Fergus Falls Public Schools

SUPERINTENDENT’S COLUMN
By Superintendent Jerry Ness
• March 10, 2010 •

Celebrate music in our schools

March is Music in our Schools Month so, in celebration of all that
music has to offer our students, here are some of the happenings within the
music programs of District 544.

Elementary Schools
Kindergarteners will sing about being “green" during programs directed by Geralyn Lyseng in May.
A new before-school choir at Cleveland School sang at a varsity basketball game and will present a program in
May, while about 70 Cleveland students sang at another varsity event. Joni Wasberg directed both.
The 4th and 5th graders in Cleveland’s new African drumming program have aspirations of performing in May in
Fergus Falls and at the International Friendship Festival in Pelican Rapids in June.
In May, Everett Jacobson will lead Adams School 1st graders in concert and 2nd graders in two multicultural
programs.

Alternative Learning Center

Students are improving their guitar and keyboard skills daily and are grateful for the keyboards acquired
through a 544 Education Foundation grant. The teacher is Geralyn Lyseng.

Orchestra
In January, 165 students in grades 4-8 attended the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Young People’s Concert.
Eleven students participated in Super String Day with Midori, attending classes with the world-famous violinist: Katelyn
Petersen, Kyra Anderson, Krista Ronnevik, Taryn Stoen, Cassandra Eerdmans, Eddie Roberts, Alex Hoffbeck, Callie
Ann Hoffbeck, Allen Nelson, Billy Eerdmans and Andy Eerdmans. String teachers are Laurie Strom and Mark Solie.
Senior Emma Childs performed with All-State Orchestra for the second time. Emma is principal cello for the FM
Youth Symphony, a cellist with the FM Symphony and winner of the Concerto Competition for the FM Youth Symphony
and the FM Symphony.

Band
Fergus Falls planned to host the regional Honors Band Festival for grades 6-10 in January. Students
nominated by directors Scott Kummrow, Denise Wiese and Jim Iverson were Danielle Schroeder, Seth Stein, Josiah
Rostad, David Schneck, Hannah Nelson, Keianna Vogel, Sam Steen and Nathan Stowman. Unfortunately, a snowstorm
cancelled the event.
The 8th grade band was one of two performing at the Minnesota Music Educator’s Conference, where senior
Erika Andersen played with the All-State Band for the second year.
Tracy Stein, Zach Johnson, Robbie Darling, Keianna Vogel and Nathan Stowman were chosen for Bemidji
State University’s Honor Band Festival in February.
Seth Stein and Keianna Vogel were chosen by audition to will perform in April’s Mid-Level All-State Bands.
May’s annual All-School Jazz Band concert will feature soloist Joe Burgstaller, formerly with the Canadian Brass.

Choir
Taylor Johnson, Billy Eerdmans, Andy Eerdmans, Sarah Bowman, Lexi Wedll and Samuel Wasberg performed
with the 9-10 Minnesota Music Educators Honors Choir in February. Hazen Roller-Olson performed with the All-State
Choir.
In February, West Central Area Middle School Choir Festival participants included Hannah Dahlstrom, Emma
Newton, Hannah Leapaldt, Danielle Crowe, Vanessa Johnson, Brianna Fitch, Brigit Mortenson, Taylor Leapaldt, Ingrid
Nycklemoe, Carolina Wagnild, Tashia LaCoursiere, Kaila Zachmann, Monica Braun, Jenni Klawitter, Alyssa Formo,
Nick Weaver, Pablo Damian, Tyler Harthun, Mike Pistulka, Dillon Rodriguez, Connor Danielson, David Schneck, and
Connor Yliniemi. Janel Trosvig is their director.

Congratulations, wrestlers and swimmers

I would like to add my congratulations to our wrestlers, swimmers and the coaches who participated in state
competitions last week. They clearly defined excellence through their athletic ability, technique and unbelievable work
ethic. Five wrestlers competing at state, with Colton Thorson and Dan Revering each finishing in second place in his
weight class, capping an outstanding season for the Otters.
The Otter swim team’s sixth place was an excellent finish, as well. The team’s appearance at state was
highlighted by Mike Hurley’s first-place finish in two events (with a state record in one), Eben Danielson’s third-place
finish and two fourth-place finishes in relays.