Staff photo by Clay Schuldt From left, Johnny Helget, Arne Fogel, Robin Wipperling of behalf of Frances Densmore, Andrew Nelson and Cheryl Wason on behalf of the 451st Army band, accepted the plaques from the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in honor of their induction into the Hall. See more photos on page 10B.

NEW ULM — Friday’s ceremony at Turner Hall was music to the ears of the six new inductee of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.

It was the 30th annual Induction Ceremony held by the Hall of Fame. The 2018 inductees included University of Minnesota organist Dean Billmeyer, Educator in Native American Music Frances Densmore, jazz singer Arne Fogel, old time concertina player Johnny Helget, the rock and roll band Replacements and the 451st Army Band.

Dean Billmeyer is an award-winning organist who appeared as a recitalist throughout the United States and Western Europe. In 1973, he entered the Eastman School of Music of an academic scholarship, followed by studies in organ and the harpsichord at Southern Methodist University in Dallas; and then Vienna as a Fulbright Scholar. Following his return to the United States, he became one of the most highly respected teachers in the Midwest.

Billmeyer was unable to accepted the award in person, but his friend Charles Luepke was on hand to accept it.

The 451st Army Band is an Army Reserve unit and has served for 70 years across the country and around the world. The band is recognized as a one of the finest organizations in the military band program. The band has been coined as “the best in the Reserves.” The mission of telling the Army story through music has encouraged, educated, entertained and inspired service members and civilians alike through its pride in performance.

The unit Commander Andrew Nelson and longtime member of the band Cheryl Wason both accepted the award on behalf of the 451st. Nelson said the band is more than just marches, they perform all kinds of music from rock & roll to polka.

“The name has changed but the mission and the music stays the same,” Nelson said.

The Replacements were honored for being pioneers in alternative rock music. The band formed in Minneapolis 1979, including guitarist and vocalist Paul Westerberg, guitarist Bob Stinson, bass guitarist Tommy Stinson and drummer Chris Mars. The band went through several variations. Their music can be heard in several film including the ’80s classic “Say Anything,” which featured their song “Within Your Reach.” Their final performance as a band was in June 2015.

The Replacements were unable to attend the ceremony, but super fans Elyse Summers, Roseann Micullef and Frank Meyers did attend and cheered on the bands accomplishment. The three fans promise to attend the Inductee Showcase to sing “The Replacements” tunes.

Frances Densmore inducted for her work preserving Dakota and Chippewa songs for future generations. She grew up in Red Wing and studied music at Oberlin College. During the early part of the twentieth century, she worked as a music teacher with Native Americans, while also learning, recording and transcribing their music and documenting its use in culture. Densmore passed away in 1957.

New Ulm native, Johnny Helget, was inducted his decades of performing concertina throughout the country. He has taught many students how to play the concertina, including Peter and Paul Wendinger, Ed Palmer and many more. He is still active in the music business and frequently plays with his grandson Nick Stadick. Helget said he could not continue to play without the support of his family. Helget received a standing ovation from the audience as he went to accept the award. Roughly a third of the ceremony’s attendees were Helget’s friends and family.

Arne Fogel has written, produced and appeared in over two dozen concert presentation in venues throughout the upper midwest. He wrote and co-produced the Nancy Harms show “Ellington at Night.” The show has been presented in The Densmore Room, Lincoln Center in New York, Albert Hall in London and New Morning in Paris. He participated in countless live radio concerts including three years as a regular performer on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.”

Fogel accepted his award in person and thanked everyone who helped him in his career. Fogel said he was unable to do anything but perform jazz.

“I am so thankful for you all enabling me,” he said. “I am amazed I pull it off.”

An Inductee Showcase event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the MN Music Hall of Fame at 27 N. Broadway. The showcase is free to the public and refreshments. It is a chance for visitors to see the new inductee displays and view all the previous inductee from the last 30 years.

The Grand Center for the Arts and Culture will also host a concert featuring inductee Arne Fogel, accompanied by Rick Carlson on piano.