‘Heldstock’ summer concerts entertain, raise awareness for cancer research
George Maurer, one of Minnesota’s premiere jazz pianists, along with vocal powerhouse Leslie Vincent, shared their talents in the Lincoln Lakes area Sept. 5, during the ‘Heldstock XXVII’ concert celebration.
The event takes place each year at the Lake Shamineau home of Pat Held,who founded ‘Heldstock’ with his late wife, Carolyn.
“It’s always a surprise as to who shows up with George,” Pat said. “Sometimes he brings his entire band with him and sometimes there’s just one other musician. Whatever the lineup, it’s always a great show.”
A shared faith was the instigator to the Helds’ connection and ensuing friendship with Maurer.
“We met at a Central Minnesota TEC (Together Encounter Christ) retreat,” Pat recalled. “George was attending St. John’s University at the time.”
After meeting the young music student, Pat and Carolyn purchased one of his solo piano tapes “and practically wore it out...we loved it.”
George’s career began to take off; and in addition to becoming two of his biggest fans, the Helds developed a deep friendship with the ‘piano man.’
“He even played at our wedding,” Pat shared. “We were married Aug. 9, 1991, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Little Falls...in between baseball season and the start of school.” Pat went on to explain that he was a math teacher for the Staples Motley School District at that time and Carolyn taught home-ec in Little Falls. They were both avid baseball fans as well; and Carolyn was very supportive of the Staples Motley Cardinals baseball team, which her husband coached.
The music at their wedding was very special, Pat said. One of the songs George played, “Companions on the Journey,” remains one of his favorites.
In celebration of their first wedding anniversary, George held a concert at the Held home on Lake Shamineau. “He set up his keyboard on our deck. I remember him playing, ‘Our Love is Here to Stay,’” Pat said.
The summer concerts, by now dubbed ‘Heldstock,’ became a highlight for Pat and Carolyn, one they shared with their friends and neighbors.
“They are almost always held outside by the lake,” Pat said of the concerts. “We’ve only been rained out three times in all these years. Then we just move everything inside. Everyone has a great time.”
In 2012, Carolyn died after a two-year battle with cancer. George Maurer’s music offered serenity and inspiration during that time. “The Friday before she died, George came to our house, set up his keyboard and played for us. I remember him playing variations of hymns that Carolyn loved. It was very peaceful.”
Carolyn died the following Sunday, on Oct. 7. George played at the funeral...songs which would attest to Carolyn’s deep faith, as well as her playful spirit. “He played, ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ and ‘When the Saints go Marching in,” Pat recalled.
In memory of Carolyn, who biked across the United States in 1988, George decided to replicate her trip to raise money for cancer awareness. “She biked from Seattle to Boston in 48 days,” Pat shared of his wife’s journey. “She arrived in Boston on her 48th birthday. George took the same trip in 2014, when he was 48 years old.”
Since that time, the piano player has continued to embark on a yearly bike ride, raising over $30,000 to benefit cancer research at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in memory of his dear friend.
The 2016 Carolyn A. Held Memorial Bike Ride was held this past summer in Iceland. George shared about his recent 2,500 mile journey in between songs at Heldstock XXVII. He was struck by the beauty of the countryside as well as the generous spirit of the Icelanders...the same spirit he appreciated in Carolyn.
Between performing, composing and producing, George is a busy guy. His shows at the Dakota Jazz Club and the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud are usually sell-outs; and he recently arranged all of the music for “Teen Idol: The Bobby Vee Story,” which opens at the Minnesota History Theatre in St. Paul this October.
And of course there’s the yearly musical pilgrimage George makes to Lake Shamineau. He’s already planning for Heldstock XXVIII.