Frank & Jean

THE FRANK BENCRISCUTTO
&
JEAN FISCHER FAMILY

During their formative years in the 1930's and 1940's, nobody could have suspected that Frank Bencriscutto and Jean Fischer, from such diverse backgrounds, would some day join in a partnership that was destined to bring them experiences beyond their wildest imaginings.

Frank's early years centered around joining in the activities of his very athletic five older brothers and neighborhood friends. Though shy by nature, he had a deep appreciation for other human beings and early realized that music held a very special appeal for him.

By contrast, Jean's educator parents often jokingly remarked that she was "born with a book under her arm." With only one sibling, a brother David who was eight years her senior and extremely talented both musically and intellectually, never-shy little Jean learned to read at three and performed in public as soon as she could sing. However, physical abilities were never her forte. Would you believe that she never learned to ride a bicycle? And whenever she came to bat when playing softball, cries of, "Easy out Easy out" filled the air. Growing up as the daughter of the school Supervising-Principal was a bit of a curse, and she longed to be accepted without that label. By adolescence, music had become her focus, although she was heavily involved in drama and speech activities, editing the school newspaper, and dancing (whenever she had the chance). In her high school years she played a piano concerto with her high school band and was selected twice as the outstanding high-school-age flutist in Wisconsin at the annual state music festival held in Madison on the campus of the University of Wisconsin. Her straight-A academic record brought her the honor of being the Valedictorian of her 1949 graduating class.

Meanwhile, Frank had found his destiny in playing the saxophone and clarinet. When twelve, Frank started performing in various places where people would give him money to play songs they requested. The next year, though only thirteen, he was invited to become a member of Racine's leading dance band, the Les Beck Orchestra, so he joined the musicians' union and began his long professional career. With the onset of World War II, the situation changed as the other, older, members of the band were gradually taken into the armed forces. Frank, still only a sophomore at Horlick High, and a musician friend decided to form a dance band themselves, and soon their RHYTHM INCORPORATED became the most sought-after group in the city.

For almost a year after high school graduation, Frank had no definite goals in mind. He never wanted to "go on the road" with a dance band, yet day jobs, including a period of time bumping out cars at Mike Catapano's Body Shop, combined with an active schedule of dance jobs in the evening, failed to give him any sense of building a future.

By September 1947, with a good share of his life-savings invested in a piano, Frank and his brother Fred cautiously decided to start college study at the Racine Extension of the University of Wisconsin. The following year, with success behind them, the two took on the challenge of the Madison campus, rooming together over an Italian grocery store in a space little bigger than a generous clothes closet.

It was in Madison, at the beginning of Frank's junior year, that Jean Fischer. a newly-arrived freshman music major who sat in front of him in the University Symphony Orchestra, went to a college dance at which he was playing, looked up at his glowing countenance, and lost her heart to the warmest, most sparkling smile she had ever seen. A few days later, a chance (?) meeting in the hall of the music annex where they both were practicing at the same time, sped the romance on its way. From the very beginning of the relationship, whoever excelled in a particular area tutored the other and allayed the other's fears of failure so that both, in turn, became each other's cheering section and increased each other's self-confidence.

Thus began their long history of collaboration. Performing together frequently with Frank as clarinet soloist and Jean as his piano accompanist was a special pleasure of those college years. While their attachment grew, rational consideration of their vastly-different cultural and religious roots nearly "sank their love-boat." However, the attraction for both was so strong that they could not stay apart, and after Jean became acquainted with Frank's parents, brothers, sisters, and their families, she realized that she had not only fallen in love with Frank, but with his family as well.

Frank was awarded his Bachelor of Music degree in June 1951, but the raging Korean War dictated that military service was imminent. Knowing that he was to be drafted in September, Frank auditioned and was accepted for enlistment into the Fifth Army Band, an arm of Special Services located at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. During the following three years, Frank, as the band's head arranger, had to compose a new arrangement for vocal soloist and band each week for the band's weekly live radio broadcast over Chicago's radio station WGN. He also played clarinet regularly in the group, was the band's alto saxophone soloist for recruiting concerts at high schools, wrote music for army films, and was a member of a jazz quartet which presented weekly half-hour broadcasts over WJJD in Chicago. In December 1953, this group was flown to New York City to appear on Arlene Francis' national TV show, Talent Patrol.

Being apart was pure torture for both Frank and Jean who was still at school in Madison. December 22, 1951 brought them together in the unity of marriage, although it would still be several months before they could actually set up housekeeping.

By the following summer while Frank labored through parades and concerts, Jean toiled as a typist in the quartermaster's office and, later, as a receptionist in the post dental clinic. Tiny efficiency apartments in Libertyville, Illinois, and then Highland Park, both near the army post, became vehicles for Jean to practice her newly-acquired homemaking skills. The birth of Kim Louise on November 27, 1953 brought the purchase of a 33-foot mobile home with a move to the trailer park on the post and a flurry of sewing on a new Sears sewing machine which Frank and Jean had bought because they fell in love with its cabinet -- a good example of youthful folly.

Upon completion of Frank's army tour of duty and a summer of study at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Frank accepted a teaching position in Fennimore, Wisconsin. There he directed not only the high school band, but had responsibility for the entire high school choral program and elementary-middle school instrumental music program as well. Beginning instrumentalists from the parochial school and nearby rural schools came for lessons before and after the regular school day. Meanwhile, Jean was also busy, giving piano lessons in their new 41-foot mobile home, doing piano accompanying for Frank's vocal and instrumental students and large choir, acting as his band librarian, and even appearing with his band as soloist in a piano concerto. Jean's comedy role as the singing heroine in a community theater production of an old-fashioned melodrama made quiet Frank, who was still trying to feel comfortable in his new status as a dignified teacher, long to crawl under his chair and disclaim any relationship to the crazy, screechy creature warbling on the stage.

Although the two years in Fennimore were happy ones, and Frank's young musicians won top honors in contests, Jean realized that Frank's many talents could not find full expression in that limiting situation, and despite his misgivings that he possessed the ability to pursue graduate study, Jean optimistically filled out all the necessary blanks for entrance into the Master of Music degree program at the University of Wisconsin, including the application for the prestigious Elsa A. Sawyer Memorial Scholarship for $1,O5O--a princely sum in those days. Frank not only was awarded the scholarship but finished the degree only one year later with a major in music composition.

To keep the family finances healthy, Frank played weekends in an outstanding jazz quartet which was the house band at a popular steak house near the campus; Jean gave flute lessons at a downtown music store, and both performed on "demo" tapes for some national commercials. They still lived in their mobile home, parked in a huge trailer park near the Oscar Mayer meat-packing plant which provided glorious aromas whenever the wind blew from that direction, and on the edge of Truax Field where the constant din of airplanes taking off and landing assaulted their ears--truly a little paradise!

Plans to start work on a doctorate at the University of Iowa the following year were discarded after a disappointing preliminary visit to Iowa City to find housing. (To be truthful, after life in the beautiful and culturally-aware city of Madison, Iowa City looked just like an overgrown cow town.) Throwing caution to the winds, Frank and Jean decided to attempt what had, a few years earlier, seemed utterly unattainable -- the pursuit of a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the premier school in the study of musical composition, the renowned Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. To accomplish this required a year in which Frank would audition for acceptance and, at the same time, earn some money by teaching at Madison East Junior High and various elementary schools. Despite the financial setback of a bad Christmas day car accident during a snowstorm which totaled their little Studebaker, June of 1958 found the family on its way to Rochester, pulling a small UHaul, loaded heavily with their precious piano.

After locating a house in Rochester in which the upstairs bedrooms had been converted into a second-floor apartment, Frank settled into the all-consuming task of doctoral study while Jean hauled out the sewing machine in the fancy cabinet to whip up a wardrobe of maternity clothes during moments she wasn't trying to locate wandering Kim, copying individual parts from the scores Frank had composed, or practicing her flute for the occasional lessons she was taking at Eastman from the greatly-admired artist flute teacher Joseph Mariano. Directing church choirs was almost the only vehicle for income beyond the sparse Korean GI Bill dollars. (Money was so tight that it was fortunate for little Peter Allen, who arrived as scheduled on January 12, 1959, that he had his own free milk supply.)

Two wonderful, productive years, including composition study with revered composer Howard Hanson and membership in the famous Eastman Wind Ensemble, came to a close June 1960 when Frank officially became Dr. Bencriscutto. (A surprise graduation gift which remained packaged until the following February 27, was a notable result of the pair's elation over the accomplishment.)

After a summer in Madison, where Frank directed the University of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, he was hired in late July to be the new Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. It was an enormous undertaking -- especially for one who had no experience in charting football marching band maneuvers, but Frank proved equal to the task. Almost immediately he was confronted with the eyes of the nation soon to be upon his band----as, for the first time ever, Minnesota had been invited to play and perform at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on New Year's Day with its full television coverage. Again. the following year, the Minnesotans made the Rose Bowl trek, and it was there that the entire country became acquainted with Frank's innovation of turning the marching band into a giant jazz "big band" by means of the lush and rhythmically- intricate arrangements he had written.

One wintry afternoon two months later --- February 27 to be exact --- while Frank was putting the finishing touches on the music to be performed at his concert band's first concert under its new director, Jean was visiting the dentist to have two teeth filled. To make a long story short, about an hour and a half and lots of rushing later, the long-hidden graduation gift emerged for all to see --- a tiny baby girl with auburn hair, soon to be named Diana Grace. As could be expected, Jean talked the doctor into releasing her from the hospital early so that she wouldn't miss Frank's first important University of Minnesota concert.

The next thirty two years were crammed with exciting performances of not only Frank's own groups, but countless others, both nationally and internationally, which he guest conducted. Some unforgettable highlights have included concert tours to Europe in 1974, 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1997, to China in 1980, to Scandinavia and Leningrad in 1990 and the biggest of all, the seven-week, ten-city, 27-concert cultural exchange tour to the Soviet Union in 1969 (exchanged with the Bolshoi Ballet), shared by Jean playing flute, which ended in a command performance in the Rose Garden of the White House and resulted in an invitation for Frank and Jean to be honored guests at the 1970 International Tschaikovsky Competition in Moscow. And as the number of compositions flowing from Frank's pen increased, so did his fame as a composer.

Throughout all this, Jean managed the household, helped Frank in whatever project he was currently undertaking, did some professional flute and piccolo playing, including solo appearances which brought glowing reviews in the St. Paul morning paper, and spent several years as a member of Musica Primavera, a flute - violin - harpsichord - viola - da gamba costumed Baroque quartet which performed at weddings and recitals as well as on college concert calendars. Although her own activities brought her much enjoyment, she found her greatest satisfaction as an active participant in Frank's exciting schedule.

In 1992, to get away from the ever-increasing political climate of the University of Minnesota and have more freedom to pursue other musical challenges and invitations, Frank decided to retire from his position and become a Professor Emeritus. After that, from time to time, he and Jean have spent a series of months in Tokyo, Japan where he was a visiting professor and conductor of the top wind ensemble at Musashino Academia Musicae, perhaps the largest music conservatory in the world.

The joy of a loving attachment to all humanity through the gift of music continued to inspire and shape the lives of both Frank and Jean as they strolled, hand-in-hand, into the challenges of the future. In all, Frank and Jean spent six wonderful semesters, each two to four months, in Japan. One of the conducting "high points" of Frank’s career occurred when he brought his 1995 Musashino Wind Ensemble to concertize in America and co-conducted its superb performance at the 1995 International MidWest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago.

Throughout his life, Frank had enjoyed excellent health, but in June 1996, a lung x-ray disclosed a large malignant tumor in the top lobe of his right lung. This was shocking news since Frank had never smoked. After surgery a few weeks later, it was thought that there had been no spread, so neither radiation nor chemotherapy was advised. Late in September, Frank and Jean flew to Japan for their sixth semester of Frank conducting the Wind Ensemble (top concert band) of Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo. In November, Frank began having severe pains in his upper back. Frequent trips to the orthopedic section of Tokyo’s international hospital did not solve the problem, and the pain became more and more disabling in spite of increasingly stronger medication. Three days before the big concert and recording session, during the 90 minutes it took to ride to the hospital, Frank lost all feeling from the waist down. After an MRI, it was determined that the cancer had metastasized and spread to his spine, knocking out two vertebrae and causing nerve compression. Of course, the concert was abruptly cancelled, and Frank and Jean flew home immediately.

Radiation and a 10 ½ hour spine surgery which included a spinal fusion, using a rib and a bit of bone from his hip and the implantation of long metal rods on both sides of his spine proved very successful, and after a long, painful period of recovery and more radiation, the feeling in his feet, legs, and lower trunk gradually returned. All the doctors were amazed that someone who had suffered such a radical and prolonged loss of feeling became able to again walk very short distances with the assistance of a walker. Eventually, though, the cancer spread, and even more radiation could not halt its onslaught.

While those months of limited activity were extremely difficult for one who previously had been blessed with such excellent health and unusually fine coordination, Frank maintained an optimistic attitude and greatly enjoyed visits and lunch or dinner get-togethers with colleagues and former students. His "fan mail" was quite overwhelming, and the phone stayed constantly busy with messages of support from all over the country as well as from overseas. Often these communications were filled with words of gratitude for the great influence he had.

Frank was extremely pleased to receive notification that the Board of Directors of the International MidWest Band and Orchestra Clinic, held annually for over 50 years (almost always at the Chicago Hilton and Towers) had voted to give him the 1997 Medal of Honor--a tremendously significant award. At about the same time, the University of Minnesota "M Club", comprised of the most famous University of Minnesota athletes of the past, informed him that he was to be initiated into its Hall of Fame. (Unfortunately, he died before he was able to personally receive either honor, but Jean stood in for him at both presentations.)

One very precious, unforgettable "long weekend" late in July when the annual Racine Italian Festival was being held, Frank and Jean made the trek to Wisconsin so he could say his final "good bye" to the wonderful family which had always been so very very important to him throughout his entire life. Everyone made an effort to share as much time as possible with him, and he hungrily soaked up every moment of their love. A special daily treat for Frank and Jean was that Toni and Ernie stayed in a room next to theirs at the Marriott, so the two couples were able to coordinate their schedules and be together a great deal of the time, including late-night close talks in their pajamas just before going to bed.

Those priceless hours together with loved ones helped to send Frank on his way toward the reunion he would soon have with the members of the family meeting him in paradise only one month later, August the 28th. Fortunately, he was able to be in his own bed while making the transition to the world of spirit, and Jean and their children at his bedside believe that the only words he spoke, "Let’s go! Let’s go!" were to the angel who had come to "lead him into the light."

written by Jean Bencriscutto

FRANK & JEAN'S FAMILY

FRANK PETER ANTHONY
Born: 9-21-1928
Died: 8-28-1997
Vocation: Bachelor of Music-1951, Master of Music-1957 University of WIsconsin-Madison Doctor of Musical Arts-1960 Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY
Professor of Music & Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota 1960-1992, Performer on Clarinet, Alto & Soprano Saxophone, Composer, Conductor, Author, Guest Professor & Conductor of the Wind Ensemble at the Musashino Academia Musicae in Japan , 1969 7-week, 27 concert Cultural Exchange Tour (with Bolshoi Ballet) Command Performance in the Rose Garden at the White House, Honored Guest at the 1970 International Tschaikovsky Competition
Brought the First Concert Band to Mainland China 1980

JEAN WISNER
Born: 6-24-1931
Deceased
Vocation: Family Manager, Music Major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Professional Flutist, Collaborated with and Traveled with Frank on many of his
Music Projects and Tours, Played with a Baroque Quartet called Musica Primavera
Activities: Reading, playing the flute, piccolo, and piano, crossword puzzles, dancing


FRANK AND JEAN'S CHILDREN

THE KIM LOUISE BENCRISCUTTO SANRIQUEZ FAMILY

KIM
Born: 11-27-1953
Vocation: Upscale supermarket cashier
Activities: Being a mother and family chauffeur when not at work, reading
Phone: 763-784-7839
Address: 2370 County Road I Apartment # 301 Mounds View, MN  55112
TONY (Divorced)

KIM'S CHILDREN

SARAH JEAN SANRIQUEZ
Born 10-21-83
Died 11-24-83

VICTORIA JOSEPHA SANRIQUEZ
Born: 12-23-1985
Vocation: Student at Irondale Senior High, after school work at McDonalds
Activities: Teenage social activities
Phone: 763-784-7839
Address: 2370 County Road I Apartment # 301 Mounds View, MN  55112
Facebook: Victoria is on Facebook

ELIZABETH MARIE SANRIQUEZ
Born: 7-10-1987
Vocation: Student
Activities: Swimming, rollerblading, beadwork
Phone: 763-784-7839
Address: 2370 County Road I Apartment # 301 Mounds View, MN  55112

THE PETER A. BENCRISCUTTO
&
SHERRIE J. STEWART FAMILY

PETER ALLEN
Born: 1-12-1959
Vocation: Night Security Officer
Activities: Electronics
Phone: 651-731-7920
Address: 2178 Londin Lane  Apt.# 236 St. Paul, MN 55119

SHERRIE
Born: 10-7-1966
Vocation: Certified Nursing Assistant
Activities: Homemaking activities
Phone: 651-731-7920
Address: 2178 Londin Lane  Apt.# 236 St. Paul, MN 55119

PETER & SHERRI'S CHILDREN

SAMANTHA RAE
Born: 9-28-1988
Vocation: Student
Activities: teenage social activities, taking care of brothers
Phone: 651-731-7920
Address: 2178 Londin Lane  Apt.# 236 St. Paul, MN 55119

SCOTT ANTHONY
Born: 8-1-1992
Vocation: Student
Activities: Playing with matchstick cars, collecting Pokemon cards
Phone: 651-731-7920
Address: 2178 Londin Lane  Apt.# 236 St. Paul, MN 55119

JEFFREY PETER
Born: 10-3-1994
Vocation: Student
Activities: Playing with matchstick cars, collecting Pokemon cards
Phone: 651-731-7920
Address: 2178 Londin Lane  Apt.# 236 St. Paul, MN 55119

THOMAS GILBERT
Born: 9-26-1999
Activities: Eating, sleeping, playing with toys
Phone: 651-731-7920
Address: 2178 Londin Lane  Apt.# 236 St. Paul, MN 55119

DIANA GRACE BENCRISCUTTO'S FAMILY

DIANA
Born: 2-27-1961
Vocation: Dancing Instructor, Performing Arts, Homemaker, Family Chauffeur
Activities: Dancing, playing the flute, Roseville Community Band, reading, acting, swimming
Phone: 651-647-1596
Address: 1725 Dellwood Ave.  Apt.# 106   Roseville, MN  55113

DIANA'S CHILDREN

SARAH JEAN RIDDLE
Born: 4-21-1987
Vocation: Student
Activities: Singing, reading, writing poetry & stories, yearbook & school newspaper staffs, church activities
Phone: 651-647-1596
Address: 1725 Dellwood Ave.  Apt.# 106   Roseville, MN  55113
Facebook: Sarah is on Facebook

LESLIE ANN RIDDLE
Born: 1-31-1989
Vocation: Student
Activities: Reading, singing, hair styling, gymnastics, writing, swimming
Phone: 651-647-1596
Address: 1725 Dellwood Ave.  Apt.# 106   Roseville, MN  55113
Facebook: Leslie is on Facebook