Fine Arts

Director: Eric Zimmerman

The Mankato East Band Program has many facets that are centered around the full band experience. There are two bands that rehearse daily during school, The East Concert Band and the Symphonic Band. They both perform in the Fall Concert, Holiday Concert, Contest/Concert and the Spring Concert. Both groups participate in the Region 2AA Large Group and Solo/Ensemble Contests. Membership from both groups is drawn for Pep Band, Homecoming and Commencement. Concert Band membership is by audition. They also participate in the Big Nine Music Festival and travel every other year with Jazz 1. The Jazz Bands are very active at East High School and are open to all band members 9-12 by audition. They practice before school and participate in a variety of concerts, school assemblies and jazz festivals. Percussion Ensemble and other ensembles are formed as interest dictates.

Mankato East Music Department Website 

Director: Andrea Brinkman

The choirs at Mankato East offer all singers an opportunity to enjoy performing music of many cultures and styles. There are three choirs at East that rehearse each day. All the choirs perform at three major concerts each year and participate in the Region 2AA Large Group Contest. The Concert Choir also performs at the annual Big 9 Music Festival, Homecoming and Commencement. Membership is by audition. East Chamber Singers is an auditioned jazz choir that rehearses before school and participates in various concerts and festivals. Other ensembles are formed as interest dictates.

Mankato East Music Department Website 

Advisor: Amber Waibel

One Act Play is a Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) sponsored activity that would take place in the winter season with a culminating state tournament in February..  A production may use any genre of literature except musicals, operas, or operettas.  Productions may be either serious or comic or any combination.  The number of students in the cast and production crew competing must not exceed 20 students. 

Director: Alicia Corbett

Orchestra is open to all students who play a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello and bass) and rehearses daily.  During the year, the orchestra performs several concerts including the December Concert, StringFest, the BIG 9 Music Festival, and the Spring Pops Concert.  Along these concerts we participate in the 2AA Large Group Contest and solo ensemble.  Winds, brass, and percussion are added to the strings to perform music written for full orchestra on Wednesdays beginning in the middle of October.  Orchestra members also have the opportunity to be in the Mariachi Ensemble and a Christmas Ensemble.  These groups meet before school on Wednesday.  The orchestra takes a major tour every two years.

Mankato East Music Department Website 

Director: David Holmes

The theatre program at Mankato East High School provides opportunity for all students in grades 9-12 to participate in all aspects of play production, including acting, set construction, makeup, lighting, sound, costuming, publicity and directing.