WINONA, Minn. – A study group recommended that staffing be increased in Winona schools to support a basic 90 minutes a week of music instruction. The recommendation was among several that emerged from the music study group organized by Superintendent Annette Freiheit. The district’s finance director, Kristy Millering, who was part of the study group, will be working on budgets to fund stronger music programs, Freiheit said. “A lot of things go into music education,” Freiheit said. “It’s not just the scores they need to have for performance.” Budgets will need to include routine instrument maintenance, choir robes and band uniform cleaning, a 10-year instrument replacement cycle, and technology upgrades. The study group also recommended community partnerships, funding or grants for artist-in-residencies and after-school arts enrichment.
On the march. The band practices on the high school grounds in October 2019.
More study groups
The Music Study Group sought to analyze the music program in a collaborative fashion and provide recommendations to the School Board. “I really enjoyed the process,” Freiheit said. “I learned a lot. I love music. I’m just not maybe musical in my own sense. But I’m excited for the future and using what we’ve learned to continue improving our music programs.” Freihert anticipates more study groups to develop recommendation to the School Board.