Large Group 3/5/26

Band Families,

Thursday March 5th and we look forward to having all four of our concert bands perform as well as hosting a number of schools from both near and far.  A schedule for each band can be found  here. 

Since this event takes place during the school day, we cannot offer viewing for family members. Some of the pieces will be carried over to the Spring concerts and would be a great opportunity to see those pieces performed instead. Thank you for your understanding. 

Students from all bands will be signed out on a field trip (to the PAC) for the following time: 

9:30am - 2:00pm

Band ASR will be  closed to all students  except Chamber Winds

Chamber Winds students will sign up for Band ASR (under Mr. Ver Voort) for their clinic time. 

Things to Know about the event

Similar to marching band state, this festival gathers groups of schools who fall in our division (based on school size) and brings them together to perform for adjudication.  Our guest clinicians for this year's event is  Dr.  Ceon Rumphs, Instructor of Music and Conductor of Wind Ensemble at Lawrence University and  Dr. Glenn Hayes Professor of Music at UW-Whitewater.  Each band will receive a 30 min clinic with one of the guest clinicians after their performance.  

In addition to these two clinicians we will be  adjudicated and scored by three state sanctioned judges. Each group will be provided a  rating I - V. This rating will be accompanied by recorded feedback and score sheets for student growth. 

All students will need to arrive at school in  concert attire (all black including shoes and socks) and ensure that they have both music and instruments.  This event is our yearly adjudication and is an excellent opportunity for us to display the hard work and dedication your students spend in music to both our guests and to our state organization. 

All instruments stored inside the band room or Jazz room (Percussion, Tuba, Contrabass Clarinet, etc.) will need to be removed prior to the start of the event at 8:30AM.  As the band room and jazz room will be used as a warm up for other visiting groups we will not have access to them throughout the day, please plan accordingly. Instruments stored in band locker rooms or in halfway lockers do not apply.

After we conclude our portion of the performance and adjudication students will have the opportunity to watch other bands performances.  It is important that we watch and support our guests.

UW-Eau Claire/Chamber Winds Collaboration Concert 3/4/26

Band Families, 

On  Wednesday March 4th we will be hosting the UW-Eau Claire Wind Symphony for a collaboration event and concert during their ensemble tour! 

This will be a joint concert with UW-Eau Claire and the MHS Chamber Winds. All students are encouraged to come to the performance to both support your classmates and to see the incredible performances by the UW-Eau Claire Wind Symphony including works by Adam Wojtasaik, David A. Baker, Frank Ticheli, Norman Dello Joio, Zhou Tian, and Nicole Piiunno. The concert will close with the two ensembles combining for a finale! Chamber Winds will play selections from their music for the Large Group Festival. 

Chamber Winds students will have time to change into concert attire, but will stay at school following the end of the school day to have a joint dinner with UW-Eau Claire's students and more details to come soon. 

Solo & Ensemble THIS SATURDAY 2/14

Hello MHS band families,

Here is some important information about our upcoming Solo & Ensemble festival THIS SATURDAY 2/14!

1. Online Schedule

The schedule for the day is available  online.  Note that for ensembles, only one student's name is listed.  You may need to ask your student for help locating their ensemble event.

2. Adult Volunteer Sign-Up

PLEASE, if you are able, sign up for a volunteer shift.  Our biggest need is room monitors.  It's an easy but critical job.  We have 19(!) performance sites and shifts throughout the day, so please help out if you can!  The festival can't run without you!

3. Attire

Students should "dress nice."  Think collared shirt and slacks, or the equivalent.  Do not wear heels or a necktie unless you're used to performing in them.  Concert black is acceptable but not required or expected.  Coordinate with your group if you would like.

4. Judge's Copies

Remember that the judge must have a legal, purchased copy of the music for your performance.  If you got your piece from the school, the school owns a judge's copy that you may borrow on Saturday.  If you got your piece from your private instructor, you are responsible for providing your own judge's copy, as the school may or may not own a copy.  (Questions?  Ask Mr. V as soon as possible.)

5. Recorded Accompaniments

Some students are performing with a recording instead of a live piano accompanist.  If so, your room will have a speaker system for you to plug into.  The system will have Lightning, USB-C, and Aux (1/8") availability, so you should be able to plug in a phone, laptop, or Chromebook.  Make sure you have practiced (many times) with your recording!!

Mr. V