The band program at Mitchell is known world-wide for its excellence in performance and education. Performing groups at Mitchell, such as the Symphony Band, have performed with high levels of musicianship at music festivals around the United States and Canada. Mitchell band students are also actively involved with private lessons, solo/ensemble, jazz ensemble, and the Junior and Senior Lighthouse Brigade Marching Bands of Racine. 1994/95 Mr. Rex Rukavina becomes director of bands at Mitchell in late September. The combined 7th and 8th grade band performs "Baccahanale" by French composer Saint-Saens at the annual Band-A-Rama. Trumpeter Randy Rovik is the guest soloist at the spring band concert. 1995/96 The clarinet choir receives a superior rating at the district solo/ensemble contest. The 7th and 8th grade jazz combos are formed and separate jazz concerts are held in the little theater. Saxophonist Steve Jacob is the guest soloist at the spring jazz concert. Mr. Rukavina premieres his new composition for percussion ensemble entitled, "African Explorations". Saxophonist Tim Bell is the guest soloist at the spring band concert. 1996/97 The Mitchell Symphony Band is formed and travels to St. Louis, Missouri to perform at the Heritage Music Festival. The clarinet choir, 8th grade jazz combo and the jazz ensemble receive superior ratings at the district solo/ensemble contest. Trombonist Jon Klokow is the guest soloist at the spring jazz concert. Four Mitchell staff members - Mr. Allen, Mr. Nickelsen, Mr. Suhr and Mr. Wiegel - are the guest "soloists" at the spring band concert. The 8th grade concert band performs a concert for 20 visiting Japanese educators. 1997/98 The Mitchell Symphony Band travels to Minneapolis, Minnesota to perform at the Heritage Music Festival and Gurnee, Illinois to perform at the Trills and Thrills Music Festival. The Symphony Band, in competition with 30 other middle and high school performing groups, receives the "Spirit of Minneapolis Award". The flute choir, saxophone quartet and jazz ensemble receive superior ratings at the district solo/ensemble contest. Saxophonist Pat Odell is the guest soloist at the spring jazz concert. Mr. Rukavina premiers his arrangement of prelude music from the movie, "Psycho" and his new composition for band entitled, "Transitions". Trombonist Doug Clum is the guest soloist at the spring band concert. 1998/99 The Mitchell Symphony Band travels to Toronto, Ontario, Canada to perform at the Heritage Music Festival and Gurnee, Illinois to perform at the Trills and Thrills Music Festival The clarinet choir, flute choir, and 7th grade jazz combo receive superior ratings at the district solo/ensemble contest. Percussionist Mark Pulice is the guest soloist at the spring jazz concert. Mr. Rukavina premiers his new composition for percussion ensemble entitled, "Grooves". Five Mitchell staff members - Mr. Allen, Mrs. Kuhl, Mr. Nickelsen, Mrs. Syslack, and Mr. Wiegel are the guest "soloists" for the piece entitled, "Faculty vs Band - The Final Conflict". 1999/00 The Mitchell Symphony Band travels to Williamsburg, Virginia to perform at the Heritage Music Festival and Gurnee, Illinois to perform at the Trills and Thrills Music Festival. The Symphony Band, in competition with 10 middle and high school groups in Williamsburg, receives the highest score for an instrumental group at the festival and is invited to the 2001 "Festival Of Gold" in Dallas, Texas. The Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir and 7th Grade Jazz Combo recieve superior ratings at the district solo/ensemble contest. UW-Whitewater senior music major Kurt Klingenmeyer - a former Mitchell student - is the guest soloist on alto saxophone at the spring band concert. The band department produces its first digitally recorded CD of music from the spring band concerts. 2000/01 The Mitchell Symphony Band travels to Atlanta, Georgia for the Heritage Music Festival and Gurnee, Illinois for the Trills and Thrills Music Festival. In Atlanta, the Symphony Band competes in the high school division and comes in third place while also earning a silver trophy. At the Trills and Thrills Music Festival, the Symphony Band receives a combined score of 94 points - earning a superior award. The Mitchell Jazz Ensemble earns a superior rating at the RUSD District Jazz Festival. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater music major and former Mitchell student, Alan Klingenmeyer, is the guest trumpet soloist for the spring band concert. The music department produces its second CD and also includes recordings of the jazz ensemble and the Mitchell orchestras. Professional jazz trumpeter, Eric Jacobson, is the guest soloist at the spring jazz concert.