Early History of the Leonard Falcone Festival

The founders 

Following the death of Dr. Leonard Falcone in 1985, Fritz Stansell, Seymour Okun, Henry Nelson, and Eldon Rosegart conceived of and began the Falcone Festival as a tangible, enduring way to honor his memory. Each of these four had studied with Leonard Falcone at Michigan State University and had maintained a professional and personal relationship with him throughout their careers as musicians and educators. While these four became known as the Founders of the Falcone Festival, it took many other people to foster the fledgling organization, leading to the Festival’s long-term success. 

In 2025, the Board of Directors added three additional people to the list of Festival Founders: Beryl Falcone (wife of Leonard Falcone and Festival board member until her passing in 2015), Donald Flickinger (music educator, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp administrator, and Festival board member until 2005), and Martin Erickson (past Falcone student, U.S. Navy Band principal tubist, and Falcone board member from the beginning). This group also lent their support and hard work to make this memorial project a long-standing success in the first year and well beyond. Beryl kept up the personal relationships she and Leonard had built with the Michigan State University School of Music (later College of Music) and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, as well as the communities of people working for and supporting these organizations. 

1986 

Fritz Stansell—who founded Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (BLFAC), where Leonard had taught high school students for many summers—offered the camp as the venue for the new competition.  

That first year (1986) the founders worked very hard to publicize the competition (at that time for euphonium only) and develop the criteria, procedures, and logistics. Artist Level first place award was $1000 plus a performance with the Blue Lake Festival Band conducted by Donald Flickinger, with awards for second place ($500) and third place ($200). Awards for Student Level were $300-first place and $150-second place. Donald Flickinger’s leadership and inclusion of the Blue Lake Festival Band to accompany the Euphonium Artist final round was an additional unique incentive for the competitors. 

In 1986 there were 34 total entries (24 artists and 10 students) with five artist and three student competitors reaching the semi-final round at Blue Lake. The competitors were able to choose the solo they wished to perform in addition to the required pieces in the screened first rounds. The budget for the entire Festival was a modest $8,000. Roger Behrend served as the chairman of adjudicators which numbered a total of five judges. The U.S. Navy Tuba-Euphonium Quartet (Roger Behrend, Martin Erickson, John Bowman, and Keith Mehlan) opened the competition with a concert. Behrend, Erickson, Bowman, and Brian Bowman of the U.S. Air Force Band were soloists with the Festival Band under the direction of Donald Flickinger. The very first winners—on Saturday, July 12, 1986—were Angie Hunter, Artist Level, and Lance LaDuke, Student Level. 

Initial honorary board members helped publicize the Festival among their colleagues and students and also participated in the early days of fund-raising. However, it was Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and the small Executive Committee, plus Donald Flickinger and Beryl Falcone that kept the Festival going in those early years. Martin Erickson (who also had a connection to the launch of BLFAC in the 1960s) became increasingly involved with Festival decisions. 

Significant developments since inception 

The Executive Committee worked hard in the Festival’s first years to consolidate job responsibilities, develop rules for the competition, and raise funds so the competition could continue. The objectives developed for the Falcone Festival have remained fairly constant over the years, as has the importance of an international presence. 

In 1987 Artist Level awards were increased to $1,500, $700, and $400; and Student Level to $400, $200, and $100. Awards were again adjusted in 1988: Artist Level, $1500, $700, and $400; Student Level, $800, $400, and $200; and they continue to be adjusted. Through the first 40 years of the festival, over $400,000 in total prize money has been awarded. 

The success and promotion of the initial Festival led to enhanced interest and entrants from the second year onward, with several international competitors participating. In particular, the Festival built an early connection with Japanese competitors that continues to the present. In the Festival’s second year, Euphonium-Tuba Day was added to the schedule in order to develop support among local Michigan euphonium and tuba players.  

In 1991, the Festival Board supplemented the competition with additional activities including lessons, ensembles, master classes, and clinics, which were generally led by the adjudication panel. Then in 1996, Artist and Student level Tuba divisions were added to the competition.  

At Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the Festival utilized a variety of facilities for competition purposes, including Stewart Shell, the Farmhouse, Niblock Hall, and Kresge Lodge. In 1999, the opening of the camp’s Student Arts Center allowed the Festival to consolidate and upgrade performance venues in a large and air-conditioned facility.  

Several other individuals began Festival board service during the first decade of operation, with many still involved to this day. Earle Louder (Falcone board member from 1988-2011) was a frequent adjudicator and led the music selection process. Tom Broka (Falcone board member from 1992-2024) served as Vice President for several decades. Bill and Jim Gray (Falcone board members from 1989-1998) handled Festival logistics from 1989-1995 and then used Festival connections to help launch the Brass Band of Battle Creek. Michael Schott (1990-1999) and David Cleveland (1994-2005) were both former Michigan State euphonium students who had prominent roles on the board. Jerry Young (Falcone board member from 1988-2025) was a frequent adjudicator and provided helpful counsel for many years. Luis Maldonado, an early artist euphonium winner, became heavily involved in operations in the early 1990’s. Rod Ellis (Falcone board member from 1989-2021) would serve as long time Festival treasurer, and spearheaded efforts to establish our endowment fund. Philip Sinder (Falcone board member since 1995) was an early Festival adjudicator and guest artist and would later serve as Festival President for twenty years (2005-2025). Cecelia Falcone (daughter of Leonard and Beryl) remains active in supporting and attending the event each year. Other board members to join in the 1990’s and provide decades of service include Sue Topping, Kenneth “Pete” Marvin, Doug Goodrich, Jane Goodrich, and Mark Cox. 

And then, in 2004, the Falcone Festival was incorporated under its own name, The Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival, as an educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Donald Flickinger, serving as President of the Festival, worked with particular diligence, along with efforts of the Board of Directors, to complete all the necessary documentation for this to occur. 

Legacy 

One of the objectives of the Festival is to encourage the use of new compositions for euphonium and tuba. This process began in 1988 with the “Concertpiece” for euphonium by James Niblock, followed by the “Blue Lake Fantasies” for euphonium by David Gillingham in 1995. The commissioning of new works, as well as creating several composition contests, has resulted in a wide spectrum of new works featuring euphonium and tuba.  

The strong foundation of objectives and procedures set in place by the Festival Founders, along with the continued support of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, has allowed the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival to grow steadily and remain a fine tribute to Dr. Leonard Falcone.