Aulne Boys quartet reunites

A reunion Sunday at Aulne United Methodist Church of the Aulne Boys gospel quartet will feature plenty of singing, but group member Kevin Fruechting said the event won’t be a concert.

“We’re not going to stand there and do song after song after song for an hour,” Fruechting said. “We don’t want this to be about us. We’re looking at this more as a fun time of worship, rather than a concert.”

Brothers Terry, Kevin, and Mike Fruechting and Rick Just will reprise favorite songs from the 1980s, while putting the focus on individuals and missions supported by the Aulne church.

“We’re going to give the people there an opportunity to help us support them,” Fruechting said.

The Fruechtings and Just formed the quartet in 1979, with Mary Lou Just, Rick’s wife, as accompanist. They performed together until 1987 or 1988, Fruechting said, when an announcement by Just brought an end to the group.

“We were headed to a program at some church, we were in the car, and Rick told us he felt a calling to go into the ministry,” Fruechting said. “He and Mary Lou were going to move to the Chicago area so he could start his studies. Terry, Mike, and I mutually decided on the spot we were done.”

The group continued to sing informally whenever family or community events brought them together, Fruechting said. The last time that happened was three years ago, when they sang for Don Fruechting’s 80th birthday.

Fruechting couldn’t say what the song lineup would be, as the group won’t get together until Saturday to rehearse.

“Mary Lou is bringing the box of music, and we’ll figure out what we’re going to do,” Fruechting said.

The reunion service will begin at 6:30 p.m. A reception will follow.