Meet Dianne Schalk: A Lifelong Love of Music
Meet Dianne Schalk: A Lifelong Love of Music
Our next musical interlude will feature Quad Cities native Dianne Schalk on soprano saxophone. I recently sat down with her for an interview in preparation for this event to get to know a little bit more about her musical background. When I began talking with her I quickly discovered that her musical journey is about much more than playing an instrument. It’s a story of lifelong learning, dedication, and, most importantly, the joy of making music with others.
Dianne first picked up the saxophone in fifth grade and continued playing throughout high school. She just liked practicing, so much so that she got first chair in her section, even though the rest of the saxophonists at her school were boys. Although she stepped away from music for a few years, she eventually found her way back to the instrument through the Bettendorf Community Band. What began as a return to an old hobby soon became a serious musical pursuit.
As Dianne became more involved in playing, she realized she wanted to improve her skills. She began taking lessons and attending workshops with accomplished saxophonists, including Eugene Rousseau, whose beautiful tone and artistry left a lasting impression on her. That experience helped inspire her to take her musicianship to the next level.
Her commitment to learning has continued for decades. Dianne still studies with John Vana, a former saxophone professor at Western Illinois University, through online lessons. For more than 20 years, she has also attended the James Houlik Saxophone Retreat in North Carolina. There, she spends a week immersed in music, participating in master classes, rehearsing with ensembles, and learning about everything from tone production to technique.
What struck me in our conversation was how seriously Dianne continues to approach her music. Even after all these years, she remains eager to improve, explore new repertoire, and learn from experienced musicians.
A Musician Who Loves to Play with Others
Dianne keeps a busy musical schedule. She performs with several local ensembles, including the Bettendorf Community Band, Black Hawk College Community Band, the Quad Cities CASI Band, and the Quad Cities Wind Ensemble. She also plays with Jovial Synergy, an eight-member chamber wind group that performs classical and
contemporary music. We also talked about the history of the saxophone and it’s creation and the unique challenge of playing different members of the saxophone family, including the alto, tenor, baritone and soprano saxophones.
But when I asked Dianne what she enjoys most about playing, her answer wasn't about performing difficult pieces or achieving recognition.
“I really like learning the repertoire for saxophone, but my favorite thing to do is to play with other people and make music with other people,” she told me.
That answer says a lot about Dianne. For her, music isn't simply an individual pursuit. It's an opportunity to collaborate, build relationships, and share something meaningful with others.
A Passion That Has Grown Throughout Her Life
Music has been a constant presence in Dianne's life, even though it wasn't her profession. She built a career in information technology, and became an IT auditor for John Deere, a position that took her around the world to visit company facilities in places such as China, Thailand, Australia, and Europe.
With weeks of travel at a time, maintaining a consistent practice schedule wasn't always easy. There were periods when music had to take a back seat to work. Nevertheless, she continued returning to the saxophone, finding new opportunities to play and develop her abilities.
Dianne also spoke about the importance of learning from great musicians. Her own teachers learned from musicians that can be traced back to great early saxophonists like Marcel Mule (who introduced the saxophone into the Paris Conservatory). Dianne has become part of that continuing musical tradition and now is passing along what she has learned to her own students in saxophone lessons.
Join Us for Music and Fellowship November 4th at First Pres!
I’m delighted that Dianne will be joining us at First Pres for our next musical interlude. I’ll have the pleasure of accompanying her on piano as she performs saxophone solos for worship, giving us an opportunity to experience firsthand the musicianship and dedication she has cultivated over many years.
When I asked Dianne about her ambitions for the future, she didn’t talk about becoming the best saxophonist in the Midwest or pursuing competitions. Instead, she spoke about wanting to maintain her skills, continue learning, and play well enough to meet the challenges of the music she loves.
I find that outlook refreshing. Dianne’s story reminds us that a passion doesn’t have to become a career to be worth pursuing wholeheartedly. Music can remain a source of discovery, friendship, and fulfillment throughout our lives.
I’m looking forward to sharing the piano bench with Dianne and welcoming her to the First Presbyterian Church in Davenport. I hope you’ll join us for an incredible musical experience for our church community.