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in band during high school. I graduated from Maranatha Baptist University with a degree in Music Education in 2012. How did you end up in Monroe? After graduating from college, I taught for two years in Jefferson. I didn’t know about Monroe until I saw the job opening for band director. I did some research on the city, got an interview, got the job, and brought my husband with me. He’s the band director at Beloit Turner. So how’s life going in Monroe? When we first made the move, we lived on the Square (downtown). It was so fun, to look out the window and see things going on. It made it easy to say – let’s walk there! The only challenge was parking during the Cheese Days Festival. We recently bought a house, and we have a pet ferret named Eleanor Rigby. She has her own Instagram. How is music important in our schools? Studies show that students who participate in music programs also do better in other

subjects because it requires higher level thinking. Music by nature makes use of math skills like counting, patterns, and rhythm. It also provides students with a change of pace during the school day because music requires participative engagement – and gives students the opportunity to express themselves in an artistic way. How is music important in our community? Monroe values music more than any other city I have been in. The appreciation for music is evident in things like Concerts on the Square, programming at Monroe Arts Center, and the pride taken by parents and community members in seeing students perform and succeed. My husband and I are also part of it by playing with the Monroe City Band and the Monroe Brass Quintet. We love the small community atmosphere. How do you measure success in music education? It’s great to see that every graduating class here has music majors and also some in music education. But even for those not going on to study music, there is such a benefit if I can help to foster an appreciation for music, along with giving students the opportunity to develop the life skills that come along with practicing and performing in front of others. I love my job – I look forward to it every day!

We sent out a random (and very unscientific) survey last year asking residents questions like “name a volunteer who does good things for the community” and “name a locally-owned business that has been operating through multiple generations.” With the final question “tell about a teacher,

coach or administrator who makes a difference,” one name kept popping up: Janine Brown. We sat down with Janine to talk about her passion for music education and being the band director at Monroe High School. What’s your background?

GET RHYTHM

Get rhythm when you get the blues. That’s what Johnny Cash recommended. Here in Green County you can enjoy live music at various venues and events. And if you want the blues, we’ve got that too! Monroe Arts Center is your ticket for the best seat in the house. From classical chamber music to contemporary acapella, and everything in between. Bullquarian Brewhouse in Monroe. Coffeehouse music vibe – acoustic solo artists and singer/songwriters, folk duos, Irish pub music, bluegrass jams. Tofflers in New Glarus. Outside on the back deck and patio, or in the bar when the weather turns colder. House band “The Jimmys” generally every other Thursday night. Check for bands on Friday or Saturday nights; Sunday afternoons in summer. New Glarus Hotel and Turner Hall of Monroe have been part of the local entertainment scene (polka party!) for generations. Dancing on Friday and Saturday nights at the hotel, and Sunday afternoons at Turner Hall. Polka Fest in New Glarus (June 9-10), Monroe Balloon and Blues (June 15-16), Monticello Homecoming (July 6-8), New Glarus Blues, Brews & Food Truck Festival (July 14), Green County Cheese Days (September 14-16), New Glarus Oktoberfest (September 28-30). More: Monroe City Band’s summer series at Twining Park, Brodhead Chamber’s “Twilight in the Park” concerts at Veteran’s Park, Belleville’s Music in the Park” series, and Main Street Monroe’s “Concerts on the Square.” See the calendar at the back of the guide for more; get the latest updates at greencounty.org. Mark your calendar for some of our music festivals:

I was involved with music from a super young age – I played piano, trumpet and harp, I accompanied the choir and was

JANINE BROWN – DIRECTING LIFE'S LESSONS

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