Westonka Band Director Selected to Represent Minnesota on Musical Ambassador Tour

by Lorrie Ham

Gretchen Chilson, Band Director at Grandview Middle School and Mound Westonka High School, has been selected to be on the staff of the Minnesota Ambassadors of Music. This group will represent Minnesota on a 16-day tour of seven European countries in July of 2014.  

The Minnesota Ambassadors are comprised of a select concert band and choir made up of students from throughout the state.  

Chilson is in her 10th year of teaching and seventh year in Westonka schools. She holds bachelor degrees in music education and music performance from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, and earned a Masters Degree in clarinet performance from the University of Arizona. Chilson was selected by the tour directors because of her quality leadership of the Westonka bands, and her clarinet performance experience with the Plymouth Concert Band.

“It has been wonderful to join this staff of top-notch band and choir directors from around the state," Chilson said. "So often, each of us feels like an ‘island’ at our own schools, so it’s exciting to work so closely with others to create an unforgettable experience for these music students.”

Students are nominated for the trip by their local band or choir director based on musicianship and character. The tour itinerary will include concerts and sightseeing in London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Italy. The group will spend several days rehearsing together prior to departure.

The late Dr. Frank Bencriscutto and his wife, Jean, founded the Minnesota Ambassadors of Music in 1989. Dr. Ben was the Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota for many years.  

Tour directors are Joni Sutton and Chip Williams. Sutton is a recently retired band director of 33 years from the Osseo School District. Williams taught for 34 years and retired from Wayzata High School in 2010. He also conducts the band on the tour. This is their 11th trip with the Minnesota Ambassadors.

William Krinke, a music teacher for many years in Redwood Falls, is the choir director. Krinke and his wife, Sue, were the Tour Directors prior to Sutton and Williams.