News & Events

Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Karen Tordera.

Congratulations to the WHS Music students who are headed to the WSMA State Solo/Ensemble Festival on Saturday, April 27th. The festival will be held between 8 am and 4 pm with student performances happening throughout the day. Listed below are the students who received a 1* rating at the District Level and qualified for State. Performances are open to the public and will be held on the UW-Whitewater campus. The schedule for our students can be found here:

Dante Baker – Marimba Solo

Isabella Cohen, Jay Downs, Taiya Kolb, and Kay Mikos – Saxophone Quartet

Jay Downs – Alto Saxophone Solo

Taiya Kolb – Alto Saxophone Solo

Isabelle Lavertu – Trumpet Solo

Lucy Troxel – Clarinet Solo

Sami Van Daele – Marimba Solo

Meridyth Cashion-Soprano Solo

Ayden Clark-Soprano Solo –  will perform at Carroll University on May 4th

Charlotte Hajewski-Soprano Solo

Alex Sullivan-Soprano Solo

Brooke Mason-Alto Solo

Marina Linos-Alto Solo

A’lani Ross-Alto Solo   will perform at Carroll University on May 4th

Ava Van Daele-Alto Solo

Alex Clarksen-Tenor Solo

Samuel Nickelsburg-Tenor Solo

Payton Bunger-Bass Solo

David Enns-Bass Solo

Payton Bunger, Alex Clarksen, David Enns, and Samuel Nickelsburg- Tenor/Bass Quartet

Alex Clarksen-Musical Theater Solo

Charlotte Hajewski- Musical Theater Solo

Brooke Mason-Musical Theater Solo

Ava Van Daele-Musical Theater Solo

Aliciana Lopez  and David Enns-Soprano/Bass Duet

Isabella Cohen and Samuel Nickelsburg-Soprano/Tenor Duet

Isabella Cohen, Lucy Davis, Erison Dreksler, Georgia Esch, Jazmin Falcon, Charlotte Hajewski, Nina Heim, Aliciana Lopez-Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Payton Bunger, Meridyth Cashion, Ayden Clark, Alex Clarksen, David Enns, Marina Linos, Brooke Mason,  Samuel Nickelsburg, Lauren Rollette, A’lani Ross, Alex Sullivan-Madrigal Ensemble

Payton Bunger, Meridyth Cashion, Ayden Clark, Alex Clarksen, David Enns, Marina Linos, Brooke Mason,  Samuel Nickelsburg, Lauren Rollette, A’lani Ross, Alex Sullivan-Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Editor’s note: The following press release was provided by Brienne Brown.

Experienced Community Leader and Small Business Owner, Brienne Brown, Announces Candidacy for State Assembly in District 43

Brienne Brown, a respected community leader, small business owner, and advocate for positive change, officially announces her candidacy for State Assembly District 43 in the November 5, 2024 election.

 “I am excited to announce my candidacy for State Assembly District 43 and to continue my commitment to serve the people of Wisconsin,” said Brown.

Brown, who has lived in Whitewater for 12 years, is a familiar face to many Whitewater residents, who describe her as “hardworking,” “compassionate,” and “dedicated to improving our community.” 

Brown has been elected to three terms on the Whitewater Common Council, served on the Whitewater Library Board for 11 years, and was instrumental on the board of the non-profit Downtown Whitewater, which worked to create the vibrant Tuesday night farmers market, Whitewater City Market. She was also Program Director for the Whitewater Community Foundation, and helped to expand their operations to offer highly impactful Community Action Grants.

In her time serving on Whitewater Common Council, Brown championed the establishment of the professional EMS Department for the municipality, replacing the all-volunteer Fire Department. She also voted to build the Cravath Lakefront Park Amphitheater, and continues to fight for shared-revenue funding from the state legislature.

The new Assembly District 43 includes Whitewater, Milton, Edgerton, Fulton, Harmony, Johnstown, Lima, Richmond, and Cold Spring. 

Brown looks forward to getting to know the citizens of the new 43rd district through a series of listening sessions. “I want to represent all the citizens of the 43rd, both rural and urban, regardless of political affiliation. When we respect each other and work together, we can create positive change and make Assembly District 43 a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

For more information about Brienne Brown, visit BrienneForWisconsin.com or write to info@BrienneForWisconsin.com

Thousands of dedicated middle and high school student musicians from across the state are preparing for the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Solo & Ensemble Festivals. UW-Whitewater will host this event on Saturday, April 27 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. It will be open to the public and free of charge. 

“The WSMA State Music Festival is an enriching experience for all participants, both performers and their supporters,” said Matt Onstad, Festival Manager for UW-Whitewater. “It is also an opportunity for our music program to showcase our facilities and emphasize how much we value and support the efforts of our school music colleagues, their students and their families.” 

Students must earn a “starred first” rating in Class A (which consists of the most difficult music) at a WSMA District Music Festival to qualify for WSMA State Music Festivals. The participants, in grades 6-12, can choose from a variety of instrumental and vocal solo and ensemble categories for their performances in district festivals throughout the state. Over the past six months, WSMA has held over 140 such events, involving more participants than any other student activity.

“WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festivals provide youth musicians a state-level platform to showcase their growth and achievements. This opportunity is possible because of our state’s exceptional music educators, adjudicators, families and communities who support access to a well-rounded education inclusive of music,” said WSMA Executive Director Laurie Fellenz.

Nine other university campuses will host performances by more than 11,000 students, making this event one of the largest of its kind in the nation. UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside and UW-Platteville will hold festivals on April 27 also. Carroll University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse and UW-Stevens Point festivals will be held on May 4. 

Learn more about WSMA State Music Festivals and other programs by visiting wsmamusic.org. Festival information, including schedules and results, will be posted here.

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Founded in 1932, Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a non-profit service organization with more than 1,000 member public and private schools. Students from member schools are eligible to participate in WSMA programs, such as District and State Music Festivals, Concert Festivals, State Honors Music Project, State Marching Band Championships, Student Composition Project and WSMA Aca U. WSMA is governed by a board of directors made up of superintendents, principals and other officers from all over the state. WSMA believes music is a basic human need and that all children have the right to experience all that music offers them.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by UW-Whitewater.

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Tickets are available one hour before the show at the door or on the Fort PAC website at this link: https://fortatkinsonpac.com/event/alice-in-wonderland/

Editor’s note: This announcement was submitted by Sarah Gehrenbeck.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.

Celebrate all of the wonderful ways in which all children add to the beauty of our community at the third annual free family-friendly International Children’s Day Celebration on Saturday, April 27 in Whitewater.

This event will include live music, games, crafts, face-painting and other activities for children of all ages and runs from noon until 4 p.m.  at Lincoln Elementary School. Information will be available on local and regional services for families.  A variety of international food offerings from local organizations will also be for sale.

Marco Wence will perform. A student choir will sing Puerto Rican and Chinese children’s songs including one that honors the Lunar New Year. Lakeview Elementary students will drum. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the talents of our school children and community members.

“Whitewater prides itself on being a community that is supportive of all children and their families. April 27 is an opportunity to celebrate International Children’s Day and those who care for, support, and encourage children here and around the world,” said Miguel Aranda, planning committee member.

Representatives from the Mexican Consulate of Milwaukee will be at the event, providing information and answering questions.

The World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland, proclaimed June 1 to be International Children’s Day in 1925. It is usually marked with speeches on children’s rights and wellbeing, and other events involving or dedicated to children. A similar event, Universal Children’s Day, falls on Nov. 20. It was established by the United Nations in 1954 and aims to promote the welfare of children around the world. The first celebration of International Children’s Day in Whitewater was held in April of 2022. Many countries around the world celebrate the day in late April.

Sponsors of International Children’s Day Celebration include Whitewater Unified School District, Whitewater Unites Lives, and Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

Students from Whitewater High School’s Music Masters Ensemble and Jazz Band celebrated Jazz Appreciation month with a performance for Whitewater Middle School’s music students on April 12th.  Each group performed three pieces that represent the music they have been studying this semester. Congratulations on a fine performance! 

Editor’s note: The above photos and copy were provided by Karen Tordera.

It is anticipated the Walworth Avenue Storm Sewer and Drainageway Project will begin on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The
project entails replacing storm sewer inlets and storm sewer pipe in Walworth Avenue near the properties of 1011 and
1027 Walworth Avenue, replacing the storm sewer pipe that runs south from Walworth Avenue, and reshaping the open
drainageway.

Walworth Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Prince Street and Elizabeth Street for a day, Thursday, April 25,
2024, starting at 7:00 a.m. to remove terrace trees. It is anticipated to be closed again starting around May 9, 2024, until the project is completed, tentatively scheduled for May 24, 2024.

If you have any questions please contact Brad Marquardt, Director of Public Works.
Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
(262) 473-2239
Bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the city Department of Public Works.