Samantha Schwanke/Winonan
To honor Gala weekend, occurring April 19-21 for the Winona State University music department, the National Association of Music Educators on campus would like to let everyone know about their future plans for getting the community involved with arts programs on campus.
“Our main focus is to bring music awareness to the Winona State community,” Michael Meyer, a senior music education major and National Association of Music Educators president, said. “March is National Music in the Schools Month and starting next spring, Winona’s collegiate chapter will be hosting Music Fest!”
Music Fest will consist of children, parents and music educators coming to Winona State to participate in a day of musical fun.
“There will be music games, singing games and many more activities for the students to hone their musical skills and have fun learning about music,” Meyer said.
This will give kids a hands-on experience with students and music, while also letting parents see all the opportunities that the arts can give their children. It’ll also be good for music education students on campus; they will have the opportunity to work with their future students and use their college skills to teach lessons throughout the day.
Meyer gave testimonies from two music education majors on campus, sophomore instrumentalist Jenny Pierce and freshman singer Brooke May.
Both Pierce and May talked about how their past educators have influenced their career choices. Neither one of them would’ve decided to be a music education teacher if it hadn’t been for their fine arts teachers along the way.
“I cannot express how exciting it is for me to be able to pursue my dream of being involved in music and being able to share it with others as a music educator,” Pierce said.
Another main focus of Music Fest is to show the students on campus’ appreciation of their past and current arts educators. and private lesson teachers. Music Fest wants to show people outside the arts community the importance of arts in the schools and how it has influenced Winona State students.
“I have had three substantial musical figures in my life, one being my voice and piano teacher, and the others being my two choir directors,” May said. “Without them, I would not be the person I am today. I would love to someday help students the way they have helped me.”
The National Association of Music Educators would also like to emphasis how music helps students beyond the fine arts arena.
“[Music has] come into play in so many other areas of my life,” Pierce said. “Academics, sports, friendships and spirituality are just a few of the areas I have been able to use musicianship and music outside of the music classroom.”
This goes to show that individual talents can be translated to many aspects of a person’s life to help them build overall in their life and community.
Gala weekend starts off April 19 with the Jazz Ensemble playing at 7:30 p.m. on the Performing Arts Center Main Stage. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for seniors and students.
The Winona State Chamber Orchestra will play Saturday at 3:00 p.m., also on the main stage, and the concert is free to everyone.
Also on Saturday, the Winona State Choir will be singing “An American Choral Portrait” at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage. Tickets will be $12 for adults and $8 for students with ID’s.
The weekend finishes off with the Winona State Symphonic Wind Ensemble playing on the main stage on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. This concert is also free for everyone.
If you have any questions about Gala Weekend or Music Fest please email Dr. Schmidt at [email protected], Michael Meyer at [email protected] or Samantha Schwanke at [email protected].
Contact Samantha at [email protected]
