TONIC SOL-FA BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY

Tonic Sol-fa has established itself not only as the most in-demand vocal group in the Midwest, but also one of the most successful independent acts in America. In addition to substantial CD sales of its own independent releases (2,000,000 copies sold), the group has toured extensively throughout the US and abroad, building their financial base with a steady list of festivals and private shows that eventually led to numerous sold-out tours of theaters and small arenas.

Tonic Sol-fa began at St. John’s University in Central Minnesota and includes lead vocalist Shaun Johnson, tenor and vocal percussionist, Greg Bannwarth, and bass, Jared Dove. Together the group reached national prominence with appearances on NBC’s Today Show and in Newsweek magazine. Along the way, they shared the stage with a number of recognizable performers including Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy and Lonestar, and were recently part of Garrison Keillor’s 30th Anniversary celebration of A Prairie Home Companion.

From the group’s onset, the members have overseen and operated the business of Tonic Sol-fa with a only a small team of driven supporters acting as managers, lawyers, and publicists, and increased revenue from a few thousand dollars in their first year to a multi-million dollar limited liability company today. The group overcame a number of obstacles, including an unspoken apprehension to a cappella acts by individuals in the music industry and having a name that was anything but catchy (a system of naming the notes of the scale, usually do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, developed to teach singing). Still, the group persevered, recording and manufacturing its own records and selling them to a growing legion of fans via the Internet and social networking sites, in the lobby of the theaters where they performed, and through a growing national distribution. One could say they gained their current consumer popularity the old fashioned way; they earned it.

At present, Tonic Sol-fa is in the studio recording their latest album, entitled “Original,” a new recording in a catalog of numerous award-winning DVD and CD projects highlighting three indelible voices.  This outstanding blend has resulted in multiple Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards, NACA (National Association of Collegiate Activities) Entertainer of the Year nominations, considerable national press, and has landed their music on the best-selling seasonal DVD at Wal-Mart, The 12 Dogs of Christmas.

Further Tonic Sol-fa released their third television holiday special in 2010, which aired over 1800 times in forty-seven states and Canada. The new PBS special will be shown through 2015, continuing to spread Tonic Sol-fa's unique sound to an ever-growing audience.

Tonic Sol-fa continues to tour, record, and conscientiously run their business in the only way familiar to them – differently.

Recent highlights:

• National appearances in Newsweek, Country Weekly and MediaStyle magazines, on NBC’s Today Show, Steve and DC’s nationally syndicated radio program, A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, among others.
• An Emmy for Original Musical Composition.
• A third Public Television special which aired over 1,800 times across the United States.
• Two ‘Independent Grammy’ wins for Best Original Holiday Song and Best Original Pop Song out of 650,000 entries.
• Outings with Shawn Colvin, Jeff Foxworthy, Lonestar, Montgomery Gentry, Weird Al Yankovic, Bryan White, Neal McCoy, Nester Torres, Bobcat Goldthwait and Jerry Springer, among others.
• The inclusion of an original TSF composition, “Snõ,” on Wal-Mart’s most popular Christmas video, The 12 Dogs of Christmas.
• Induction into the Midwest Music Hall of Fame.
• Corporate collaborations with Bose, Schwan’s, General Mills, Blue Bunny, Tastefully Simple, Herberger’s and the Wenger Corporation.
• 150 performances annually to a combined audience of 250,000+ in 48 states.

Our November session will be "Talkin' Turkey" with fun music, activities and stories about turkeys and Thanksgiving.
The session begins on Thursday, November 1st with the following schedule:

3:30-4:15 PM Preschoolers and Parents ages 3-5 years
(Pre-KDG)

4:30-5:15 PM Older 4s, KDG-2nd Grade parents optional

5:30-6:15 PM Preschoolers and Parents ages 3-5 years (Pre-KDG)

6:30-7:00 PM Toddlers and Parents ages 1-2 years

7:00-7:30 PM Toddlers and Parents ages 1-2 years

Class fee for the 3 week session is $27 for the older kids and $22 for the toddlers. To register email Deb at debknielsen@gmail.com

Joseph Hall, born in 1984 has been paying tribute to the legacy of Elvis Presley since 2006. He starred on NBC's America's Got Talent in 2008, making 6 TV appearances, viewed by more than 90 million people and placing as one of the top 10 finalists! Sharon Osbourne was impressed enough to tell him, " I've got shoes older than you, but I'de like to try you on!" Joseph Hall has performed all over the world, from Las Vegas, Nevada to Porthcawl, Wales. Joseph Hall has won many awards throughout his young career including the "Spirit of Elvis " award. Joseph has worked with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Legends in Concert, and has officially been recognized as one of the top Elvis tribute artists in the world today. Hall completed 6 smashed seasons in Branson, Missouri. Hall says " My goal is to capture the essence of Elvis Presley, to pay tribute to him with the utmost respect to his legacy, his music, his image and above all else his fans."

Paul Eve was born in the state of Kentucky and has been entertaining for almost 25 years. Being the son of a preacher, he was exposed to music from the time he was a young child. He started portraying Johnny Cash and other entertainers at the ripe old age of 9. Paul has performed his show across the country from California to the hills of Tennessee.

You will be astonished by the uncanny resemblance that Paul has to Johnny Cash. You will be even more impressed with his vocals. Paul truly captures Johnny Cash's essence.

Our November session will be "Talkin' Turkey" with fun music, activities and stories about turkeys and Thanksgiving.
The session begins on Thursday, November 1st with the following schedule:

3:30-4:15 PM Preschoolers and Parents ages 3-5 years
(Pre-KDG)

4:30-5:15 PM Older 4s, KDG-2nd Grade parents optional

5:30-6:15 PM Preschoolers and Parents ages 3-5 years (Pre-KDG)

6:30-7:00 PM Toddlers and Parents ages 1-2 years

7:00-7:30 PM Toddlers and Parents ages 1-2 years

Class fee for the 3 week session is $27 for the older kids and $22 for the toddlers. To register email Deb at debknielsen@gmail.com

The Music Man Square will be closed to the public November 9th - November 16th for Decorating of It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas yearly seasonal event.

Kids Make Music Classes will still be held on November 15th as scheduled

Our November session will be "Talkin' Turkey" with fun music, activities and stories about turkeys and Thanksgiving.
The session begins on Thursday, November 1st with the following schedule:

3:30-4:15 PM Preschoolers and Parents ages 3-5 years
(Pre-KDG)

4:30-5:15 PM Older 4s, KDG-2nd Grade parents optional

5:30-6:15 PM Preschoolers and Parents ages 3-5 years (Pre-KDG)

6:30-7:00 PM Toddlers and Parents ages 1-2 years

7:00-7:30 PM Toddlers and Parents ages 1-2 years

Class fee for the 3 week session is $27 for the older kids and $22 for the toddlers. To register email Deb at debknielsen@gmail.com

Get into the holiday spirit at Music Man Square's annual Holiday Premiere event. The grand opening of the holiday season at Music Man Square, the Holiday Premiere is the opening of our "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" season and annual fundraiser. Come and savor the gourmet foods prepared by the chefs of HyVee East. Enjoy holiday entertainment and the live and silent auctions to end the festive and fun evening.

Our December session will be "Jingle Bell Rock" with fun music, activities and stories celebrating Christmas.
The session begins on Thursday, December 6th with the following schedule:

3:30-4:15 PM Preschoolers and Parents ages 3-5 years
(Pre-KDG)

4:30-5:15 PM Older 4s, KDG-2nd Grade parents optional

5:30-6:15 PM Preschoolers and Parents ages 3-5 years (Pre-KDG)

6:30-7:00 PM Toddlers and Parents ages 1-2 years

7:00-7:30 PM Toddlers and Parents ages 1-2 years

Class fee for the 3 week session is $27 for the older kids and $22 for the toddlers. To register email Deb at debknielsen@gmail.com