Eighth graders in Kromrey and Glacier Creek Middle School choirs, bands and orchestras recently performed at the Beyond The Notes Music Festival. The festival was held at the Great Wolf Lodge on April 9-10 and at the Kalahari Resort on May 22-23.
MCPASD middle school musicians were among nearly 5,000 students from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois to participate in more than 115 ensembles at the annual festival. Kromrey and Glacier Creek’s eighth grade choirs performed under the direction of Rachael Billmann and Sue Mielke, and eighth grade bands and orchestras were directed by Kimberly Reynolds, Eric Solberg, Kristen Solom and Anne Vanderbloemen.
This year’s featured guest clinician was Jason Fettig, Director of Bands at the University of Michigan. At the festival, which was free and open to the public, school ensembles performed a variety of selections and participated in interactive clinics with the festival’s guest clinicians. The festival also included time for students to enjoy the resorts’ water parks and adventure parks.
This year’s festival included a new offering, the Rising Music Educators Program. The program allowed music education majors and music educators in the first five years of teaching to shadow and work alongside one of the veteran clinicians. Pope Farm Elementary School music teacher Beth Marshall took advantage of this opportunity.
Beyond The Notes Music Festival creates transformative musical experiences that develop young musicians' skills, knowledge, and emotional growth while supporting educators and advancing music education. Visit the festival’s website for more information.