Welcome to Kenyon-Wanamingo High School
On May, 9th at 7 p.m. the Kenyon-Wanamingo High School Music department will present a concert around the theme of Hope!
With the tragic loss of music student Rachel Nesseth in August, along with the recent passing of beloved band director Gary Skundberg there is a desperate need for HOPE and HEALING in our communities. The music programmed for this concert speaks to the heart!
With the ambitious efforts of Sidney Majerus and the KW band and choir officers, a 5K was organized to raise money for a new work to be commissioned in memory of Rachel. To Realms Above by Carl Holmquist will be premiered on this evening. Additionally, a second piece, A Song of Joys by Jesse Beulke, was composed to honor the legacy of Gary Skundberg. This piece will also see its premiere (which has been on hold since the COVID pandemic). TWO premieres in one evening is truly unprecedented. In addition to these two premieres, the audience will be inspired by Chasing Sunlight by Cait Nishimura and Infinite Hope by Brian Balmages (band) along with Inscription of Hope by Z. Randall Stroppe and Music of Living by Dan Forrest (choir) among others.
The Spring Concert at Kenyon-Wanamingo High School has also been the setting for honoring our senior music students and recognizing our award winners in the High School Band and Choir. The JP Sousa Award, Directors, Cadenza, Encore, Louis Armstrong, Woody Herman along with the National School Choral Award will all be announced this evening.
The Kenyon and Wanamingo communities are warmly invited to spend the evening of May 9th in the spirit of HOPE and HEALING-as we look to music to be that balm which soothes our soul in difficult times.
Claire Larson
she, her, hers
Director of Bands
Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools
Congratulations to K-W Triple "A' Award Nominees
Cal Luebke and Ashley Rechtzigel
Cal Luebke and Ashley Rechtzigel, K-W High School seniors, were selected locally to represent Kenyon-Wanamingo High School in the Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award program. Established in 1988, the Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award (Triple ‘A’ Award) is sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League. The award goes to high school seniors who have a “B” or better grade point average and who participate in League-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities. Congratulations to Cal and Ashley on being nominated for this Award!
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High School Band and Choir Concert
Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m.
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From Claire Larson, October 23, 2022:
Shortly after
Rachel Nesseth’s death, the band and choir officers met to discuss how we could keep her memory alive! There were many ideas generated. One idea we all agreed on was having a piece commissioned in her memory.
We contacted several composers who might be a good fit to do this. We were extraordinarily lucky to get
Carl Holmquist to compose a piece. The cool thing about music is that it lives in perpetuity! This piece- which will capture the spirit of Rachel- will
be played and sung by hundreds of bands and choirs all over the US forever! Students will read Rachel’s name on the dedication and a little piece of her is spread far and wide!
Everyone who came out this morning- helped to support this project.
I’m attaching a picture of Carl Holmquist along with a link to his bio and website. www.carlholmquist.com
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Homecoming 2022! Congratulations King Alex and Queen Emma!
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