The original item was published from December 9, 2020 9:47 AM to December 11, 2020 10:32 AM
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Ann Lord, the Naperville Municipal Band’s much-loved long-time emcee, first joined the band in 1946 as a member of the clarinet section. Ann attended Naperville schools and first began playing clarinet in third grade under the tutelage of Elmer Koerner. She played in the NMB throughout high school and for two summers while attending Grinnell College in Iowa. It was during those two college summers that Ann also began announcing for the NMB, going to the microphone from the clarinet section to do so.
With a major in speech and theatre from Grinnell College, Ann moved into a career path of broadcasting, becoming Women’s Program Director for CBS-affiliated station KGLO AM/FM/TV in Mason City, Iowa. She wrote commercials and produced programs, often appearing in them on-air. At KGLO she met and married John Lord, station announcer and director, who often directed her shows. They became a well-known performing team throughout the area. Once moving back to Naperville, the NMB quickly asked Ann to become their concert emcee; a position she has had for more than 60 years! During those years, Ann also earned a master’s degree in speech and taught at Naperville North High School for 20 years. Ann researches each selection the NMB plays, sharing unique stories of the music with concert goers. Commenting on her long time with the band, Ann says, 'If you stay in the same place, and continue to do something you love, the years move on easily and surprise you.' "
Nominated by Cindy Neumann