Have a great summer!

Welcome to Lester Prairie Schools Band page! My name is Mrs. Helland and I will be starting my 15th year teaching at LP. I grew up in the Stewart/Brownton area and graduated from McLeod West High School in 2002. I graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 2007 with majors in Instrumental and Vocal Music Education and Piano Performance. Before coming to Lester Prairie I taught choir and general music for two years in Silver Bay, Minnesota.

My hours are 7:30am-3:30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
You can reach me by email at helland@lp.k12.mn.us or by phone 320-395-2521 ext 1208.

Contact: Terri Schuft-Helland

2024-2025 Lester Prairie Band Performance Dates

Fall Pep Dates: 

Friday, September 13th, FB 6:30pm

Tuesday, September 17th, VB 6:30pm

Friday, September 20th, FB 6:30pm

Tuesday, October 1st, VB 6:30pm

Monday, October 7th, VB 6:30pm

Thursday, October 10th, FB 6:30pm

Concerts:

“No Tricks, Just Treats”-High School Band Concert: Monday, October 28th,  7:30 pm

                     (6-12 grade band students)

Elementary Concert Thursday, December 12th 7:00 pm (5th grade band students)

High School Band & Choir Concert Monday, December 16th 7:30 pm

         (6-12th grade band and choir students)

Band Concert Monday, March 17th  7:30 pm (5-12th grade band students)

Band Concert Monday, May 12th 7:30 pm (5-12th grade band students)

Other Performances:

         Veteran’s Day, Monday November 11th (During School, 9-12th grade band students)

         Graduation, Friday, May 16th 7pm (9-12th grade band students, optional 6-8th grade)

Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th time TBD

***Possibly Homecoming/Snofest Coronation

Contest Dates:

         Instrumental solo/ensemble, Monday February 10th @ Rockford, after school (Select students from 9-12th grade band)

Instrumental large group, Wednesday March 5th @ Dassel-Cokato (9-12th grade                          band students)

Trips:

Trills and Thrills/Valleyfair May 16th, all day (Junior High Students only)

Contact: Terri Jo Schuft-Helland

Beginning band students will use the following website to help us select instruments:

https://sites.google.com/lp.k12.mn.us/lester-prairie-beginning-band/home

We work with The Music Mart out of Mankato for our beginning band night. If you would like to look at their rental programs here is their website: https://www.themusicmart.biz/

Contact: Terri Jo Schuft-Helland

Band consists of students in grades 6-8 and meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday during 1st hour (815-907). Students also have small group lessons throughout the quarter.

Contact: Terri Jo Schuft-Helland

Senior High band consists of students in grades 9-12 and meets during 3rd hour on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Winter Pep Dates:
Friday November 22nd, GBB 6:30pm
Friday December 6th, BBB 7pm
Tuesday January 14th, BBB 7pm
Thursday January 23rd, GBB 7pm
Friday February 7th, GBB 7pm
Friday February 21st, BBB 7pm

Contact: Terri Jo Schuft-Helland

Jazz Band is for students in grades 7-12. They meet Mondays from 7:30-8:00am. Instruments included are all saxophones, trombones, trumpets, piano, guitar, bass guitar and drums.

Contact: Terri Jo Schuft-Helland

Drumline is for students in grades 7-12. They meet on Wednesdays from 7:30-8:00am.

All students in high school band are eligible to earn a band letter.  You must earn 10 points by completing any of the following activities:

• Performing a solo or in a small ensemble for school concert or contest (2 points for each piece)
• Performing a solo or in a small ensemble for event outside of school (1 point possible for each event)
• Tallying an extra 60 minutes of practice (Signed by parent/guardian or Mrs. Helland) (1 point each practice sheet completed-can earn 5 points total)
• Attending approved concert and written evaluation completed, with program attached (1 point each)
• Listening Evaluation completed (1 point each-3 points total)
• Earning an “A” during Quarters 1-3 (1 point each quarter)
• Performing in musical group outside of school, such as jazz band or drumline (3 points each group)
• Attending an Honor Band or All-State experience (3 points)

Also:
**Each year participating in high school band earns you 2 points

Contact: Terri Jo Schuft-Helland

If you need some music supplies (books, reeds, oil, stands, sticks etc) you can shop through The Music Mart using this link: https://www.themusicmart.biz/c-78-lester-prairie.aspx

These supplies have all been approved by Mrs. Helland and will be delivered to Lester Prairie Schools the following Tuesday after the order is placed.

If ordering supplies through another company, double check with Mrs. Helland to ensure it’s the proper brand, size, strength etc for your child. There is a lot out there and it can be confusing!