Welcome to the Stillwater Area High School Orchestra website! This site is a resource for students, parents, and community members. Check back often for important information and announcements!
About the SAHS Orchestras |
The Stillwater Orchestra Program is recognized across the state and country for excellence. In 1993, it was selected as the Meritorious Orchestra Program by the Minnesota chapter of the American String Teachers Association. The orchestra has performed for numerous state and national music conventions. In 2000, the Stillwater School District was included in the Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America.
Today, the orchestra program is comprised of beginning string programs starting in 5th grade in 10 elementary schools. The total number of string instrumental students involved in the entire Stillwater Area School district is just under a thousand. The two junior high school Orchestras – Oakland Junior High led by Julie Vanderstappen, and Stillwater Junior High led by Lisa St. Ores - have consistently earned berths in Tier Two of the MNSOTA Jr. High/Middle School Orchestra contest. All five orchestras at Stillwater Area High School have consistently earned superior ratings at the MSHSL State Large Group Contests. Our elementary string instructors are Cassandra Herold and Kent Musser What makes the Stillwater Orchestra program special? Two things: high quality instruction and community support. Our string teachers are the best of the best, and the Stillwater community has come to expect a level of quality that is unmatched. |
About Mr. Jensen |
Ryan Jensen is the director of orchestras at Stillwater Area High School. A native of Alexandria, MN. Mr. Jensen earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a Master's in Educational Technology from Concordia University-St. Paul. Mr. Jensen taught at Woodbury High School for seven years prior to his arrival at Stillwater.
Mr. Jensen has been playing the viola for over 20 years. He has performed with a number of community and semiprofessional orchestras in the area including the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, Chippewa Valley Symphony, Metropolitan Symphony, and St. Paul Civic Symphony. He was a featured soloist for the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra in 2014, playing Cecil Forsyth's Viola Concerto. |