Memorial High School (Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
| Memorial High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
|
2225 Keith Street Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701 United States |
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| Coordinates | 44°47′45″N 91°28′20″W / 44.79585°N 91.47211°WCoordinates: 44°47′45″N 91°28′20″W / 44.79585°N 91.47211°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public secondary |
| School district | Eau Claire Area School District |
| Superintendent | Mary Ann Hardebeck |
| School code | 500575 |
| Principal | Trevor Kohlhepp |
| Staff | 167 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Gender | coed |
| Enrollment | 1704 |
| School colour(s) | Purple and white |
| Fight song | On Memorial |
| Athletics conference | Big Rivers Conference |
| Nickname | Old Abes |
| Rival | North (Eau Claire) High School |
| Website | Memorial High School |
Memorial High School is one of two public high schools in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the other being North High School. The two private secondary schools in the city are Immanuel Lutheran and Regis.
The largest of Eau Claire's four high schools, Memorial is built on a three-block campus with a student enrollment of 1737 and a staff of over 150. AP classes are offered in English, art, music, science, social sciences, and math. The school's mascot is Old Abe.
The standard for music excellence in the Eau Claire School District was set by Sarge Boyd back in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s when his bands won nearly every contest they entered. Many of his students went on to play in the Eau Claire Municipal Band, which he also directed. In recognition of his contributions to the school and the cultural development of the community, the bandshell in Owen Park was dedicated to him.
Memorial High School's band program consists of six concert bands and three jazz ensembles. The top concert band is the Old Abe Wind Ensemble, the next level down being the Memorial Concert Band. Membership in both is through auditions for grades 10–12. The two "Eagle Bands" are open to grades 10–12 without audition. Incoming freshmen are placed in frosh bands. The top jazz band, Jazz Ensemble 1, as well as Jazz Ensemble 2, are auditioned bands open to grades 10–12. A limited number of 10th graders, as well as incoming 9th graders are placed in Jazz Ensemble 3.
Memorial's Jazz Ensemble 1 has been selected five times as one of 15 finalists for the Essentially Ellington jazz competition in New York. In 2008 the ensemble received 147 of 150 points for its submitted recordings, which is a school record. The 2009 Jazz Ensemble 1 placed third at the Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition, and was named one of the best bands in the country. A notable Jazz performer from the school is Justin Vernon, the lead man of Bon Iver.
The MHS jazz program has performed with artists such as the Count Basie Orchestra, Ed Shaughnessy and The Tonight Show All-Stars, Geoff Keezer, the Art Blakey Jazz Messenger Legacy Band, Maynard Ferguson, Clark Terry, Phil Markowitz, DIVA, and the United States Air Force Notables Jazz Band.
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