St. Croix Sounds
BY DR. KRIS TJORNEHOJ : EDUCATOR, SPEAKER, AND GLOBAL ADVOCATE FOR SERVICE AND THE ARTS
Governor Evers Appoints Kristin Tjornehoj to Wisconsin Arts Board, Reappoints Four Others
Governor Tony Evers has appointed Kristin Tjornehoj of Hudson to the Wisconsin Arts Board, which nurtures creativity, cultivates expression, promotes the arts, supports the arts in education, stimulates community and economic development and serves as a resource for people of every culture and heritage. Dr. Tjornehoj succeeds board member Mari Lindsey Schneider of Lancaster.
Introducing the St. Croix Sound Symphony Orchestra
End of Year & 2026 Fundraising
Checks can be sent to: St. Croix Sounds c/o; ArtReach St. Croix 224 4th Street Stillwater, MN. 55082
Fall Invitation Letter
I hope your summer was filled with renewal, warm moments of love, peace, joy and a bit of adventure. As we step into the new season, I invite you to play with St. Croix Sounds. The Wind Orchestra session group’s first event is Friday, Oct. 23, 7 PM concert at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, MN. This concert will feature composer Gregory Fritze (https://gregoryfritze.com) in residence and highlight some of his music. He is a brilliant composer who writes such a variety of sounds with eloquence. Gregory has plans to be in residence for our dress rehearsal and the concert.
Google Doc to please sign up here. Feel free to share this email and information with exceptional musicians as we have a total of 5 rehearsals to prepare and bring our art to the public. Rehearsals will be at Stillwater High School Band Room. If there is any musician (adults, semi-professional or all-state quality level) I should extend an invitation to, please let me know. Happy to build this group for a quality and positive musical experience for everyone involved.
The spring concert is in April and will feature a world premiere and performance by internationally acclaimed Spanish clarinetist Manuel Martinez. More details soon.
Salon concerts continue monthly at the Rivertown Inn in Stillwater, MN. The SCS Orchestra will perform 3 holiday concerts for those interested. Your participation is encouraged and celebrated for any events. The website is updated quite regularly, and I will roll out the season as things are firmed up for the St. Croix Sounds Music Society.
Prior Debuts & Upcoming Trips
Manuel Martinez, Clarinet Guest Artist for the Debut of St. Croix Sound Wind Orchestra
Three Rivers Concert Band Greece 2026
NAFPLIO | OLYMPIA | DELPHI | ATHENS
MAY 26 – JUNE 4, 2026
Oscar Navarro Stillwater Highschool Concert Wind Symphony Concert
St. Croix Sound is an organization designed to promote and produce musical events in the greater St. Croix Valley region.
Founded by Dr. Kristin Tjornehoj, the high-quality offerings include wind orchestra, symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, educational clinics, and commissions/premiers of new compositions. Working with international and nationally acclaimed musicians, collaboration with people of all ages is the goal.
As a regional arts center, the St. Croix Valley offers many venues for concerts and events. Our vision is to share multiple productions in the region from arts centers to churches, historic homes to private ones, and schools to concert halls.
A 501-C,3 supported organization, Art Reach St. Croix brings fiscal sponsor so we can produce high-quality musical art performances for the local and regional east metro communities surrounding such as Stillwater, Hastings and Red Wing, Minnesota to Hudson, River Falls and St. Croix Falls, WI. St. Croix Sound will provide educational, performance, clinic and varied experiences for local, regional and emerging performing artists/composers.
Founded by Dr. Kristin Tjornehoj, she brings experience in education, conducting, producing, commissioning and offering quality events.
Press
Kris Tjornehoj, a longtime music professor at UW-River Falls, leads UW-River Falls musicians during a performance in the Kleinpell Fine Arts building on Oct. 6 as part of the university’s homecoming celebration. Tjornehoj, who is active in other regional music endeavors, is retiring after 31 years at the university and 44 teaching music.
As strong believers in the power of the arts to inspire, unite, and uplift communities, we are excited to share the debut of St. Croix Sound a newly formed musical collective rooted in our valley. Dedicated to creating extraordinary and transformative musical experiences, our mission is to connect with audiences while nurturing collaboration and artistic growth.
Testimonial
She was AMAZING!!! Truly inspiring. THANK YOU!!!! You provided a fire and reminded me why I do what I do and to continue to strive for excellence!" Wisconsin School Nurse Association Keynote Address, April 2025
The Wisconsin Association of School Nurses had the distinct pleasure of hearing from Kristin Tjornehoj at our 2025 Annual Conference. Kristin crafted an original message to uplift the work of school nurses. Her presentation style was constructed with the same eloquence and talent of one creating a musical composition. It had a blend of high and low notes that drew the listener in and brought tears to our eyes (while at least my own). Her motivational presentation was well received and very much appreciated by myself and school nurse colleagues.
Kris Tjornehoj crafted a keynote presentation for the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses’ conference after researching the issues affecting school nurses. She provided an empowering message reminding school nurses of the power they have to affect students’ lives.
“Truly inspiring!” - “You provided a fire and reminded me why I do what I do and to continue to strive for excellence” - “Amazing information on advocacy and acknowledging one's value” were comments shared by attendees.
If you are interested in learning more or would like to be involved, please send an email to kristin.tjornehoj@gmail.com. We look forward to sharing this musical journey with you!