Thursday, December 20, 2012

WLA Christmas 2012 - Live Stream

Tune in by 1 PM on Friday, December 21, 2012 for the WLA Christmas Concert "On This Day" live stream. Click here to download the program.
Live streaming by Ustream

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

1st WLA Christmas Concert Cancelled

Due to the forecasted blizzard for Thursday, Dec 20, 2012, not only are classes for WLA cancelled, but the evening Christmas Concert scheduled for 7 PM is also cancelled.

The 2nd concert, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 21 at 1 PM is still scheduled to be performed. Please visit www.wlavikings.org for more information.

Monday, November 12, 2012

WELS 2012 West Regional Choralfest Live Streams

West Lutheran High School is hosting the West Regional Choral Festival on November 16-18, 2012. The Pops Concert Stream begins Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:00 PM. The Sacred Concert Stream begins Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2:30 PM. For more information, contact the West Lutheran High School choir director, Greg Baures, at 763-509-9378 or go to www.welsfinearts.org.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Shoreland East Regional Choralfest 2012 Live Streams

The WLA Academy Kids are traveling this weekend to Shoreland Lutheran HS in Somers, WI to participate and perform in the WELS East Regional Choral Festival.  The Pops Concert will be live streamed at 7:00 PM Central on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012.  The Sacred Concert will be live streamed on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012 at 2:00 PM.  For the schedule of the weekend of more information about both regional WELS Choral Festivals, go to www.welsfinearts.org.

Sacred Concert Live Stream:
 
Video streaming by Ustream Pops Concert Streams: Part 1 (Michigan LHS Festival Singers)
Video streaming by Ustream Part 2 (Huron Valley LHS Hawk Singers, Nebraska LHS Knights of the Round Table, Illinois LHS Michatam, Luther Prep School Prep Singers, Lakeside LHS Swing Choir, Wisconsin LHS/Wisco Kids)
Video streaming by Ustream Part 3 (String Orchestra, beginning of Wisconsin LHS/Inspiration)
Video streaming by Ustream Part 4 (Wisconsin LHS/Inspiration, Kettle Moraine LHS Echoes)
Video streaming by Ustream Part 5 (WLA Academy Kids, Manitowoc LHS Lancer Singers, Fox Valley LHS Choraliers, Shoreland LHS Fextival Singers & Festival Choir)
Video streaming by Ustream

Sunday, October 21, 2012

WLA Fall Concert 2012 - Live Stream

Join the Fine Arts Department and students of Winnebago Lutheran Academy on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 7 PM Central for the annual Fall Concert featuring the Traveling Choir, Academy Kids, Concert Choir, and Concert Band. Download a PDF file of the program.
Live stream videos at Ustream

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

WLA Skit Night 2012 Live Stream

Did you miss the WLA Skit Night 2012? Do you just want to see your favorite parts all over again? You're in luck! Click below to watch. This stream went live Friday, October 5 at 6:00 PM.  Click here to view the program. Program design and artwork by WLA senior, Zach Hawley.


Live video from your iPhone using Ustream

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Repertoire Announced for Eric Whitacre Concert at Carnegie Hall

I can't stop my heart from pounding! (Nor do I want to!)

Here's the list of music that the WLA Traveling Choir will be singing in the Distinguished Concerts Internation New York (DCINY) concert under the direction of Eric Whitacre at Carnegie Hall on March 24, 2013 (8:30 PM):

Alleluia
Hal Leonard - HL 08754807


(for the Band geeks out there, do you hear October in Alleluia?)



“little man in a hurry”
No. 5 from The City and the Sea
Hal Leonard - HL 08753351


Cloudburst
Hal Leonard - HL 08500165


Sleep
Hal Leonard - HL 08501462


“After Great Pain”
from Songs of Immortality
(World Premiere)

little tree
Colla Voce – 36-20108

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

UW-Whitewater Music Department Open House 10/8/12


University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Music Department Open House - October 8, 2012

Dear Music Colleague,

I am writing to invite you, your students, and their parents to our Music Department Open House on Monday, October 8. This is an event designed for talented high school musicians who are exploring the possibility of college level music study.

Your students can plan on an interesting and information-packed morning.  In addition to meeting our faculty, they’ll hear a presentation on careers in music and our degree programs, specifics about what they can expect as a music major at Whitewater, and how best to prepare for music study. We will also have information on music department scholarships. They’ll get to tour our facilities, and have a chance to meet with faculty members from their specific area of interest—one of the best ways to sample college music study. Finally, they will have the opportunity to sit in on music classes and rehearsals throughout the day. A detailed Open House schedule can be found on the music website. The general schedule is as follows:

8:15-8:45 - Registration and mingling (Greenhill Center of the Arts, Atrium)
8:45-9:00 - Welcome and faculty introductions
9:00-9:35 - Careers in music and preparing for musical study
9:35-9:55 - Break / questions and answers
9:55-10:45 - Meetings with studio faculty (brass, keyboard, percussion, strings, and woodwinds)
11:00 – Campus tour or observe classes
12:00 – (Optional) – Reassemble for final Q&A, followed by a tour of UWW Music facilities, or observe afternoon classes and rehearsals

To register, students can visit our website (music.go.uww.edu):  simply click the “join us!” link to fill out an online registration form or to download a form to send by mail.  They may also register by phone:  just call the Music Department at 1-800-621-8744. Please register byOctober 1st. They will receive a confirmation by email. The confirmation will include directions to UW-Whitewater and information regarding parking. Students should plan to arrive between 8:15 to 8:30 a.m., in order to have a chance to meet faculty informally.

I hope to meet you and your students in October, and I hope that you will pass the word on to students who are considering university music study!

Sincerely, Frank Hanson
-------------------------------
Dr. Frank Hanson
Professor / Chair, Department of Music
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
800 W. Main Street
Whitewater, WI  53190

Sunday, August 19, 2012

WLA Traveling Choir Church Schedule 2012-2013

Below is this year's Traveling Choir church schedule for leading worship in the WLA Association Congregations.  Beginning this year the WLA Traveling Choir and I will be visiting one-third of the WLA Association congregations each school year, with the other two-thirds being visited by WLA's Principal, Dave Schroeder, and WLA's DCMA, Pastor John Boggs.

(Sat.) October 13, 2012 – St. Luke's, Knowles (5:00 PM)
October 14, 2012 – St. Paul's, Town Lomira (10:00 AM)
October 28, 2012 – St. John's, Lomira (8:00 & 10:00 AM)
December 2, 2012 – St. John's, Montello (8:00 AM) & Emmanuel, Mecan (10:00 AM)
December 16, 2012 – Zion, Van Dyne (10:00 AM)
January 13, 2013 – Redeemer, Fond du Lac (7:45 & 10:15 AM)
January 20, 2013 – Trinity, Dundee (8:00 & 9:30 AM)
February 3, 2013 – Living Water, Oshkosh (9:00 AM)
February 10, 2013 – Grace, Waupun (9:00 AM)
February 17, 2013 – St. Peter's, Kekoskee (9:00 AM)
February 24, 2013 – St. Matthew’s, Iron Ridge (9:00 AM) & ZKC, Iron Ridge (10:30 AM)
April 14, 2013 – St. Paul's, Manchester (10:00 AM)
April 21, 2013 – St. Paul's, North Fond du Lac (7:45 & 10:15 AM)

The entire three year rotation is listed below.


CHURCH
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Bethlehem, Oshkosh
DCMA
Principal
TC
Emmanuel, Hartford
DCMA
Principal
TC
Emmanuel, Mecan
TC
DCMA
Principal
Faith, Fond du Lac
Principal
TC
DCMA
Faith, Oshkosh
DCMA
Principal
TC
Good Shepherd, Fond du Lac
Principal
TC
DCMA
Good Shepherd, Plymouth
DCMA
Principal
TC
Grace, Oshkosh
DCMA
Principal
TC
Grace, Pickett
Principal
TC
DCMA
Grace, Waupun
TC
DCMA
Principal
Immanuel, Campbellsport
DCMA
Principal
TC
Immanuel, Oshkosh
Principal
TC
DCMA
Living Water, Oshkosh
TC
DCMA
Principal
Martin Luther, Oshkosh
Principal
TC
DCMA
Mt. Zion, Ripon
Principal
TC
DCMA
Peace, Green Lake
DCMA
Principal
TC
Redeemer, Fond du Lac 
TC
DCMA
Principal
St. John’s, Fox Lake
Principal
TC
DCMA
St. John’s, Lomira
TC
DCMA
Principal
St. John’s, Markesan
Principal
TC
DCMA
St. John’s, Montello
TC
DCMA
Principal
St. John’s, Princeton
Principal
TC
DCMA
St. Luke’s, Knowles
TC
DCMA
Principal
St. Luke’s, Oakfield
Principal
TC
DCMA
St. Matthew’s, Iron Ridge
TC
DCMA
Principal
St. Paul’s Manchester
TC
DCMA
Principal
St. Paul’s, Brownsville
Principal
TC
DCMA
St. Paul’s, North Fond du Lac
TC
DCMA
Principal
St. Paul’s, Town Lomira
TC
DCMA
Principal
St. Paul’s, Town of Forest
DCMA
Principal
TC
St. Peter’s, Eldorado
DCMA
Principal
TC
St. Peter’s, Fond du Lac
DCMA
Principal
TC
St. Peter’s, Kekoskee
TC
DCMA
Principal
St. Peter’s, Theresa
DCMA
Principal
TC
Trinity, Dundee
TC
DCMA
Principal
Trinity, Hartford
DCMA
Principal
TC
Zion, Kingston
Principal
TC
DCMA
Zion, Oshkosh
Principal
TC
DCMA
Zion, Theresa
DCMA
Principal
TC
Zion, Van Dyne
TC
DCMA
Principal
Zum Kripplein Christi, Iron Ridge
TC
DCMA
Principal

Thursday, August 16, 2012

WLA Fine Arts Calendar 2012-2013


WLA FINE ARTS CALENDAR
2012-2013

Click here to download a PDF file of this calendar

Sun., Oct. 21, 2012 (7:00 PM) – Fall Concert
Nov. 2, 3, 4, 2012 – WLA Musical - Annie
Sun., Nov. 4, 2012 (4:30 PM) – Area Reformation Service at St. Peter’s, FDL
Nov. 9-11, 2012 – WELS East Regional Choralfest at Shoreland LHS, Sommers, WI
Fri., Nov. 9, 2012 (7:00 PM) – WELS East Regional Pops Concert–Shoreland LHS, Sommers, WI
Sun., Nov. 11, 2012 (2:00 PM) – WELS East Regional Sacred Concert–Shoreland LHS, Sommers, WI
Sat. Dec. 8, 2012 (4:30 PM) – Winter Band Concert (HS & GS)
Thu., Dec. 20, 2012 (7:00 PM) – Christmas Concert 1
Fri., Dec. 21, 2012 (1:00 PM) – Christmas Concert 2
Sun., Jan. 27, 2013 (11:30 AM-4:30 PM) – Let’s Celebrate Day
Sat., Mar. 2, 2013 (8:00 AM-4:00 PM) – WSMA Flyway District VOCAL Solo Ensemble Festival at Mayville HS
Fri., Mar. 8, 2013 (1:00-3:00 PM) – Dress Rehearsal at St. Peter’s, FDL
Sat., Mar. 9, 2013 (8:00 AM-4:00 PM) – WSMA Flyway District INSTRUMENTAL Solo Ensemble Festival at Mayville HS
Sun., Mar. 10, 2013 (2:00 PM) – Hymn Festival at St. Peter’s, FDL
Sun., Mar. 24, 2013 - WLA Traveling Choir performance at Carnegie Hall, NY
Wed., Apr. 17, 2013 (8:30 AM-12:30 PM) – WSMA Flyway District Choir Concert Festival
Wed., Apr. 24, 2013 (6:00-8:00 PM) – WSMA State Finalists Recital (Choir Room)
Sat., Apr. 27, 2013 (8:00 AM-4:00 PM) – WSMA State Solo Ensemble Festival at UW-Oshkosh
(TBA) WSMA Flyway District Band Concert Festival
Sun., May 19, 2013 (7:00 PM) – Spring Concert (Gym)
Sun., May 26, 2013 – WLA Graduation Service
Mon., May 27 (10:00 AM) – Memorial Day Parade

Monday, August 13, 2012

WLA Theme Song 2012-2013

Hot off the presses! (Do they even have presses anymore?) The 2012-2013 WLA theme song, You Have the Words is composed in verse and refrain song structure using the text John 6:68, "“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."  The verses are a summary of John 6 and  explore how the story of Jesus Feeding of the 5000 applies not only to the refrain (verse 68), but also to our life today and life forever in heaven.

Click here to access a Dropbox folder containing:
  • a PDF file of the score containing piano accompaniment a vocal lead sheet with guitar chords
  • an mp3 recording of myself singing
  • an mp3 file of the accompaniment
  • and a MIDI file of the accompaniment
If any of the files don't download, or you need something else, please contact me at dwitte@mac.com and I'll be happy to get you what you need!

Friday, June 22, 2012

My Understanding of "Understanding"


I'm taking an online course this summer from Martin Luther College in Curriculum and Instruction in the Middle and Secondary School as a requirement of their post-baccalaureate program to get a K-12 Vocal Music Classroom Minnesota state teaching license. I haven't taken graduate level courses since 1997 when I got my Master of Church Music degree from Concordia University Chicago (then it was called Concordia College, River Forest, IL).  I just finished an assignment to write my definition of the word "understanding".  Since it's not something that I've thought of very much in the past, I thought I'd post my answer here just in case I ever want to find my thoughts again!

"Understanding" is one of those words that we use and think we know the definition for, but when called on to define it, we struggle to put it into empirical words.  Therefore, to define "understanding" I will give examples of what it isn't, followed by examples of what it is (page numbers refer to Understanding by Design, expanded 2nd ed., Ch.2 by Wiggins & McTighe). After listing what it is and isn't, I'll give my own definition, followed by one example to clarify my definition.

Understanding is not:

  • mere knowledge of isolated facts (p. 37)
  • a pattern of information (p. 38)
  • rote memorization, teaching to the test, drilling, or recall of information (p. 40)
  • the mere definition or translation of a word (p. 42)
  • "covering" information
  • being booksmart (p. 52)

Understanding is: 

  • doing something with pieces of knowledge (constructing meaning, synthesizing information) (p. 41)
  • making meaning of facts and transferring knowledge to other problems, tasks, and domains (p. 46)
  • the ability to find patterns in information and to use those patterns to contract meaning from their observation (p. 38)
  • the transfer of knowledge into meaning (p. 44)
  • the ability to decode, read, and authentically and stylistically perform new material (pp. 40-41)
  • an individual's ability to self-assess, self-critique, and self-correct (p. 41)
  • knowing when and how to apply isolated knowledge to solve a problem or answer a question (p. 42)
  • the process of "trying out" solutions to a problem, which may or may not be "correct", and analyzing their effectiveness until a stable solution is gained (p. 46)
  • using knowledge thoughtfully and applying knowledge effectively in diverse settings – that is, to do the subject (p. 48)
  • to apply an abstraction (to perform) in a practical way (p. 49)
  • having "street cred", that is to be smart in real-world solutions (p. 52)

My definition of "understanding" then, would be using knowledge and isolated facts to come up with an overarching conclusion (paradigm) which is irrefutable.  One example of "understanding" I would like to propose is the ability to provide an idiomatic translation of a foreign text into any other language which captures both the spirit and the essence of the original language (from discussion on Bible translations at the Northern WI District Convention, FVLHS, June 12-13, 2012).

Thursday, May 24, 2012

WLA Graduation 2012 Live Stream

Come join us in praising God for the Winnebago Lutheran Academy Graduating Class of 2012 on May 27, 2012 at 2:30 PM (UTC-5).
Live video by Ustream

Thursday, May 17, 2012

"Let It Shine" CD Arrived Today!

Traveling Choir's new CD arrived in the mail today!  The title, "Let It Shine" comes from the song, "This little light of mine, I'm going to LET IT SHINE," which is exactly what TC has done this school year in 23 churches of the WLA association.  They have sung God's praises in a church service which was based on the WLA theme passage "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness." (Joshua 24:14).  You can hear the final church service here and view the bulletin here.

CDs are available from me for $20 and a digital download is also available for $16.99 on TuneSwoon.com.  I still have a couple CDs from last year ("By Faith") and the digital download of "By Faith" is always available from TuneSwoon.com as well.  Thanks to Aaron Green and Chris Ashwood of Legacy Productions for their fine work for a second year in a row!

1. All That Hath Life and Breath, Praise Ye the Lord! (René Clausen)
2. Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia (CW Supplement 719)
3. Lord, Have Mercy (Pepper Choplin)
4. The Word Was God (Rosephayne Powell)
5. Now Fear the Lord (Dale Witte)
6. Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled (David Haas)
7. When You Pass Through the Waters (Paul D. Weber)
8. Jerusalem the Golden (arr. Richard Proulx)
9. Lamb of God (Twila Paris, arr. Lloyd Larson)
10. My Faith Looks Up to Thee (arr. Daniel Kallmann)
11. This Little Light of Mine (arr. Dale Witte)
12. Benediction/May the Peace of God (Keith Getty & Stuart Townend)
13. God's Word Is Our Great Heritage (CW 293)
14. The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Peter Lutkin)

Monday, April 23, 2012

WSMA State Finalist's Recital • Wed. Apr. 25, 2012 • 6 PM • WLA Choir Room

Scores from the 2012 Wisconsin School Music Association UW-Oshkosh State Solo Ensemble Festival are posted below in RED. WLA had 21 entries this year, with 13 receiving 1st place ratings and 8 receiving 2nd place ratings.  For the third year in a row, WLA students were awarded an Exemplary Soloist Award: Jonathan Witte (Jr.) for his trumpet solo and Libby Adelmeyer (Jr.) for her Italian aria.  Congratulations to both of them for being recognized as some of the best high school musicians in the state of Wisconsin!

Marta Kerr • Violin Solo • Romance Op. 50 (Beethoven) • 2
Britt Becker • Lever Harp Solo • Canon in D (Pachelbel) • 1
Bethany Westphal • Soprano Solo • Se tu m'ami (Pergolesi) • 2
Libby Adelmeyer • Music Theater-Female Role • In His Eyes (Wildhorn) from Jekyll & Hyde • 2
Jonathan Witte • Trumpet Solo • Concerto in E Flat, Mvt. 1 (Haydn) • 1 Exemplary Soloist Award
Morgan Shafer • Soprano Solo • 2
Merissa Cutter & Jonathan Witte • Piano Duet • Classic Rock (Rocherolle) • 1
Patrick Marchant • Baritone Solo • Tu lo sai (Torelli) • 1
Rebekah Clark • Piano Solo • Swipesy (Joplin) • 1
Libby Adelmeyer • Soprano Solo • Il mio bel foco (Marcello) • 1 Exemplary Soloist Award
Naomi Haag • Piano Solo • Bagatelle No. 1, Op. 33 (Beethoven) • 1
Mason Giebel • Baritone Solo • Danza, danza, fanciulla gentile (Durante) • 2
Eric Bilitz • Concert Snare Drum Solo • 2
Jonathan Witte • Piano Solo • Romance Op. 24, No. 9 (Sibelius) • 1
Paul Pacetti • Concert Snare Drum Solo • American Suite, Mvt. 4 & 5 (Gauthreaux) • 1
Erin Jacobs • Music Theater-Female Role • How Could I Ever Know? (Simon) from The Secret Garden • 2
Rebekah Clark • Music Theater-Female Role • 1
Patrick Marchant • Music Theater-Male Role • Empty Chairs at Empty Tables (Schönberg) from Les Miserables • 1
Kailee Coleman • Bb Clarinet Solo • Sonata in C Minor, Mvts. 1, 2, 5 (Telemann) • 1
Eric Bilitz • Drum Set Solo • 2
Paul Pacetti • Marimba Solo • Tango and Mystic Fire (David) • 1

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Traveling Choir Audition Form 2012-2013

WLA students who have had at least one year of choir at WLA are eligible to audition for Traveling Choir for the 2012-2013 school year. You may read and download the WLA Traveling Choir syllabus 2011-2012 for more information. The ideal number of students I am looking for is 48 (12 in a section). Students must fill out the following form before their audition day. Audition requirements are posted here. All auditions must be completed by Friday, May 4.  Sign up on the Choir Room door for an audition time.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

WLA Hymnfest 2012 - Hymns from Christian Worship Supplement

Live streamed Wednesday, April 4 at 7:00 PM (CDT UTC/GMT-5) from St. Peter's Lutheran Church (WELS), 1600 S. Main St., Fond du Lac, WI. Download the Concert Program here.
Free desktop streaming application by Ustream

Friday, March 9, 2012

WELS Regional Bandfest 2012 at WLA

Watch the live stream of the WELS Regional Bandfest 2012
from WLA on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 2:00 PM!


I think the WELS Bandfest is one of the best kept secrets of the instrumental programs of our WELS high schools.  It is an honors band of almost 100 of the best student instrumentalists from the 22 WELS Lutheran high schools scattered around the USA. But unless a regional or national Bandfest is being hosted by a WELS high school in your area or unless you have a son or daughter playing in one, you may have never even heard of it, let alone been to a Bandfest concert.  Winnebago Lutheran Academy is hosting one of the two of this year's regional Bandfests (the other is at Northland Lutheran HS near Wausau this same weekend.)

Schools participating at WLA this weekend are Arizona Lutheran Academy, Evergreen LHS, Fox Valley LHS, Huron Valley LHS, Illinois LHS, Kettle Moraine LHS, Lakeside LHS, Michigan LHS, Nebraska LHS, Luther Prep School, Rocky Mountain LHS, and Winnebago Lutheran Academy.

Click to download the WELS Regional Bandfest 2012 Concert Program to read about guest clinicians, Andrew Mast, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, and Brett Duwe, Percussion Ensemble director at Lakeside LHS, and to learn more about the concert.