Music

Students at Winona Senior High School have the opportunity to participate in highly-acclaimed music groups including choir, orchestra and band with a number of small ensembles, as well. Building skills culminate in performance opportunities. Working together as a group is an additional benefit of participating in the WSHS music program. Orchestra and band students also enjoy bi-annual trip/tour opportunities; the orchestra travels to New York City and the WSHS Marching Band makes an appearance at Walt Disney World.

Students are also able to study music theory, as an elective.

Orchestra

Prerequisite: Audition and recommendation of previous director.

Orchestra is the study of string music technique, string literature, full orchestra, and chamber music repertoire. Students will develop an appreciation of major orchestral literature through performance, clinics, and listening. The orchestra rehearses daily for the entire school year. New or transfer students must audition prior to being registered for this group. All performances and weekly lessons are part of the orchestra curriculum and are mandatory.

Music Supplies & Instruments

Please remember that as you make the decision to purchase an instrument for your child, contact me to discuss the different options. The input from the school orchestra teacher and/or private lesson teacher is essential. Many instruments bought from Ebay, Amazon, and stores other than a music store/string instrument shops are inferior and will NOT work correctly. Please allow me to give input before your purchase so that the instruments you purchase can be used for orchestra class.

Online Music Stores

Shar Products
Shar carries a wide assortment of stringed instrument equipment. Highly recommended.

Southwest Strings
Southwest Strings sells a variety of strings, supplies, instruments, bows, sheet music, and other string-related items.

Local Music Stores

Hardt's Music
Hardt's Music carries some string-related merchandise. They will also match string prices from the Shar catalog.

Leithold Music
Leithold Music is located on 3rd street in downtown LaCrosse. They carry a limited selection of orchestra instruments and equipment. However, they have a fine repair shop and can order items they do not have in stock.

SSE Music
SSE Music store is located on George Street in La Crosse.

Other Music Stores

House of Note
Located in St. Louis Park (Twin Cities suburb), House of Note rents and sells stringed instruments as well as other string accessories.

Givens Violins
Minneapolis-based business that sells fine stringed instruments and accessories.

Quinn Violins
Quinn Violins is an excellent source for strings and is highly recommended.

CodaBow International
CodaBow is a great source not only because of their close relationship with Winona Senior High School, but because of the excellent quality of their bows.

Private Lessons

ALL Instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass)

Lori Carlson
All instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass) in Fountain City, WI
Phone Number: (507) 458-6589

Violin and/or Viola

Natalie Filipovich
Violin and Viola - in Winona
Email: nfilipovich@winona.edu

Betsy Neil
Violin - in Winona
Phone Number: (507) 454-6024

Kara White
Violin - in Winona
Phone Number: (507) 458-1135

Cello

Derek Clark
Cello- in LaCrosse , WI
E-mail: dereklc@juno.com

Bass

Michael Van Ryn
Bass - in Winona
Phone Number: (651) 303-8988

Winona Fiddlers

Sponsored by Strings in Motion, the Winona Fiddlers were founded and directed by Betsy Neil. The group is comprised of students in the WAPS orchestra program - including members from 5th grade orchestra through senior high orchestra members. While the fiddle (violin) is the main instrument played, the group is frequently accompanied by double bass, keyboard, harmonica, and penny whistle. Other instruments, such as harmonium, drums, banjo, accordion, and guitar, are added on occasion.

The Winona Fiddlers play a wide variety of fiddle music, from all around the world. From old time American, to Appalachian American, to French Canadian, to Irish, to Scandinavian, to Israeli, Russian and Eastern European, to the good old blues, there is bound to be music to fit everyone’s tastes. In addition to a vast range of music, the Winona Fiddlers often feature other arts, such as dancin and singing.

How to Join:

Practice sessions are generally held in the WSHS orchestra room (room 133) at 3:45 on Fridays. The best time for joining is right away in the fall; However, new members area always welcome. Contact Betsy Neil, Cindy Johnson, Lori Carlson, or your local fiddle member for more information.

Performances occur throughout the school year. The Winona Fiddlers often play at various orchestra concerts during the year as well as a variety of venue, which in the past have included the Holiday Art Sale in December at the Winona Art Center, Frozen River Film Festival, Boats and Bluegrass Festival and a variety of other small venues.

The Winona Fiddlers are available for private performances as well. Please contact Betsy Neil at 454-6024 for more information.

Choir

Prerequisite: Audition and recommendation of previous choral director.

Note: Placement by director

Concert Choir is a select ensemble that emphasizes the development of good musicianship and familiarity with basic musical terms and symbols through application in performance. New or transfer students must audition prior to being registered for this group. A weekly voice lesson is scheduled and required for each member of the choir. These lessons are designed for vocal development and attention to proper interpretation. Concert Choir performs 3-4 times a year. Performances are considered “finals”, thus participation is required to receive a passing grade. Concert Choir focuses on quality repertoire, including sacred and secular works from the 16th-21st centuries, folksongs, spirituals, and multicultural music

Band

Prerequisite: Audition and previous director's recommendation are required prior to registration.

Note: Placement by director for Concert/Symphonic Bands

The Concert and Symphonic bands will consist of all 10th-12th graders who have completed all audition requirements of the sophomore band curriculum. New or transfer students must audition prior to being registered for this group. The two bands will combine to form the marching band in the fall and will separate by audition at the conclusion of the marching band season. The band will rehearse on a daily basis for the entire school year. All performances are a part of the band curriculum and, therefore, participation will be considered mandatory. This course will require participation in activities/competition outside of the school day.

10th-12th Grade

Band

Prerequisite: Audition and previous director's recommendation are required prior to registration.

Note: Placement by director for Concert/Symphonic Bands

Choir

Prerequisite: Audition and recommendation of previous choral director.

Note: Placement by director

Music Theory

Music Theory I

Music Theory integrates aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary composition, and to some extent, history and style. Musicianship skills such as dictation and other listening skills, and keyboard harmony are an important part of this course. The student’s ability to read and write musical notation is fundamental to this course; therefore, enrollment in a performance ensemble is strongly recommended.

Music Theory II

Prerequisite: Successful Completion of Music Theory I.

Advanced Music Theory will develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes that are heard or presented in a musical score. This course will progress to include creative tasks, such as harmonization of a melody by selecting appropriate chords, composing a musical bass line to provide two-voice counterpoint, and the realization of figured bass notation. Successful completion of Music Theory I is required.