a classical solo and a musical theater solo at the State Solo & Ensemble at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
“Music was always there for me. Music was and will always be my comforter. My companion. My solace during hard times. From an early age, I found singing to be a great form of therapy. Music introduced me to friends I would not have met otherwise. Music bonded me to people with similar interests as we all worked to develop our talent. It also revealed to me that everyone struggles with their mental wellness at some point in their life.” – Carson Wainright
Pete Honzik, Scholarship Chair and former organizer of Acoustic Fest stated that “In all the years of awarding the scholarship, I have never seen such strong applications.” It is for this reason that the committee decided to award two $1000 scholarships this year.
About the recipients:
Joey O’Connor will be attending Lawrence University in the fall, pursuing a degree in music education. Joey performs on the piano, as well as the trumpet. While he loves performing, Joey’s passion is composing. He has won 20 awards for original composition through the Wisconsin School Music Association. In 2021 Joey was commissioned by the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra to compose a piece for their 2022 season. His dream is to compose professionally for various ensembles or even media and film.
“The world seems to be getting darker and darker every day as we trudge into the future, but I believe there are elements of beauty in the chaos, and I truly believe music is a light for all to unify behind, making the world a little brighter.” – Joey O’Connor
Carson Wainright is a vocalist and will be attending the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in the fall as a vocal performance major. Carson hopes to become a music teacher specializing in assisting people with mental health needs. He has performed at Solo & Ensemble for each year of my high school career. Most recently Carson has received Superior ratings for both a classical solo and a musical theater solo at the State Solo & Ensemble at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
“Music was always there for me. Music was and will always be my comforter. My companion. My solace during hard times. From an early age, I found singing to be a great form of therapy. Music introduced me to friends I would not have met otherwise. Music bonded me to people with similar interests as we all worked to develop our talent. It also revealed to me that everyone struggles with their mental wellness at some point in their life.” – Carson Wainright
Jim (Bruiser) Krueger
September 24, 1949 - March 29, 1993
Jim "Bruiser" Krueger was born and raised in Manitowoc. He was self taught starting with a ukulele and an accordion.
Heavily influenced by the folk movement of the early and mid 1960's, Jim became prolific on the 5-string banjo. The acoustic guitar was next, finally giving way to the electric, from the influence of Bob Dylan and the Beatles.
From 1967 to 1970, Jim was a member of the legendary group Grease. In 1971 Jim moved to San Francisco to join the nationally known AB Skhy Band.1973 was the first year Jim was recording on a major label with the Tim Weisberg/Dreamspeaker Album.
That same year Jim joined Dave Mason's Band touring and recording on and off for the next 20 years. In 1976 Jim wrote and recorded Dave's biggest hit, "We Just Disagree," earning Jim's second gold album. The following year, Jim, Mike Finnigan and Les Dudek formed the DFK Band, also on Columbia Records.
In the early '80's, Jim joined Mike Finnigan and the Right Band on the live TV concert show "Rock & Roll Tonite." Jim and the band backed up legendary artists Les Paul, Todd Rundgren, Steven Stills, Etta James, Ted Nugent, Paul Butterfield and the Band, along with their own material. In 1987, Jim moved back to Manitowoc, but continued to record and tour with Dave Mason.
The local bands, the Traveling Kingsburys and the Normal Adults, were formed in 1991. Jim let everybody in on his fun, creating the Happy Schnapps Combo.
Jim died in 1993. His music was recorded by numerous artists including his boyhood idol, Bob Dylan. Jim's music lives on and as time goes by, seems to sound hipper and timeless with age.
(Written by Jim's brother, Rich Krueger)
Heavily influenced by the folk movement of the early and mid 1960's, Jim became prolific on the 5-string banjo. The acoustic guitar was next, finally giving way to the electric, from the influence of Bob Dylan and the Beatles.
From 1967 to 1970, Jim was a member of the legendary group Grease. In 1971 Jim moved to San Francisco to join the nationally known AB Skhy Band.1973 was the first year Jim was recording on a major label with the Tim Weisberg/Dreamspeaker Album.
That same year Jim joined Dave Mason's Band touring and recording on and off for the next 20 years. In 1976 Jim wrote and recorded Dave's biggest hit, "We Just Disagree," earning Jim's second gold album. The following year, Jim, Mike Finnigan and Les Dudek formed the DFK Band, also on Columbia Records.
In the early '80's, Jim joined Mike Finnigan and the Right Band on the live TV concert show "Rock & Roll Tonite." Jim and the band backed up legendary artists Les Paul, Todd Rundgren, Steven Stills, Etta James, Ted Nugent, Paul Butterfield and the Band, along with their own material. In 1987, Jim moved back to Manitowoc, but continued to record and tour with Dave Mason.
The local bands, the Traveling Kingsburys and the Normal Adults, were formed in 1991. Jim let everybody in on his fun, creating the Happy Schnapps Combo.
Jim died in 1993. His music was recorded by numerous artists including his boyhood idol, Bob Dylan. Jim's music lives on and as time goes by, seems to sound hipper and timeless with age.
(Written by Jim's brother, Rich Krueger)
Click picture to listen to "We Just Disagree"
