Orchestra celebrates Women’s History Month
Ruthie Posada, Writer
March 12, 2020
According to orchestra director Kou Lee, he invited composer and conductor Erika Svanoe to come speak and practice with the orchestra to inspire his students. “I invited her today because she is not only a composer but a female conductor and it’s a field where it’s mostly dominated by men, so ...
Alumni join orchestra for winter concert
December 20, 2019
Junior Alanna Franklin said she enjoyed the alumni coming back to play at the concert Dec. 19 so she could see some familiar faces again and learn from those she hadn’t met before. “I thought it was really cool, especially because I was classmates with some of them. Then there was older peopl...
Orchestra conducts Halloween concert
November 7, 2019
According to orchestra teacher Kou Lee, orchestra’s Halloween concert Oct. 30 turned out to be one of the best concerts in a long time. “Other people said that was the best the orchestra has (sounded) in a while, so I thought (the students) played very well,” Lee said. According to senior a...
Orchestra class begins on a high note
September 29, 2019
According to senior and violin player Ella Hammerstrand, she is excited for the upcoming year of orchestra, primarily the music she gets to play. “Mr. Lee always picks really good music, so I'm excited for that. I really liked the songs (for this year),” Hammerstrand said. Orchestra teacher ...
A final note for orchestra
Samantha Klepfer, Carly Joseph, and Izzy Kanne
June 7, 2019
As senior violinist Estelle Tronson looks back on her orchestra career, she remembers the relationships that grew from her time in the program. “I made some of my best friends through orchestra so I’m going to really miss all the people there. I also just really love music in general,” Tronson...
Orchestra prepares for spring concert
Samantha Klepfer, Izzy Kanne, and Carly Joseph
May 20, 2019
As junior bassist Mitchell VonEschen looks forward to his first spring concert, he reflects on the preparation the orchestra has been doing for the performance. “We are practicing our songs in class,” VonEschen said. “I think it will be good.” According to orchestra director Kou Lee, the cl...
Senior gets full ride for musical talent
May 10, 2019
For his notable achievements with the violin, senior Emmett Foner said he was awarded a full ride to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. While he was not originally set on going to Eau Claire, he said he is very excited for the opportunity. “I was planning on going to Iowa State University, b...
Orchestra pushes through challenges, inspires students
Samantha Klepfer, Izzy Kanne, and Carly Joseph
April 30, 2019
As junior violinist Yoni Potter looks back on his third District Festival, he said despite some difficulties, the experience was just as fun as previous years. “One of our soloists couldn’t make it so somebody had to substitute for her,” Potter said. “It was also kind of stressful because we d...
Orchestra looks forward to district festival
Samantha Klepfer, Carly Joseph, and Izzy Kanne
April 17, 2019
Orchestra director Kou Lee reflects on the orchestra’s preparation for the district festival. “I think it's a culture. Music is part of being human; it’s part of our lives and just having the district festival helps create that culture, that part of our life. In a sense, it creat...
Orchestra prepares for biggest fundraising concert
March 14, 2019
Orchestra director Kou Lee said the rock concert provides a unique opportunity for the orchestra members to get a professional experience. “It's a huge fundraiser, and we only do this twice a year for our tours. On those tours, students get the opportunity not only to perform, but they get to work...
Sophomore composes musical, plays five instruments
February 26, 2019
According to sophomore Amara Foner, she has been learning music since she was 4 years old. “I play piano, cello, flute, viola and ocarina. I’ve been playing piano since I was 4, and I was 9 when I started cello,” Foner said. “I was 11 when I started flute; I started viola last year, and I sta...
Orchestra holds holiday gift wrapping
Samantha Klepfer and Tenzin Gyaldatsang
December 21, 2018
According to Orchestra director Kou Lee, the idea to hold a fundraiser in Barnes and Noble was started by Ms. Edgar. “That was set up before I got here, Ms. Edgar set that up a while ago so it’s been a thing,” Lee said. Freshman Thomas Hanson said the money made from the donations are use...
For the first time since 1946 the Minnesota State Fair will not open their gates for the summer of 2020, according to state fair general manager Jerry Hammer. “This isn’t a difficult decision....
In a statement posted by St. Louis Park Public Schools, Superintendent Astein Osei announced Wendy Loberg will fill the vacancy left by Principal Scott Meyers beginning in July. “In her past leadership...
Breaking down in tears of frustration was the only way senior Shayla Miller felt she could react after discovering that Gov. Tim Walz banned all in-person graduations in Minnesota due to COVID-19 for the...
Marta Hill, Isabel Kjaer, and Talia Lissauer
Protecting public health and economic stability was at the forefront of Gov. Tim Walz’s mind as he signed four Executive Orders May 13 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We believe that we...
