Senior Slide Shows!
Percussion Senior Slide Show 2018
Spring 2018
2017-18 All State Musicians
Erin Bloom, Tenor Saxophone
Christian Colburn, Jazz Bass
Maya Yokanovich, Clarinet
32 Superiors, 10 excellent ratings and three Best of Sights at MSHSL State Solo and Ensemble Contest
Both the Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony received superior ratings at MSHSL State Large Ensemble Contest, This is the Wind Symphony’s 68 straight year of superiors.
The Stillwater Area High School Band Program celebrated the 90 Anniversary of its first Spring concert.
Looking back at the Fall of 2017
It is hard to believe that we are now heading into the holidays. A lot has happened in the last three months. Let us review.
Pony Pep Band
The Pony Pep Band is always our first ensemble out of the gate in the fall. This years ensemble, lead by Senior Hunter Weihe and Junior Anna Novalany led the Fight Song at Freshman orientation, supported the Ponies at home football games, collaborated with the Stillwater AM Rotary and Boutwell’s Landing for the Halloween Parade and followed both the Boys Soccer and Girls Volleyball teams to the state tourney. Way to go Pep Band!
Jazz Xtets and Jazz Bands
The jazz bands began rehearsal in mid September and have performed for the Jazz Parent’s concert and the Kaleidoscope Concerts. Our jazz bands also traveled to the Lawrence jazz festival for clinics in early November and will be featured throughout our holiday concerts. Recently, the Stillwater Jazz Band (before school) began rehearsal on Mondays and Wednesdays before school. There are over 50 students involved in our Jazz Program this year.
Rummage Sale
Our annual Music Department Rummage Sale was a strong success, raising nearly $10,000 for the Music Department. All monies from the sale are used to purchase music and instruments for our programs. Many thanks to everyone who volunteered!
Kaleidoscope Concerts
The Stillwater Bands opened our performance year with two wonderful (and sold out) concerts! Thank you to everyone who made these first concerts a success.
Stillwater Band Festival
The Wind Symphony performed with all the 5th grade and 8th grade band students at the Stillwater Band Festival on November 6. Many thanks to Dr. Robert McDowell, Executive Director of Learning and Innovation AND Stillwater Band Parent for serving as our narrator for the 5th graders “First Performance”!
Veteran’s Day
Thank you to Chester Hearne, Louisa Zuelli, Eric Fernandez, Nick Eischens and Nathan Doely who provided the ceremonial music for the Veteran’s Day Ceremony on November 11th at the Stillwater Veterans Memorial. We always love to honor the sacrifice our our community’s veterans who have served in our armed forces.
Fall Orchestra Concert
Our Orchestral Winds (made up of musicians from the Stillwater Wind Symphony) joined our Concert Orchestra performing Overture to “Egmont” by Beethoven. They are awesome. You will love hearing the Finale from the Second Symphony (Tchaikovsky) and Sleigh Ride at the Winter Concerts on December 17 and 18.
Student Accomplishments
Dan Smallidge (Senior Trombonist in the Wind Symphony), placed second chair in the University of Minnesota Duluth Honor Band! Congrats!
Maya Yokanovich (Senior Clarinetist in the Wind Symphony), was a clarinetist in the UWEC Honor Band. Bravo!
The following Stillwater Band students were named to the SEC All Conference Band and Orchestra!
Grace Zimmer, Senior Flutist
Allison Shaw, Junior Flutist
Hannah Sween, Junior Flutist
Thomas Meyer, Junior Oboist
Maya Yokanovich, Senior Clarinetist
Colin Welch, Sophomore Bassoonist
Hayden Block, Senior Alto Saxophonist
Anna Novalany, Junior Baritone Saxophonist
Louisa Zeuli, Senior Trumpet
Nathan Haupt, Senior Tubist
Nathan Doely, Senior Tubist
Smart Music
We have begun full use of SmartMusic, the music performance software that allows students to practice smarter and better. All of our students have access to the class assignments and nearly 60 have paid $23 through Feepay to have complete access to the full benefits of this program. We cannot emphasize enough how useful this tool can be to a young musician. If your student is interested in having their own subscription, please go on to Feepay.
Teaming and Lessons for our Symphonic Band and Concert Band
We have completed our third cycle of lessons for the Symphonic Band and Concert Band. These group lessons allow us to assist students with various issues of their playing, working through advanced technical issues and assisting them with their instrument and potential upgrades. We have a wonderful group of freshman and sophomores that are really making great strides in their playing.
Stillwater Area High School Bands 