CHILDREN’S CHOIR

WHO ARE WE?

The Children's Choir gives children in grades 2-4 a chance to develop and use their singing gifts to the glory of God.

SINGING SCHEDULE

The Children's Choir singing dates can be found on the Singing Calendar.

JUNIOR CHOIR

WHO ARE WE?

The Junior Choir exists to give students an opportunity to use their singing gifts to the glory of God.

“Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!”

Psalm 98:1

SINGING SCHEDULE

The Junior Choir gives children in grades 5-8 a chance to develop and use their singing gifts to the glory of God. The Junior Choir singing dates can be found on the Singing Calendar,

DRESS CODE

Children will need a red Raiders polo shirt, black dress pants, black dress socks, and black dress shoes to wear for special occasions (Advent song service, Ascension song service, Lakeside Fine Arts Fair, and others to be determined later). The polo shirt order forms will be made available in the fall for those that need a polo shirt.

MORE INFORMATION

The year is going to be busy, but it is going to be a great opportunity to sing of the blessings that the Lord has given to us. Members of the Junior Choir will be encouraged to participate in the Individual Vocal Section of the Lakeside Lutheran Fine Arts Fair. What a wonderful way to show your individual gifts that God has given to you.

PIANO

WHO ARE WE?

Our piano program exists to give children in grades K-8 an opportunity to develop and use their keyboard skills to the glory of God.

OUR INSTRUCTOR

Mrs. Kristie Estervig is the piano teacher.  She has three daughters attending St. Stephen’s.  Mrs. Estervig is also the piano instructor at Wayland Academy.  She has two Master’s of Music Degrees from UW-Madison, the first for Piano Pedagogy and the second for Piano Performance.

PIANO RECITALS

For the 2024-2025 school year, keep these dates in mind:
Piano Recital – (time and location to be announced)
Fine Arts Fair at Lakeside Lutheran High School – (times to be announced)
Piano Recital – (time and location to be announced)

BAND

WHO ARE WE?

The St. Stephen’s Lutheran School Band Program exists to develop and hone students’ musical abilities through quality instrumental instruction and to encourage students to use their God-given talents in worship and secular settings.

“Praise the LORD…with the sounding of the trumpet.
Praise him with harp and lyre.
Praise him with tambourine and dancing.
Praise him with strings and flute,
Praise him with the clash of cymbals.
Praise the LORD!”

Psalm 150

ENROLLMENT

Students in grades 5-8 are eligible to enroll in the band. They must also agree to make up class work missed because of their participation in the band program.

REGISTRATION

Parents can register their child(ren) for band by contacting the school registration night.

INSTRUMENTS OFFERED
  • Flute
  • Clarinet
  • Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium/Baritone
  • Percussion (both drums and bells)
LESSON PAYMENTS

The Band instructors is responsible for collecting payments for lessons. Parents may pay in full or will be charged for lessons. Payment in full or monthly payment arrangements will be set up at registration.

BAND LESSON SCHEDULE

Individual lessons and group practices are held every Wednesday during school hours. Because of time restraints, some lessons may need to be held outside school hours. (Sometimes schedule changes are necessary. The director will let you know if and when that is necessary.)

PRACTICE GUIDE

The band instructor will provide parents and students with a chart to record practice time. The recommended amount of time is 70 minutes each week or more!.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

If your child is sick on his or her lesson day, or if you know in advance that he or she will miss a band lesson, please notify the band instructor directly via phone or email. Make-up lessons can be scheduled upon request. If your child forgets his or her music or instrument, it will NOT be counted as an excused absence.

PERFORMANCES

Participants in the St. Stephen’s Band Program will have several opportunities to perform publicly. Late March or early April is Lakeside’s Fine Arts Festival. Other concerts include one in December and one in May.

INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES

An instrument, music stand, and lesson book (Essential Elements). All of these can be purchased at White House of Music in Watertown (920-261-0700).  Woodwind players need at least five reeds - medium or #2 (except flute players). Brass players need valve oil. Percussionists need both drums and bells.

OUR DIRECTOR

Mrs. Fai Monson is our director. She has a Bachelor of Music in Music Ed from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. Her main instrument of play is the French horn, but she also plays alto horn and is the assistant bandmaster in the First Brigade Band as well.

If you have any additional questions, please reach out to me via email at fai.monson@gmail.com

CONCERT DATES

December Band Concert – TBD
Fine Arts Fair – April 5 and 6, 2025
May Band Concert – TBD

FORENSICS

OUR PURPOSE

If you like reading poetry, reading or telling stories, demonstrating how something is done, or would like to make a speech – join forensics.

MORE INFORMATION

Forensics will be guided by the teachers on staff this year with lots of self-practice.

CATEGORIES
  • Poetry
  • Prose
  • Story-telling
  • Demonstration
  • Speech
  • Group Interpretive
MEETS

There are typically 2 Forensics meets during the year. A local meet held with 3 other schools on rotation. A district meet which is held at Luther Preparatory School. The dates for these are distributed to the participants and school as they become available.

The top 2 in each category of: poetry, prose, story- telling, demonstration, speech,and group interpretive, will participate in the meet at LPS.

OTHER INFORMATION

Forensics begins in September and goes through November. Staff will try to work around your activities and time outside school. Talk it over with your parents. Consider what a great experience it can be entertaining and sharing with others what you are interested in and can do!

SPELLING BEE

OUR PURPOSE?

Every February the top spellers in grades 5 through 8 participate in our Spelling Bee at St. Stephen's.  The top 2 students are recognized with a trophy indicating their success.

OUR SCHEDULE

Usually the last Friday in February.