2008 Concert Schedule

Each concert features a Children's March during which younger listeners parade through the aisles with American flags.

All concerts take place Wednesday nights in Riverside Park, Downtown La Crosse unless otherwise indicated.

In the event of rain, concerts scheduled at Riverside Park will be performed at our NEW RAIN SITE: Logan Middle School, beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Concert Programs

June 11, 2008     Let the Music Begin           Alex Vaver, Conductor                     

June 18, 2008      America in Song        Jeff Krauklis, Conductor

June 25, 2008     Concert Hall Spectacular II  Alex Vaver, Conductor

Viterbo University's Performing Arts Center
Sponsored by The Robert Emery Family and the Ho-Chunk Nation

July 9, 2008       Easy on the Ears                Jeff Krauklis, Conductor                       

July 16, 2008      From Sin to Salvation         Chris Werner, Conductor

July 23, 2008    Musical Jewels in July          Alex Vaver, Conductor

July 30, 2008     All American Melodies         Rick Young, Conductor

The Conductors

Jeff Krauklis

Jeff Krauklis is a native of the very musical town of Elkhorn, Wisconsin.  He grew up around music and began playing cornet in fifth grade.  He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with his BME.  Mr. Krauklis earned his Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University, having studied under John P. Paynter.  Over twenty years ago Mr. Krauklis came to the La Crosse area as the band director at G-E-T High School.  He is currently the director of bands at Holmen Middle School.  Mr. Krauklis began playing trumpet in the La Crosse Concert Band in 1991, and joined in the regular rotation of conductors in 1998.  He is currently Vice President of the organization and section leader for much of the band's brass.  As a conductor, he enjoys selecting programs with an eclectic mix of old and new music in a variety of styles.  When not performing or conducting music, Jeff spends much of his time off composing and arranging music.  He has nearly 200 instrumental and vocal works to his credit, several of which have been performed by LCB.  Other pursuits include enjoying the outdoors and following Wisconsin's many college and professional sports teams.

Alex Vaver

Alex Vaver is enjoying his retirement after serving as Director of Bands at La Crosse Central High School for 30 years.  Previous to this position, he taught in Caledonia, Minnesota, as well as UW-La Crosse.  Mr. Vaver is a graduate of MacPhail School of Music (BME) and Moorhead State University (MME), with further study at Winona State University of Minnesota and UW-Madison.  A conducting student of Frederick Fennel, he has served as conductor of the La Crosse Concert Band, La Crosse Community Theater, and as an Assistant Conductor of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra.  His professional activities include WMEC State Chair for Band, and several offices of the National Band Association-Wisconsin Chapter including President.  Mr. Vaver is currently the President of La Crosse Concert Band and is adjunct faculty at Winona State University.  He holds a commercial pilot's license and plays golf often.

Chris Werner

Chris Werner is a native of Medford, Wisconsin and is currently an instrumental music teacher at La Crosse Central High School.  He is Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Pep Band and team-teaches the Red Raider Marching Band along with instrumental lessons.  Before pursuing graduate studies, he taught Middle and High School bands in both Rice Lake and Medford, Wisconsin. Christopher holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting degree from the University of Nebraska where he studied with Director of Bands Dr. Carolyn Barber and Director of Orchestras Dr. Tyler White.  He has the distinction of being the first University of Nebraska DMA recipient of the Wind Conducting degree and also the first Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts F. Pace Woods Scholar in Music.  At the University of Nebraska he held positions of Conductor of the UNL Brass Ensemble, Assistant Conductor of the UNL Wind Ensemble, and also served as an assistant with the nationally-renown Cornhusker Marching Band and Assistant Conductor of the Big Red Express athletic ensembles.  He also holds the Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he studied with Professor Thomas Dvorak.

Richard Young

Richard Young was born and raised in La Crosse.  He graduated from La Crosse State University (UW-L) in 1969 and became  director of bands choirs for West Salem High School.  He served as director of bands until 1980 when he became associate director for the Central High School Bands.  Mr. Young was also active in local youth music activities, serving as brass caption head and arranger for the First Federal Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps from 1969 to 1979.  In 1993, Young began playing trumpet as a regular member of La Crosse Concert Band.  He has been the director of the West Salem Adult Jazz Band since 1994.  He retired from the School District of La Crosse in June 2002.  Since then he has been very active as a Master Adjudicator and clinician for the Wisconsin School Music Association.  Mr. Young also serves as a consultant to the Blue Stars, and finds time to play with area ensembles as needed.  This is his third year as a conductor for the La Crosse Concert Band.