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Also New!
The Willmar HS Band is Featured on Click Here to hear the Willmar Pep Band |
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See an excerpt from the Cardinal Band performance at |
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Thanks to KSAX-TV for recognizing the Willmar Cardinal Pep Band as the
"BAND OF THE WEEK" for the second year in a row (Sept. 2006) |
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Click this KSAX-TV logo to see the 2006 video clip
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Click this KSAX-TV logo to see the 2005 video clip |
Click the Willmar Public Schools banner for district info
Sudents are encouraged to utilize the technology available such as:
How are the Sr. High music classes set up?
We currently have 4 blocks of music; (1) Cardinal Band/Choir/Orchestra 2) Varsity Band/Choir/Orchestra, (3) Concert Band/Choir, and (4) Choralaires. "Band only" and "choir only" students in 9th grade will attend Spanish for half of the period. In grades 10-12, all students in just one performance group paricipate in classroom music activities. (See Classroom Music above) All private and small group lessons are given only during the rehearsal period so students are never pulled out of outside classes as they need to be under a traditional seven or eight period day.
If I am in music all 4 years of high school, will I be able to earn enough credits to graduate?
Easily. However, when looking at your schedule be sure to look at the entire four years, not just the next year. It may look difficult if you
only look at your ninth grade schedule. In fact, if you are in more than one performance group, it is much easier to do now than under a seven period schedule!
Is music a year long program?
We researched many established music programs on the block schedule (including on-campus visits to schools in Minnesota and Colorado) for two full years before we implemented ours and came to two major conclusions. 1) We had to maintain our private and small group lessons and, 2) Schools that were on an alternating day schedule, or had students dropping in and out of the program throughout the year, suffered greatly in the quality of their education and performances. The two schools in the Central Lakes Conference that do not require year-round participation have unquestionably performed at the lowest levels at the annual CLC Music Festival. It is obvious that the result has been dissatisfying to the conductors and students of those programs. In fact, directors of those schools state the main reason for this is the lack of continuity in the 9-12 grade music program. We want to provide the highest possible quality music experience for your child while they are member of the performing groups at Willmar Senior High. Performance, whether it is singing or playing an instrument, is a skill. That skill takes constant upgrading, monitoring and practice. Every individual in each performing group counts on the presence and contribution of every other individual in that group. It is imperative that performing groups be able to rehearse and perform for the full school year without membership change.
Is the block schedule having any effect on enrollment in music?
Before the block schedule, this school system had 3 choirs, 3 bands, and 2 orchestras. After the block schedule we have 4 choirs, and still maintain 3 bands and 2 orchestras. Numbers have risen in all ensembles. The most exciting comparisons come when looking at the numbers of students participating in more than one ensemble. Before the block schedule we had only a few seniors in more than one music group, this year there are approximately 50.
If I'm in music will I have time to take Advanced Placement classes and a foreign language?Although we can't insure that you would be able to fit all the classes you want into your four years here, we did survey our students in the Cardinal Band (our top band), of which over two-thirds are in choir and/or orchestra, about class choices.
Have you taken at least one Advanced Placement class?
Have you taken more than the required math classes?
Have you taken at least two years of foreign language.For each question, a large majority of the group replied "yes". Everyone said they had been able to take more than the minimum requirement to graduate. We are convinced that a student is able to take more of these advanced classes (in addition to music) under the our current scheduling system than with the seven period schedule.
What else is available to me in music if I do sign up for music at the Sr. High?We have many extra curricular activities in the Sr. High Music Department. Some of the things the choir has done in the past few years are Seventh Rendition (pop group), Guys and Dolls (pop group), 9th Pop Group, Madrigal Singers, Carolers, and the musical cast. Members of our three concert bands have also put together Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Dixieland Band, Flute Quartet, and the pit band for the musical. From time to time we may be asked to put together a group for a special occasion that we don't regularly schedule, such as for conventions, the national anthem for games, etc. For many years, all three areas of music have taken students to the State High School League Solo/Ensemble Contest as soloists and ensembles of all sizes. We have also had students take part in many music festivals put on by colleges and universities in and around our state. You may also audition to be a part of the MMEA All-State Band, Choir, or Orchestra as a 10th or 11th grader.
The bottom line is that a great deal of time and thought went into this schedule to make it as good as it can be. It is not perfect, but we think our numbers show that based on our current resources, our system offers a wider variety and a better educational delivery system than any other on the block schedule that we have seen to date. We have heard many great performances from your class and are looking forward to making music with all of you. We would like to see every one of this year's 8th graders sign up to be a part of what we feel is a wonderful music program when registration takes place this February!
