Music and Theatre Arts Festivals
UW-Eau Claire is host to a variety of music festivals for band, choir, and orchestra students. Each year we we connect outstanding musicians across the region in world class facilities for great educational experiences.
Get Involved with Festivals at UWEC
See the links below for all the information about the annual festival style events we host and find out how you or your school ensemble can get involved.
About the Festival
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is pleased to present the 30th Annual Clearwater Choral Festival at UW-Eau Claire on October 18-19, 2024. The festival will provide high-quality, positive experiences in vocalism and musicianship to gifted high school singers. The festival features performances by various UWEC choral ensembles and student soloists. The Clearwater Festival Honor Choir will be comprised of the top vocal musicians from high schools in the upper Midwest. Under the direction of Dr. Frank A. Watkins and Dr. Christopher McGinley, the two-day festival will feature three performances:
A Cappella Extravaganza Friday, October 18 at 7:30 PM –Schofield Auditorium, Schofield Hall
Tickets may be purchased from the UW-Eau Claire Service Center – 715.836.4636, Option 3
Fifth Element, Callisto, Impromptu, Audacious, Innocent Men, and Memorial High School Noteworthy
Women's Concert Chorale and The Singing Statesmen Concert Saturday, October 19 at 1:15 PM – Gantner Hall, Haas Fine Arts Center
Free admission
Festival Concert Saturday, October 19 at 7:30 PM – Gantner Concert Hall
Tickets may be purchased at https://uwec.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1941
UW-Eau Claire Concert Choir, Novum Voce, Woodbury High School Choir, Festival Honor Choir and soloists
2024 Featured High School Choir Woodbury High School Choir – Mr. Tony Streng, director
Tony Streng teaches choir at Woodbury High School in Minnesota. A native of Saint Joseph, Minnesota, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in music and education from the University of Minnesota, Morris; and a master of arts degree in music education with emphasis in choir music from the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul. Tony has taught choir and classroom music for eighteen years to students in grades k - 12 and adults in suburban, urban and rural settings in Minnesota. Tony spent one summer teaching choir and acting in China.
One of Tony’s choirs was selected to perform at the Minnesota Music Educators Association conference. Another one of Tony’s choirs was invited to perform at the international Alpha Delta Kappa convention. Choirs Tony has led have earned superior awards at Minnesota State High School League large group contests. Tony has presented a workshop titled “Elevate student voice: Small group work in choir” at professional conferences.
The hope of Woodbury High School Choirs is for students to discover purpose, build connections and make a difference. We creatively incorporate dance, spoken word, acting and visual art into our performance to boldly tell our story. We strive to build a safe community and celebrate the success of our peers.
Tony’s personal mission is to love, uplift and inspire all students that walk through his door. Tony is thankful for the administrators at Woodbury High School, the teachers he has studied with, and the support of his family. In his free time, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife Kristina, daughter Alethia (two years) and son Caleb (eight months). Tony also enjoys hiking, traveling and woodworking.
Application Process
Festival Registration Form
Directors may nominate up to 40 talented singers using the online application – representation from each voice part (SATB) preferred. Nominations are due October 2, 2024. Directors will be notified of selected students starting October 6, 2024.
Repertoire
Last Words of David – Randall Thompson
EC Schirmer – 2294
Gloria from Mass in G – Franz Schubert arr. Russell Robinson
Carl Fischer Music Publishing - CM9306
Where the Light Begins – Susan Labarr
Walton Music - WW1939
Hope Lingers On – Andrea Ramsey
Musicpoke Publishing
Packet price per individual member: $11.15 plus shipping
The Musician's Choice, LLC
1520 North Church Road –Suite D
Liberty, MO 64068
816.781.9700
themusicianschoice@yahoo.com
Practice Tracks Practice tracks are available HERE!
Fees
The participation fee for each student is $30.00 (does not cover cost of music), and is payable upon registration on October 21, 2023. Participating students will receive a complimentary digital recording of the final concert and a Clearwater Festival T-shirt. All meals will be on your own while attending the festival. Checks for the participation fee ($30 per student) will be collected at registration and should be made payable to the UWEC Choral Area. No school purchase orders, please.
*Any students that drop after October 13th, 2024 or do not attend the festival the day of will be charged only $15 per student to cover their festival t-shirt and food expenses.
Application Form Festival Registration Form Nominations for the 2024 festival will begin September 11, 2023.
Outstanding Vocalist Award
UW –Eau Claire Choral Festival Scholarship, $1500.00
The UW-Eau Claire Department of Music offers $1,500.00 in Choral Scholarship(s) to qualifying high school senior members of the Clearwater Festival Honor Choir. Participants must prepare a memorized classical solo for the audition. The Voice/Choral Faculty will determine scholarship recipients; outstanding vocalist(s) will perform at the Festival Concert, Saturday evening. Scholarship recipients are required to participate in a choral ensemble at UW-Eau Claire during the 2025-26 academic year in order to receive the scholarship.
About the Festival
Date Thursday, January 16, 2025
Location: UW-Eau Claire Haas Fine Arts Center, Gantner Concert Hall
Times: Registration begins at 8:15 am in the Haas Fine Arts Lobby
Rehearsal begins at 9:00 am
Concert 6:00 pm - $9.00 general admission
Honor Choirs: This festival will provide singers with a high-quality, positive experience in vocalism, musicianship, and leadership. The Middle Level Honor Choirs will consist of two combined 7th and 8th grade choirs: SATB and SSA.
Application: 2025 UWEC Middle School Honor Choir Application Application Link
Application Process: Directors may nominate talented seventh and eighth grade singers using the online application – representation from each voice part (SATB) preferred. Nominations are due Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Directors will be notified of selected students December 13, 2024.
Guest Artists/Clinicians: 2025 Middle Level Honor Choir Clinicians will be announced November 1, 2024. (Additional Details)
Repertoire: 2025 Middle Level Honor Choir Repertoire will be announced November 1, 2024. (Additional Details)
FEES
The registration fee is $30.00 per student (no cost for directors) and is payable at registration January 16, 2025.
Participating students will receive a commemorative Honor Choir T-shirt and a pizza dinner. Each school will receive an audio recording of the concert. Registration fee ($30 per student) will be collected at registration and should be made payable to the UW-Eau Claire Choral Area. No school purchase orders please.
Registration: Complete the online registration form by Friday, December 6, 2024
*All students that drop after December 30th, 2024 or do not attend the festival, will be charged $15 (per student) to cover festival expenses.
Practice Tracks: Practice tracks available December 6, 2024
Questions Contact Dr. Frank A. Watkins, Director of Choral Activities (watkinfa@uwec.edu) or Emmett McMorrow, Choral Area Assistant (mcmorrej7668@uwec.edu)
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
This brand new all-day festival will offer students a space to learn and perform within a tenor-bass specific ensemble with singers from across the region. Students will sing repertoire fit for the tenor-bass voice in a supportive and fun atmosphere, and will have the opportunity to participate in side-by-side rehearsals and performance with UWEC's Singing Statesmen. Together, students will learn pieces that are immediately accessible and musically rewarding while experiencing what it is like to sing in a collegiate tenor-bass ensemble.
FESTIVAL LAYOUT
Each school will bring tenors/basses from their high school ensembles. Students will spend the day rehearsing 3-5 pieces side-by-side with our university's Singing Statesmen. The day will consist of break-out sectionals and team-building activities led by the Statesmen and end with a final concert.
APPLICATION
Directors may nominate up to 32 talented singers using the online application. Directors will be notified of selected students prior to the festival.
Applications are due Friday, January 17, 2025
Repertoire, practice tracks and other learning resources can be found here at a later date (Additional Details).
PAYMENT
Fees: The registration fee is $30 per student and is payable at registration February 20, 2025. Checks should be made payable to the UW-Eau Claire Choral Area; we are unable to accept purchase orders. The registration fee covers the Festival T-Shirt, concert recording, morning snacks, and dinner. Lunch is on your own in Eau Claire (or bring a bagged lunch to eat on campus).
*Any students that drop after February 3, 2025 or do not attend the festival the day of will be charged $15 dollars per student to cover their festival t-shirt and food expenses.
CLINICIAN
Dr. Christopher G. McGinley is a dynamic conductor and music educator based in the upper Midwest where he serves as Associate Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Music Director at Trinity Lutheran Congregation in Minneapolis. His choirs are noted for their vibrant and nuanced interpretations of works from diverse eras and genres. A strong advocate for community music, McGinley has served intergenerational choirs in Philadelphia, Wisconsin, and Oregon. He holds degrees in conducting and music education from the University of Minnesota, the University of Oregon, and the University of Delaware and pursued further studies in conducting at the Frost School of Music. His conducting mentors include Kathy Saltzman Romey, Matthew Mehaffey, Karen Kennedy, Sharon Paul, and Paul D. Head.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The UW- Eau Claire Choral area is pleased to present the first annual Treble Choir Choral Festival, at UW-Eau Claire on March 4, 2025.
This new, one-day festival brings together talented high school treble singers from across the region. The festival provides a platform for choral singers to showcase their skills and learn from experienced conductors in a safe and affirming environment. With a focus on promoting life-long singing, and the celebration of music written specifically for treble singers, the UW-Eau Claire Treble Choir Festival is a must-attend event for singers passionate about choral music.
FESTIVAL LAYOUT
The festival is open to all high school treble singers. Under the direction of Dr. Frank A. Watkins, Director of Choral Activities, singers will spend the day rehearsing side-by-side with Women's Concert Chorale (WoCo). The day will consist of break-out sectionals and team-building activities led by WoCo and will end with a final concert.
APPLICATION
Directors may nominate up to 32 talented singers using the online application. Directors will be notified of selected students prior to the festival.
Applications are due Friday, January 17, 2025
Repertoire, practice tracks, and other learning resources can be found here at a later date. (Additional Details).
REGISTRATION DETAILS
The registration fee is $30 per student and is payable at registration March 4, 2025. Checks should be made payable to the UW-Eau Claire Choral Area; we are unable to accept purchase orders. Registration fees provide singers with a festival pencil, part tracks, snacks throughout the day, the concert recording, and a festival T-shirt to be worn during the event and the final concert. Lunch is on your own in Eau Claire (or bring a bagged lunch to eat on campus).
*Any students that drop after February 17, 2025, or do not attend the festival the day of will be charged $15 dollars per student to cover their festival t-shirt and food expenses.
Questions: Contact Dr. Frank A. Watkins, Director of Choral Activities - watkinfa@uwec.edu or Elise Mangan, Choral Area Assistant - manganek7478@uwec.edu
We hope that you will join us!
2024 High School Honor Band Wind Clinic, Op. 58
High School Honor Band
DATE: Saturday, November 2, 2024
LOCATION: The Pablo Center at the Confluence
TIMES: Registration begins at 7:30am in the lobby of the Confluence Center. The concert begins at 7pm in RCU Concert Hall. (Full Schedule of Events)
BANDS: The 2024 UW Eau Claire Honor Band will consist of Four High School Concert Bands. We will have two 9th-10th Grade Bands and two 11th-12th Grade Bands.
APPLICATION: 2024 High School Honor Band Application
APPLICATION PROCESS: Directors will nominate students using the online application. Applications are due Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Directors will be notified of selected students by Wednesday, October 9, 2024. We encourage directors to nominate students in grades 9 through 12.
GUEST ARTISTS/CONDUCTORS: Each year Honor Band participants have the opportunity to collaborate with UW Eau Claire studio faculty member in masterclasses and collaborate with MUED Majors in sectionals. Dr. John R. Stewart, and Dr. Phil Ostrander will serve as guest conductors for the 2024 High School Honor Bands.
FEES: The participation fee is $40 per student (no cost for directors) and is payable at registration on November 2nd. Participating students will receive a catered lunch, an audio recording of the Honor Band Concert and a UW Eau Claire Honor Band t-shirt. No school purchase orders please. Concert tickets for the concert can be purchased online at the Pablo Center.
QUESTIONS: Contact Dr. John R. Stewart, Director of Concert Bands (stewajo@uwec.edu) or our Band Student Assistant (bands@uwec.edu)
2025 UW Eau Claire Middle School Honor Band, Op. 8
Date: Friday, January 24, 2025
Location: Gantner Concert Hall - Haas Fine Arts Center
Times: Registration begins 8:00am - Haas Fine Arts Lobby, Rehearsal begins at 9am , Concert 6:30pm - $9.00 general admission (Additional Details)
Bands: The 2025 UWEC Middle School Honor Band will consist of three combined 7th and 8th Grade Concert Bands.
Application: 2025 UWEC Middle School Honor Band Application
Application Process: Directors will nominate talented 7th and 8th Grade Band students using the online application. Applications are due on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Directors will be notified of selected students starting on Wednesday, December 13, 2024.
Guest Artists/Clinicians: Dr. John R. Stewart, Director of Concert Bands, and Dr. Phil Ostrander will serve as the guest conductors for the 2025 Middle School Honor Bands.
Fees: The participation fee is $40 per student (no cost for directors) and is payable upon registration on January 24, 2025. Participating students will receive an audio recording of the Honor Band Concert, an Honor Band t-shirt, and pizza dinner will be provided. Checks can be paid to UWEC Bands. No school purchase orders please.
Questions: Contact Dr. John R. Stewart, Director of Concert Bands (stewajo@uwec.edu) or Aleah Vincent, Band Student Assistant (bands@uwec.edu)
2025 Concert Band Festival
Date: March 25, 2025
Location: The Pablo Center at the Confluence
About: The UW – Eau Claire Concert Band Festival is a non-competitive event where bands perform on the RCU Theatre stage, receive written and verbal feedback from UW – Eau Claire Band Faculty, guest artists, and a 30-minute clinic. Participating bands are encouraged to be in the audience for two performances throughout the day. The day will conclude with a performance by the UWEC Wind Symphony (tickets will be available at a reduced rate for participants). This clinic festival may be used to fulfill the WSMA Large Group Festival requirement.
Groups will Receive:
- Written and recorded feedback
- One-on-one clinic
- Professional audio and video recording of performance
Registration: Registration is $300 per band. Registration will begin on May 2024, click here to register. Space is limited, so register early. Checks payable to UWEC Bands. To secure your registration, payment must be received by March 1, 2025.
Deadlines: Program info and Seating Diagrams are due by March 1st, 2025
Sample Participant Schedule:
9am – Warmup
9:30am – Performance on RCU Stage
10am – Clinic in JAMF Theatre
10:30am – Pack up instruments.
11am – Watch fellow participant performance.
12pm – Lunch on our own
7:30pm – UW – Eau Claire University Band, Symphony Band, and Wind Symphony Concert
Guest Artist/Clinicians:
Dr. John R. Stewart is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Concert Bands at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire where he conducts the Wind Symphony, teaches courses in conducting and repertoire, supervises student teachers, coordinates the concert band program, and serves as the Wind and Percussion Division Coordinator. Under his leadership, the Wind Symphony has performed at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference, the CBDNA/NBA North Central Division Regional Conference, the Minnesota Music Educators Association Mid-Winter Clinic, and his ensembles have performed across Europe and Southeast Asia. Dr. Stewart maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician across the United States. He completed his Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education (2013) at the University of Minnesota while studying conducting with Craig Kirchhoff. Dr. Stewart earned his Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of South Florida (2009) and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Central Florida (1996).
Prior to his appointment at UWEC, Dr. Stewart was Interim Conductor of the St. Cloud State University Wind Ensemble (Minnesota). Dr. Stewart served as Director of Bands at Saint Cloud High School (Florida) from 1996-2010 where he directed the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Winds, Percussion Ensemble and Marching Band. In 2006, he earned his National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and in 2008 was named the St. Cloud High School "Teacher of the Year."
Dr. Stewart contributed to Teaching Music through Performance in Band: Solos with Wind Band Accompaniment published by GIA Publications, Inc., has published articles in Contributions to Music Education, the Minnesota Music Educators Association Journal, and has presented sessions at the Society for Music Teacher Educators bi-annual conference, the Wisconsin Music Educators Association State Conference, the National Band Association – Wisconsin Chapter State Conference, and the MMEA Mid-Winter Clinic. Forthcoming presentations include the Florida Music Educators Association Convention, the Colorado Music Educators Association Convention and the NBA – Wisconsin Convention in 2020. His current research interests include Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP) and repertoire.
Dr. Stewart presently serves as a member of the board for the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Band Association, and is on the commissioning committee for the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles. His professional affiliations include College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Wisconsin Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles, and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Dr. Phillip Ostrander is Professor of Trombone and Bands at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire where he conducts the Symphony Band, teaches private trombone, and trombone ensemble. Dr. Ostrander completed his doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music. Dr. Ostrander received master's degrees in both trombone and wind conducting from the New England Conservatory, as well as a bachelor's and Performer's Certificate from Eastman. Dr. Ostrander champions diversity in repertoire with the UWEC Symphony Band. The band performs music composed by under-represented composers in every concert, and since 2017, the ensemble’s first concert of the year celebrates music written by female composers. The ensemble tours to a middle or high school with a diverse student population every year to perform and collaborate.
He has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic, the Kansas City Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the popular chamber groups Rhythm and Brass and the Burning River Brass Ensemble. Currently, he is a member of the IRIS Chamber Orchestra in Memphis, Tennessee under Michael Stern and also Principal Trombone of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra. He performs in Broadway shows regularly at the Orpheum and State theatres in Minneapolis. An accomplished jazz trombonist, Dr. Ostrander has collaborated with jazz artists Maria Schneider, Jim McNeely, Jimmy Heath, Claudio Roditi and Rich Beirach. He teaches jazz and created the Trombone Workshop at the Shell Lake Arts Camp in northern Wisconsin. He has recorded on Sony Classical with the Eastman Wind Ensemble and Naxos with the IRIS Orchestra. Dr. Ostrander is a clinician for the Conn-Selmer Musical Instrument Company.
Questions: Contact Dr. John R. Stewart, Director of Concert Bands (stewajo@uwec.edu) or 715-836-4417