Owen-Withee Band and Choir students took part with others in the 2026 Cloverbelt All-Conference Band and Choir Concert Saturday, January 17 at Regis Catholic High School in Eau Claire.
The annual event, which sees musicians from the across the Cloverbelt converge for a day of practice with renowned composers and conductors before a nighttime concert, saw students from participating Cloverbelt schools perform seven musical numbers: three band, three choir, and one combined piece.
As for music, the night started out at 5 p.m. with the All-Conference Band playing three numbers, including "La Fiera Asturiana" by Michele Fernandez, "Rippling Watercolors" by Brian Balmages, and "The Candy Factory" by Dr. Erika Svanoe, inspired by Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
With Dr. Svanoe conducting the All-Conference Band performance it was soon into the choir performance, led by Dr. Jerry (Chiwei) Hui. All-Conference Choir students sang three numbers, including "Yea, Though I Walk" by Arthur S. Sullivan (inspired by the 23rd Psalm), "Walk Out on the Water" by Royal Canoe as arranged by Geung Kroeker-Lee, and "Let Me Fly" by Rollo Dilworth.
Following the choir, the band returned for a combined band and choir piece, "Homeward Bound" by Marta Keen as arranged by Brant Karrick and Jay Althouse. Liz Wilson, a collaborative and liturgical pianist from the Eau Claire area, served as accompanist for the choir in the joint band and choir performance. Participating schools for the 2026 Cloverbelt All-Conference Band and Choir Concert included Owen-Withee, Gilman, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Thorp, Colby, Neillsville, Stanley-Boyd, Cadott, Fall Creek, McDonell, and Regis.
Attending for Owen-Withee this year were the following students:
Band
Piccolo
Lydia Van Ark
Clarinet
Leah Simenson
Orion Wilczek
Alto Saxophone
Emmy Ruppert
Trumpet
Madi Mueller
Adalie Hatlestad
Baritone/Euphonium
Macy Devine
Percussion
AJ Wilczek

Choir
Soprano
Nevaeh Baures
Leah Wojcik
Daylynn Kloss
Tenor
Dan Graski
Next year's Cloverbelt All-Conference Band and Choir Concert will be hosted by Neillsville.