PERFECT PITCH: BIRCH CREEK'S CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

HISTORY AND TRADITIONS

1975 Jim & Fran Dutton purchase the A-frame on County E across from the current campus.

1976 The Duttons begin a music school in their A-frame home, with 12 students. The A-frame is also the site of the first public concert. The 100-year-old farmstead that is Birch Creek's current home is purchased from Henry Tischler.

1977 The Granary is renovated for use as a student dorm, the barn for performances. First performance is held in the barn.

1978 Student enrollment is 53, with 11 concerts over a 5-week session.

1979 Enrollment is 103, and faculty includes Russell Dagon, principal clarinetist with the Milwaukee Symphony, marimbist Gordon Stout, and Lovell Ives of the UW-Green Bay jazz program.

1980 Box office is donated by Norbert Haberli. It was originally a girls privy at a school, and then at Mr. Haberli's cherry plant. Twelve jazz performances, 6 classical, and 4 Sunday family afternoon concerts (free for friends) are offered.

1982 Al O'Connor from Northern Illinois University begins the steel drum program at Birch Creek. Enrollment is 143, concert attendance 3,950.

1984 Dormitory capable of housing 38 students and 6 faculty is built, with bathrooms that have public access for concert nights.

1986 Birch Creek's 10th anniversary is celebrated with performances by Woody Herman and His Thundering Herd, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Buddy Morrow. Woody's Woodshed becomes a commemorative addition to the campus.

1988 Formation of the volunteer organization, the Birch Creek Associates.

1990 The Picnic Grove is planted by the Associates on a one-acre plot south of the barn. The Gazebo is built by the Associates in the courtyard between the concert barn and the farmhouse.

1991 Popcorn has its debut as a scholarship fundraiser by the Associates.

1992 Birch Creek management passes to a new board of directors after the campus is purchased from the Duttons.

1994 New administration building is built to accommodate year-round staff. Faculty dorm is built.

1995 South wing is added to barn. Anniversary celebration includes dedication of the barn as the James N. Dutton Concert Barn.

1996 North wing is added to barn. The Ridges Motel is moved from Baileys Harbor to the campus to serve as additional faculty housing.

1998 New kitchen/dining room added to the student dorm, with rehearsal rooms on the second floor. The Associates establish the Starz concert series. Student enrollment is 178, overall concert attendance exceeds 9,000.

1999 Music library is begun in the farmhouse. Jazz pianist Marian McPartland continues the tradition of great guest artists at Birch Creek. A student-faculty hybrid, the Jazz Ambassadors, is formed as part of Birch Creek's outreach program.

December 18, 1999 Jim Dutton passes away.

2000 Birch Creek celebrates its 25th season, welcoming guest artists Peter Schickele, Gene Bertoncini, Harold Jones, and Freddy Cole. A new campus sign is erected, and an historic photo gallery is installed.

2001 A piano lab, a new popcorn stand and a new gift shop (the Play It Again Stand) make their debut on campus.

2002 Associates' bench project and water and juice sales begin. Granary is refurbished and stage extension is added. The Dutton Concert Barn gets a new roof.

2003 The Farmhouse undergoes major refurbishment.

2004 The Administrative Office is expanded. The Farmhouse roof is replaced, and the barn loft floor is replaced. Libby Larsen is commissioned to compose a concerto for steel pan and orchestra. Liam Teague premieres the piece during the Symphony Session with Ms. Larsen in attendance. Enrollment exceeds 200.

2005 Faculty rooms are refurbished through the Associates 'Adopt-a-Room' program. Birch Creek celebrates its 30^th season with the release of a new Academy Band CD, a Birch Creek cookbook, and guest appearances by Chris Brubeck, Cliff Alexis and Terell Stafford.

2006 Guest artists include the Brubeck Brothers Quartet. Associates 'Adopt-a-Room' program continues with rooms in the farmhouse being refurbished. Student and public restroom facilities undergo major renovation and the floor in the kitchen and dining room is replaced.

2007 'Perfect Pitch', public campaign begins on opening night.