MINDEN — Glen Haselbarth loves music and loves to share his appreciation for music with his neighbors in Minden.

From playing organ at many churches and at Pioneer Village and Mosaic at Bethphage Mission to directing the music for the Minden Community Players, Haselbarth has spread that love of music.

The Minden-area farmer was named the 2006 Freedom Award Winner in the Arts and Entertainment category. He was nominated by 10 of the people he has touched in his community.

“I was exposed to music as a child. I grew up hearing music around home and at outside activities,” Haselbarth said. That helped develop his interest in music.

“I began piano lessons when I was 8 years old,” he said. “I really credit my parents that I stayed with it. At that age, you don’t see the long term. I would not have stayed with it without them.”

Haselbarth began using his musical talent in public when his aunt Laura Hansen appointed him Sunday school accompanist at his home church, Fredericksburg Lutheran Church south of Minden.

By the time Haselbarth was 15, he was playing the organ for the Lutheran Church in Norman.

His piano teacher during high school, Katie Maxon, encouraged him to show his talent to the community.

“She worked me into community things.” he said, “I got involved, and it was the incentive to go on.”

Haselbarth said he has had the chance to meet and work with some of the best musicians in the area, including the late Marshall Christensen, a famous soloist who originally was from Minden.

“Working with Marshall was a good experience,” Haselbarth said. “He was a good friend, and I worked with him several years. I owe him a lot. Because of his confidence in me, I was given exposure to some very good musical situations and other professional musicians.”

Haselbarth said he learned much of what he knows about accompaniment from Christensen.

“He was a very nice and appreciative person to accompany,” Haselbarth said.

Haselbarth said he has also learned a lot from singing with Rodney Wendell of Keene in his Axtell Area Oratorio Society production of “Messiah,” which will be performed this year at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Kearney High School Auditorium.

“I’ve learned a lot from singing in his choir. From him I have learned to always do your best and to pay attention to detail,” Haselbarth said. “He has really inspired me and been a good role model. I have also learned about directing musicals from what I saw in his school programs and musicals.”

Haselbarth said he has also enjoyed working with the Minden Community Players. He was musical director for such performances as “The Sound of Music,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Music Man,” and most recently, “State Fair.”

Haselbarth has played the organ for the Westminster Presbyterian Church since 1984 and plays the organ and piano for funerals and weddings. He also plays at the Pioneer Village worship service at every Sunday each summer and plays organ once a month at Mosaic at Bethphage Mission at Axtell.

Others in his community appreciate how far Haselbarth’s talent reaches.

“Glen’s talents go communitywide as he plays for weddings, funerals and, sometimes if you just ask, he’s there to add his musical talents for whatever occasion there might be,” said Don Phillips of Minden, in his Freedom Award nominating letter. “He also gives piano lessons and has a wonderful recital every year for his students.”

Another Minden resident, Carolyn Space, said she enjoys those recitals in the Minden Opera House. “Take it from me, it is worth going to. I have gone for several years now. Not because I have a child there, but because I like to hear how much the kids have improved. He is making performers out of our youngsters — making the people of tomorrow.”

Space said the community also has seen Haselbarth’s generosity.

“Glen saw the need and purchased a grand piano for the high school,” she said. He also donated a piano to the Minden Opera House.

Haselbarth said he gave the piano to the Minden schools as a gift in memory his parents, Merle and Mabel Haselbarth.

Minden resident Tim Beck also nominated Haselbarth for the Freedom Award.

“Glen isn’t about needing recognition,” he said. “He’s the more the shy and quiet type, the guy who likes to see things get done right. Then he will bask in the beauty of the project while vanishing into the shadows of anonymity.

“Because of his selflessness, this community’s people are continually afforded more of what a city might have to offer — culture,” Beck added.

Minden resident Dave Craig said he had been amazed at what Haselbarth has done for Minden both monetarily and through volunteering.

“People in our town look to and rely on Glen for his musical talent and expertise in community affairs. He is truly a generous man who thinks of himself last,” Craig said.

Rev. Dr. Berke Landrum, pastor of Westminster United Presbyterian Church, added, “What distinguishes Glen is his commitment to involving so many people in worship music. When a seven-piece brass ensemble was called for, Glen organized our youth to play, even writing the accompaniment for them to play.”

Haselbarth is not only appreciated for his contribution to area music, but several mentioned his contributions of fudge, fruit soup, aebleskivers, and other food he has prepared for area fundraisers though he does not belong to the church or organization sponsoring the event.

Haselbarth said the award pleases him.

“I’m honored people thought of me for it,” he said. “It’s a nice thing the Hub does to promote community voluntarism. It adds a lot to people’s lives to have organizations.”

e-mail to:
amy.schweitzer@kearneyhub.com