The music and theater programs are a successful and important part of Owatonna High School. The music programs at OHS involve choir (Huskies, Varsity and Concert), orchestra (Huskies, Varsity and Symphony) and band (Huskies, Varsity and Concert). OHS also has a very successful theater program. The theater program (fall and spring play, winter musical and one acts festival) has performed many amazing works throughout the years.
Many students at OHS have been impacted by the music and theater program and have decided to continue and pursue that route in the future, some have even decided to continue in college. Ms. Paula Asmus is a second-year teacher and is the choir, carolers, music director and choreographer for the musicals at the high school. While being very involved in the music program, she is seeing many students pursue their passion for music and theater in college.
Ms. Asmus said, “I think at college, if they are pursuing music and theater, they’re doing it as something they want to be involved in. I think it’s a great way to grow as a musician and also grow as a person.”
The Owatonna Music Department has a tradition of excellence that continues through its many programs. These programs encourage music as a lifelong activity.
Senior Reuel Borkenhagen has been in many OHS theater productions and is part of the Concert Choir, Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra. He will be attending Bethany Lutheran College next year to pursue theater with a talent scholarship.
Borkenhangen said, “It’s always been my favorite of the extracurriculars that I’ve done. I’ve tried a lot of them and theater has always been the one where I think I do my best at, the one I enjoy the most.”
The OHS music and theater department provides many opportunities for students who are interested in that department, as well as giving them many opportunities for future plans. The program is very successful in pushing students to succeed in future music programs.
