Mankato East to host 79th Big 9 Music Festival

Preparations are under way for the 79th annual Big 9 Music Festival.  Mankato East High School will serve as the host for this event being held on Friday, May 6, 2011.  Band and orchestra performances will be held at the school, while choirs will perform at Chirst the King Lutheran Church.  The day will culminate with the Grand Festival Concert. This concert will feature performances by the Big 9 Select Orchestra, under the direction of Kenneth Freed; the Big 9 Select Choir, directed by Eugene Rogers; and the Big 9 Select Band, under the direction of Douglas Nimmo.  As the festival nears more information will be found on the Mankato East High School webpage:  http://www.isd77.org/se3bin/clientschool.cgi?schoolname=school307

MAPS Music Teacher featured in national magazine

DMMS band director, Cindy Shirk, who also serves as president of the Minnesota Music Education Association, is featured in this months "School Band and Orchestra" magazine.  Cindy is reflecting on the current state of music education in Minnesota.  The link to the story is available below: http://www.sbomagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=AF60EC4799514C3E8B04D2F70E9FCF9D

Ready for another year of great music!

The Department of Music for Mankato Area Public Schools is ready for another year of great music making and education!  Our experienced and talented faculty is looking forward to working with your children and helping them discover all the benefits and gifts that participation in music has to offer.  If you have any questions, please contact your child's building music teacher.  Let the music begin!

Check back often for updated information on what is happening in our classrooms and rehearsal spaces! 

Dakota Meadows to present Fall Concert

The Department of Music at Dakota Meadows Middle School will present a Fall Concert on Monday, December 14, 2009.  Their will be two performances that evening.  The first performance, beginning at 6:00 p.m. will feature the 7th/8th Grade Orchestra, 7th/8th Grade Boys Choir, 7th Grade Girls Choir, and the 7th Grade Band.   A 7:00 p.m. performance will feature the 8th Grade Girls Choir and the 8th Grade Band. 

For more information contact Cindy Shirk at 507.387.5077.

Mankato Schools to participate in Big Nine Music Festival

On Friday, May 1, band, choir, and orchestra students from Mankato East and Mankato West will travel to Austin High School to participate in the 77th annual Big Nine Music Festival. Performances will be held throughout the day. For more information contact the music department staff at East or West high schools.

East Junior and Senior High Concerts

The Music Department at Mankato East celebrates "Music in Our Schools Month" with a series of performances beginning with the high school bands on Friday, March 13th at 7:00 p.m. Orchestra students in grades 5-12 will combine for a concert on Tuesday, March 17th at 7:30 p.m. A Winter Concert featuring the junior high bands and choirs will take place on Thursday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. and the annual Choir Pops Concert will be held on March 31st at 7:30 p.m. All performances will be held in the Mankato East Auditorium.

Mankato West to present "CELEBRATE!"

The music department at Mankato West High School invites everyone to "Celebrate!" The annual pops concert will be Friday, Feb 6 in the West Auditorium at 7:30. Featured will be the West Concert Band, Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Bands and West Connection.

Hoover Elementary Holiday Program

Hoover Elementary will present a holiday program titled "The North Pole Goes Rock n' Roll" on Thursday, December 18th. The program will feature students in kindergarten through 2nd grade.

Two performances will be given: Students with last names A-K will perform at 10:30 and students with last names L-Z will perform at 1:30.

All are invited to this free event!

Mankato East to present vocal concerts

Vocal students at Mankato East will showcase their talents during two performances this week. The Junior High Holiday Vocal Concert will be held on Thursday, December 4, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the East auditorium.

Students in grades 9-12 will perform in their annual Christmas Concert on Friday, December 5, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the East auditorium.

Both concerts are free of charge and open to the public.

West High School December Performances

The Music Department at Mankato West High School announces the following December performances:

Sunday, December 7 - Holiday Festival of Music My Favorite Things
3:00 p.m. West HS Auditorium (Orchestra, Concert Choir, Concert Band
and Ensembles)

Monday, December 8 - Winter Concert
7:30 p.m. West HS Auditorium (Symphonic Band, Voce Cantabile,
Scarlet Men's Choir

The public is invited to these free holiday performances!