What is Blue2 Winds?
Founded in 2021, Blue2 Winds is an extracurricular chamber winds program (it is NOT a marching ensemble). Students rehearse and perform in small groups (such as quartets, instrument choirs) focusing on independence in musicianship. The program is designed to develop students to be successful in all aspects of the MASD band program, whether it be concert, jazz, or marching band. The program is open to all MASD woodwind & brass students enrolled in grades 5-12, and serves as a music honors program for 5th & 6th grade students nominated by their elementary band teachers.
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Questions?
MHS Band Director Emma Angoli is on maternity leave, so please contact
the following individuals with any questions you may have.
Blue2 Winds Interim Director Elizabeth Gonnering: egonnering@greenfield.k12.wi.us
PVMS Band Director RJ Olson: olsonri@masd.k12.wi.us​
Program Goals
The Blue2 Winds program strives to create independent musicians who can be leaders within our concert, jazz, and marching programs. We work to prepare students for whatever musical challenges they choose to pursue. A member of Blue2 Winds should feel confident in their ability to not only perform at the highest level in their school ensembles, but will also be prepared for co-curricular activities such as Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Solo & Ensemble.
Additionally, we focus on building a sense of community and friendship between our various grades of wind players. Unlike in the curricular bands, students in Blue2 Winds will have the opportunity to interact and perform with students in other grade levels, allowing us to build a culture of excellence that bridges each of our PVMS and MHS bands.
Rehearsal Structure
Blue2 Winds rehearses 2-3 Saturdays per month, with all students rehearsing from 8:00am-Noon. For our complete rehearsal & performance schedule (including a one-click "add to my google calendar" option), please visit our Schedule/Calendar page.
Performances
Blue2 Winds students perform on a dedicated Blue2 Winds concert near the end of the season. Additionally, all students will also perform at least one piece for the Local and District Level Solo & Ensemble Festivals, with qualifying ensembles also performing at the State Level Festival.
Musical Excellence
Blue2 Winds students have a long track record of receiving recognition for their musical excellence, including:
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Ensembles (& Soloists) receiving 'Exemplary Performer' awards, the highest recognition awarded at the WSMA State Level Solo & Ensemble Festival. This recognition is only awarded to a handful of performers each year.
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Auditioning for and getting accepted into the WSMA State Honors Band program.
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Receiving numerous musical and visual caption awards as members of the MHS Marching Band.
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Alumni going on to successfully audition for collegiate music programs/marching bands as well as competitive DCI and WGI ensembles.
Why Chamber Music?
"Chamber Music" refers to ensembles smaller than your average band (think 3-15 performers) that typically perform without a conductor. Chamber ensembles are incredibly diverse. Certain pieces will dictate which specific instruments are needed while others allow for "open" instrumentation where any combination of instruments can be used. This gives us the ability to tailor our musical selections specifically to what will best serve our students' development. Performing in small groups also helps each student build more musical independence and improve musical communication as each part is often covered by only a single player. The small group model also allows instructional staff to give more attention to each individual student.​
Participation Requirements
Participation requirements are listed below. If you have more questions on whether your student can participate, please contact Mrs. Angoli at angolem@masd.k12.wi.us.
Blue2 Winds Participation Requirements:
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Enrolled in the Mukwonago Area School District
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Currently in grades 5-12
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Meets at least one of the following three criteria:
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Currently signed up for a year-round curricular band class on a wind instrument
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Qualifying classes include: Elementary 5th or 6th Grade Band, PVMS 7th or 8th Grade Band, MHS Concert Winds, MHS Symphonic Band, or MHS Wind Ensemble.
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PVMS/MHS Jazz Ensemble or Marching Band do NOT qualify.​
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Instructor's Consent (contact Mrs. Angoli at angolem@masd.k12.wi.us)
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intended for students who have not yet had the opportunity to meet one of the above options or are facing a set of extraordinary circumstances.
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will be considered on a case-by-case basis
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an example of a student likely to be approved would be a current 7th grade student who did both band & orchestra in 6th grade, but could only fit one in their schedule during 7th grade.
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however, students who have had the opportunity to meet one of the above criteria but choose not to are unlikely to be approved.
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example: a student who dropped their curricular band class part way through high school.​
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Additionally, all MHS students participating will be held to the MHS Athletic/Activity Code of Conduct, including the random drug test policy. (This does NOT apply to PVMS or Elementary school students).
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Membership Dues
For a breakdown of membership dues, please visit our registration page. (see below)