Kettle Moraine Symphony's Mission
To provide outstanding orchestral performances that engage the community
and inspire and educate audiences of all ages.
Our Story
Kettle Moraine Symphony was founded in 1968 as “Moraine Symphony Orchestra” by the late Albert (Bud) Asch and a group of classical music enthusiasts, and was sponsored by University of Wisconsin – Washington County in West Bend, Wis. The Kettle Moraine Symphony has since grown to become a regional orchestra whose approximately 60 playing members and its Board of Directors come from 20 different communities in the Kettle Moraine area.
Moraine Symphony Orchestra, d⁄b⁄a Kettle Moraine Symphony, is a 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization that relies on community support, grants, donations, and sponsorships.
Message From Our President
Welcome back to real, live performances of the Kettle Moraine Symphony! We are living in unprecedented times. The KMS, like all of us, has been highly impacted by the pandemic. Fortunately, our community is resilient, our spirit thrives, and our musicians are prepared with another new season of beautiful music beginning in September 2022.
Thank you for your support as we came back to the stage in September 2021. We all feel extremely lucky to be surrounded by such a generous and appreciative audience for the arts, and we thank each and every one of you. Enjoy the moment!
– Gaytha Hillman, President
Audition Information
If you are interested in finding a musically challenging and rewarding playing experience, check out our Audition Opportunities page and submit the audition request form.
Contact Us
To order tickets by phone, please call 262-334-3469 and leave a message.
For any other question or concern, you will receive a quicker response by filling out the form below.
Get To Know Your Symphony
Symphony Members Tell Their Stories
- Erik Holmes – Classics, rock, ‘straight ahead’ jazz are his beat
- Matthew Walker – Trombonist makes the music, and the horns too
- Christine Wiese – Cello was the ticket to a world of opportunities
- David Magoon – Not just trumpet, not just classical – good music is everywhere
- Kathy Parsons – She followed her heart to learn many instruments
- Diane Czaplewski – The wannabe flutist
Meet Sarah Emran, Concertmaster
Although a first-generation musician, Sarah Emran was exposed to art and culture from an early age through her multicultural heritage. Her exposure to the arts grew under string teachers like Elizabeth Zempel, Jamie Hofman, Suzanne Ignaszak, and Anna Grace Overmiller (Van Gelderen), with whom Sarah developed as both a soloist as well as a chamber musician. Her experiences as a chamber musician increased through opportunities with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, where Sarah served as co-principal/principal violist for four years, as well as with Falls Baptist Music School’s Chamber Strings, a conductorless ensemble with which Sarah performed at Chicago’s Midwest Clinic in both 2010 and 2019.
In 2017, after completing her bachelor’s degree at Baptist College of Ministry, Sarah began her graduate studies at Indiana University under Mimi Zweig with an emphasis in teaching and pedagogy. She continues her graduate work with Liberal Studies at IU, as well as a Church Music degree (Concordia, Wisconsin).
Sarah is passionate about developing the next generation through the tools of music and academics. In addition to private lesson and group instruction, Sarah also teaches a number of courses on both the college and pre-college level, including high-school music arts and junior-high literature. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys researching politics and the arts, as well as spending quality time with mentors, friends, and family.
Seeking Energetic Board Members
The Kettle Moraine Symphony invites you to consider becoming a board or committee volunteer for a great community orchestra serving West Bend and Washington County.
We particularly have a need for ambitious new members who are not players in the orchestra. Members of our board share an appreciation of music and believe that the arts add to the quality of life in the community.
We typically perform four concerts a year and may host a fundraiser. Our board meets every month in West Bend or Jackson. Committee members meet as needed.
If you are interested in joining us or learning more, please let us know by contacting Connie Schulist at 262-334-3469 (leave a message.)
Our Board of Directors
- Gaytha Hillman, President
- Amy Campbell, Vice President
- Peter Gibeau, Secretary
- Jill Furman, Treasurer
- Jill Badzinski
- Erika Gayhart
- Diana Jonen
- Lisa Perner Kitzke
- John Lamm
- Joyce Malloy
- Hannah Muehlbauer
- Mike Phillips
- Rita Sepersky
- Nancy Wiedmeyer
VIPs
Richard Hynson, Music Director and Conductor
Hannah Muehlbauer, Operations Manager and Music Librarian
Joseph Steinbart, Personnel Manager
Alex Hornung, Stage Manager
Mary Beth Winkowski, Grant Writer
Volunteers
If you’re interested in short term or occasional volunteer opportunities, call Hannah Muehlbauer at 262-334-3469.
Albert "Bud" Asch, Founder
Founder and former music director, Albert “Bud” Asch, had his roots in northern Kentucky, but was Washington County’s dean of music since the 1960’s when he was hired to head the music department at what is now called UWM at Washington County.
As one of the founders of the symphony, Bud served as music director and principal conductor for most of its history, retiring and passing the baton to Paul Thorgaard between 2008 and 2010. He also pursued many other avocations, including professional quality photography, tennis, woodworking and motorcycle touring.
Bud passed away on April 14, 2012 but his enthusiasm for life, people, and his hobbies, and his dedication to music left an indelible impression on everyone who knew him.
See Remembering Bud.
Paul Thorgaard, Past Music Director
Paul N. Thorgaard served as conductor and music director of the Kettle Moraine Symphony between 2006 and 2016, moving to the podium from the viola section. From 1974 to 2006 he was Director of Orchestras at Wauwatosa East High School and Longfellow Middle School. In May 1995, Mr. Thorgaard was awarded a Kohl Fellowship for excellence in teaching by the Senator Herbert Kohl Educational Foundation. In April, 2003, he was awarded the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee’s Award for Excellence in Instrumental Music. He is a member of Music Educators National Conference and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and serves as a Master Adjudicator for Wisconsin School Music Association Festivals.
As an undergraduate Paul studied clarinet with Russell Dagon and Jack Snavely. As a graduate student he studied violin with Dr. Gerald Fischbach, and Dr. Abram Loft. He holds Master of Music in Conducting, Master of Science in Educational Administration, and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Education degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Mr. Thorgaard also serves as Music Director at Galilee Lutheran Church in Pewaukee.
