Northland Pines School District - New

Northland Pines Choir

Welcome to the choir webpage! My name is Kate Janssen, I am the choir director for grades 6-12 at Northland Pines. We offer two choirs at Northland Pines High School, Chorale and A Cappella. At Northland Pines Middle School, we offer two choirs: a 6th Grade Choir and a combined 7th/8th Grade Choir.

Students have a variety of curricular and co-curricular music activities here: the NPHS Madrigal Singers, annual NPHS Musical, GNC Solo/Ensemble, Large Group Festival, Winter and Spring Concerts, Veteran's Day, and Memorial Day performances, honors festivals, Cabaret Concert, Pops Concert, and multiple fundraisers each year. High School students are offered a large-scale performance trip every few years.

As the Choir Director at NPMS and NPHS, I love providing students with opportunities for musical growth, an expanding world view and understanding, and a lifelong appreciation of music. If you have any questions regarding choir, please contact me at 715-479-4473 Ext. 0801 or by email.

Northland Pines Choir Students Selected to State Honors Choir

Three students from Northland Pines Middle and High School were recently named into the Wisconsin School Music Association State Honors Project. Junior Keirrah Epping was accepted into the High School State Honors Treble Choir as a Soprano. Eighth graders Davis Beyer and Owen Grassl were both accepted into the Middle School State Honors Choir as Tenors. These distinguished groups represent accomplished young singers from schools around the state of Wisconsin.

Epping auditioned in February for an adjudicator at UW-Stevens Point and was notified of her acceptance in May. She attended three days of virtual camp rehearsal this summer to rehearse the music and prepare individual recordings. Beyer and Grassl submitted video auditions in May and were notified of their acceptance in August. Each audition consisted of a solo performance, vocal exercises, and sight reading.

Due to COVID-19 adaptations, both fall experiences will take place virtually rather than in-person this year. The high school group members prepared individual recordings to be edited together into virtual ensembles to premiere online Thursday, October 29 at 7:30 pm. The middle school groups will attend a two-day virtual camp event on October 30 and 31.

The WSMA State Honors Music Project offers talented youth the opportunity to rehearse and perform with nationally-known conductors in a professional setting. All Honors ensembles perform as part of the Wisconsin State Music Conference each October.

“We are proud of the dedication these three singers have shown by preparing for Honors auditions, camp, and performances. This year is different in so many ways, but I am very pleased our musicians still have the amazing opportunity to work with collegiate conductors in these groups,” says Kate Janssen, Northland Pines Choir Director. “Keirrah, Owen and Davis are great young people, and their positivity and passion for music greatly impacts those around them.”

Keirrah Epping is the granddaughter of Phillip and Beverly Epping of Eagle River. Davis Beyer is the son of Jim and Kristin Beyer of Eagle River. Owen Grassl is the son of Adam and Stephanie Grassl of Eagle River.

The High School Honors Project Virtual Performance will be linked on the WSMA website.