Music History

1941 Band with new uniforms

1953 High School Band

1961 Senior Band - Wyndmere High School

1979 Mixed Choir Performed at West Acres for Christmas holidays and on WDAY television.

The vocal department began wearing robes for their performances. Best musicians for 1956 were Nancy Carver and James Hammond. In 1957, best musicians awards went to Janice Gulke and James Hammond. The Sousa award had its beginning in 1958, presented by George Carver to Beverly Gulke. Best musicians were Lola Milton and Winston Matthews. The Pirates oJPenzance was performed in 1959 with Colin Bailey and Lola Milton having the lead roles.

The Sousa award was presented to Winston Matthews and Lola Milton. In 1960 the Sousa award was given to Gary Dahl, and in 1961 the award went to Kathleen Berg. Constance Olson was the recipient of the Sousa award in 1962. The year 1963 gave the Sousa award to Arlin Kjos and the best musicians chosen were Marilyn Haugen and Arlin Kjos. Darryl Anderson and Mary Berg were the best musicians in 1964 and Mary Berg also received the Sousa award. The big project for 1965 was the purchase of new uniforms, black with gold braid trim. The story of the fund raising for these uniforms will be elsewhere in the section. Girls Glee Club sang on Part v Line WDAY television. Sousa award winner was Cynthia Puetz and the best musicians were Deborah Johnson and L.eRoy Copeland. From 1966 to 1969, Sousa award winners were: Edward Anderson (1966), Carole Dotzenrod (1967), Kathleen Anderson (1968), and Barbara McDougall (1969). Best musicians were: Margie Dotzenrod and Eddie Anderson (1966), Steve Brosowske and Carole Dotzenrod (1967), Kathy Anderson and Jeff Anderson (1968), Barb McDougall and Steve Freese (1969). The band took first as a marching unit at the State School of Science homecoming parade in Wahpeton in 1970, Sharon Hager received the Sousa award, outstanding choir member chosen was Paulette Hendricks. Best musicians were Kent Langseth and Sharon Hager. Richard Becker received the Sousa award and Vicki Milton was the outstanding choir member in 1971. A trip to Rapid City in June was the highlight for the band in 1972, Jerry Anderson was the Sousa award winner, Mary Haberman was the outstanding choir member. Sousa award winner in 1973 was Virginia Sanden and Sandi Hoffman, the outstanding choir member. The band traveled to West Acres to perform in 1973. Miles Johnson (1974) Sousa award, Carmen Henkenius (1974) Chopin award. In 1975, Lucinda Lien won the Sousa award and Dennis Foertsch received the Sousa award honors in 1976. The band traveled to Bismarck, Williston, Dickinson and Medora for performances in 1977 and Kim Braaten was honored with the Sousa award and also the Chopin award. The "O.D.S" was a popular vocal group in 1978, Sousa award winner was Rick Foertsch. Marilyn Olson was honored as the Chopin award winner (1979) and there was Janet Brosowske taking the Sousa award honors. Don Braaten was a double winner in 1980, the Sousa award and the Chopin award. Due to lack of finances, the music department was cut to one instructor for both the beginners and senior departments in 1981. Winners for awards were Jeff Nathan, Sousa award, and Laurie Carlson, the Marine Corps Distinguished Musician award.

The students had a good year with all six large groups receiving a two star rating and 34 students traveling to the state contest. A half-time elementary teacher was hired in 1982, and Brenda Haugen and Peg Erbes awakened the city of Bismarck with Reveille at the state contest. Errol Schoenfish-Sousa award, Chopin award-Heidi Klosterman. All state choir and band-Errol Shoenfish, Edmund Goerger, John Becker, Nola Pinkham and Renee Quam. choir member. Sousa award winner in 1973 was Virginia Sanden and Sandi Hoffman, the outstanding choir member. The band traveled to West Acres to perform in 1973. Miles Johnson (1974) Sousa award, Carmen Henkenius (1974)

1983 High School Band

In 1983 the National Choral award was presented to Jason Heitkamp, Brenda Haugen-Sousa award, Chopin award-Pam Erbes, All State Band-Renee Quam and Brenda Haugen. More awards were handed out in 1984 with Renee Quam-Sousa award, National Choral award-Kevin Blazek, Chopin award-Jeanne Frisk, and National Choral award¬Edmund Goerger. The vocal and band groups were always well represented at the district music contests held each spring, repeatedly coming back to the school with many superior ratings throughout the years. Many of these students with their superior ratings traveled to the state contest and brought back star ratings. The credit for all this talent must be given to all the students involved, including those who were not singled out for any particular award and to the instructors who helped bring out this gift of music for them to enjoy and to bring enjoyment to others. The instructors, beginning with the first yearbook in the school system in 1937 and up to the present year of 1984-85 are: Emma Jean Grady, Joe Rindt, Dorothy Dugan, Jesselyn Johnson, Oline Lillestol, Ida Stadum, Arthur Nestoss, Ardell Johnson, Mrs. Isabel Lloyd, Mrs. Harry Nolan, Leonard Wicklund, H.L. Maguren, Robert Drake, Paul Rice, Robert Hasenmuller, O.M. Kepler, Mary Anderson, Mary Stone, Larry Marschner, Mrs. Janet Koppelman, Duane Rossett, Jim Oleson, Mrs. Mary Lee, Miss Lana Dollinger, Terry Fortier, Elaine Erdahl, Roger Syverson, Sharon Seibel, Deb Viestenz, Julie Morris and Bonnie Beeson. A salute to some of the students who continued their music career by getting their music degree: Phillip Lillestol, who also received a Fullbright Scholarship to study music in Paris, France for two years, Marlys Braaten, Manford Dokken, Beverly Johnson, Lola Milton, Kathleen Berg, Carole Belle Kirkhus, Deborah Johnson, Jocelyn Kirkhus, Barbara McDougall, Paulette Hendricks, Lucille Haugen, Rick Becker. No more information was available for any other student so we hope we did not omit anyone. Some of the piano instructors throughout the years were: Oline Lillestol, Erma Dotzenrod, Mary Stone, Sister Salutarius, Arlene Bailey, Lenore Cushing, Milton Starin, Jan Koppelman, Don Braaten and Professor Babcock.