Andover Music Department

The first Trimester has seemingly flown right by and so many things have happened! Let's touch on the big ones that happened in and outside the classroom...

• The Music Department had our first Department Hang for the school year at the "Music Monster Mash". We had over 150 music students there! There were movies, games, music, snacks and so much fun. It was so successful that we've already started planning the next one a "Holiday Hang".
• The performing groups at Andover had a successful Fall Concert Season - thank you to everyone who attended! There will be many more concerts in the future and we hope to see you at those as well!
• The Marching Band wrapped up an amazing season with their performance at U.S. Bank Stadium for the Youth In Music Competition (winning both the Hornline AND Percussion Champion Award), had a fun time at the Anoka Halloween Parade AND had an amazing banquet to finish off their 2025 Season!
• Finally, we had a very successful Veterans Day Assembly. Our entire student body was in the gym as we honored all of our service members (current or retired) for their sacrifices. The Concert Choir/Band/Orchestra performed some great music at this school-wide event!

The music department is excited for the next event, Cafe on Stage! Cafe on stage is a collaborative event with the music, theater and art departments coming together for a variety show, art showcase and a silent auction FUNDRAISER! The event is held on Friday, December 5th at 7pm.

We need students and parents to show support by attending the event AND helping with monetary donations for the silent auction! These donations will go toward purchasing items for large and small baskets up for bid, as well as cookies and hot cocoa that are provided at the event.

Please consider donating even just a few dollars by dropping off a check (made out to AMBO, with "Cafe on Stage" in the memo line) or cash in an envelope labeled "Cafe on Stage" to the black box in the music department, OR by donating via Venmo (@Andovermusicbooster), labeled "Cafe on Stage". DEADLINE FOR DONATIONS IS NOVEMBER 20th!

Back at the end of October we finished off our fourth year with the Betty's Pies Fundraiser. This year we sold just about 500 pies - no small feat! This year's pie delivery to is set for Thursday, November 20th. Pies will need to be picked up from the school between 3:30-4:30PM by the student/seller (or their guardian). Pie pickup is right behind the school next to the staff parking lot/tennis courts. This is the second-to-last day of school before break, and we are hoping that everyone will be able to get the pies to their customers so that they have them before thanksgiving. Please plan on delivering your pies that night, if not they will need to be kept frozen! Thanks in advance for helping us make this fundraiser a success!

The Andover Music Boosters Organization (AMBO) is a Non-Profit Organization that helps with so many different aspects for the entire Music Department. Whether it's the countless hours volunteering for Marching Band, donating food, organizing pies/parents or designing some amazing events they are always busy! If you've been looking for an opportunity to help out - WE WANT YOU!

Want to help out our boosters directly but don't have time? Maybe you are willing to help out monetarily, feel free to click the following link for our "Give to the Max" campaign through GiveMN.org. Any amount can help!

Can't donate money but are more interested in donating some time or just want to stay more informed as a parent? Please join the ABBO on the band app by clicking THIS LINK. It will take you to your app store of choice to download an app called the "band app". This is a communication tool that our parents use to stay up to date on all the news and coordinate in various ways.

One of the fun aspects about being in high school music is a taking a trip together! Every other year, with the exception of the pandemic, we try to organize these trips with the students of the Andover Music Department. We have already started to have the conversation with our administration about the possibility of next years trip (during the 26/27 school year spring break).

While performing in the community can be a portion of the trip, there are always days to sight-see and have fun. Telschow, Griffin and I have started brainstorming about places we would like to give students a musical experience. Here are some places that we have taken students in the past and some of the experiences they've had: New York (visit Times Square, get a backstage tour of a Broadway show, then go see it), Washington D.C (so many historical landmarks), California (Disneyland, Hollywood Studios, Santa Monica Pier), New Orleans (Riverboat rides, museums and so much culture), Florida (Disney, Universal, beaches and museums) and the list goes on.

We've started the discussion/planning process now, with the hopes that next year (during the 2026/27 spring break) we can be approved by the district for a trip. Once things are a little more solidified we will get more details out!

All The chamber ensembles are in full swing at Andover High School. We have FOUR ensembles that meet outside the regular school day. Chamber Orchestra/Choir/Jazz One are all audition-based groups, while Jazz Too is not. And yes...you read that right, 6:40AM! Here are the rehearsal schedules...

Chamber Orchestra: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:40AM

Chamber Choir: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:15PM

Jazz One: Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:40AM

Jazz Too: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:40AM

The following students were selected to perform for the American Choral Directors Association Honors Choirs - Maria Schwoch (sophmore) for the SATB (Soprano/Alto/Tenor/Bass) Choir on Soprano 1, Brooklynn Fitzl (sophmore) for SATB Choir on Alto 2, Isabel Lindsay (sophmore), for the SSAA (Soprano/Alto) Choir on Soprano 1; Ruby Johnson (freshman) for the SSAA choir on Alto 1, Thomas Bennett (freshman) selected for the TTBB (Tenor/Bass Choir) on Bass 2, Jenkins Thunberg (freshman), for the TTBB Choir on Tenor 1 and Alex Zienty (freshman) for the TTBB Choir on Tenor 2.

Congratulations to these students as they will represent the Andover High School Choirs at the ACDA Music Festival!

Check out the dates below and come support all of the Andover High School Musicians as we head into the Holiday Season!

• Friday, 12/5/2025 - Café on Stage (all chamber ensembles), performances start at 7:30PM in the Auditorium, Silent auction Bidding ends at start of the second half (after intermission).
• Friday, 12/12/2025 @ 7PM - Chamber Ensembles Concert
• Dress Rehearsal for students is @6PM
• Ensembles: Chamber Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz One, Jazz Too
• Saturday, 12/13/2025 @ 2PM - Level One Band/Orchestra, Level One/Two Choirs
• Dress Rehearsal for students is @1PM
• Ensembles: Varsity Band, Cantabile Choir and String Orchestra
• Saturday, 12/13/2025 @ 4:30PM - Level Two Band/Orchestra, Level Three Choir
• Dress Rehearsal for students is @3:30PM
• Ensembles: Sinfonia, Bel Canto, Symphonic Band
• Saturday, 12/13/2025 @ 7PM - Level Three Band/Orchestra, Level 4 Choir
• Dress Rehearsal for students is @6PM
• Ensembles: Concert Band, Concert Choir and Concert Orchestra

You read that right folks the Music Department is combining forces for an all out Holiday Spectacular. This will be the THIRD time that ALL leveled groups will be combining for their Holiday Concerts. You'll be able to see/support all of the 9th Graders involved in Band/Choir/Orchestra in one event - similarly you can support all of our chamber groups in one event as well!

Andover Music Students get into Andover Music Department events for free, while families and friends will need to purchase a ticket - $5 for students/seniors and $7 for adults. NEW THIS YEAR ALL TICKET SALES ARE ONLINE, AN EMAIL WILL BE SENT AT LEAST ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE TO THE CONCERT.

You can check out our merchandise store through Rise Above Apparrel linked HERE.

You can also follow THIS LINK to get to our website.

We just opened both of these up this year and will continue to make adjustments as time goes on, take a moment to check both of these links out!

...there has been A LOT going on in the Andover Music realm. This can be the start of a very busy time in the music department here at Andover High School. We hope that you can join us for our concerts in this festive time of year - they should all be quite fun!

Wishing you a peaceful start to the Holiday Season.

Regards,

Stacy Griffin - Orchestras

Blake Peterson - Bands

Josiah Telschow - Choirs