The Coon Rapids Contingent is made up of three WSU music students: Alan Rewitzer, Justin Smith, and Kate Hujda.  All hailing from the same hometown of Coon Rapids, MN, these musicians have been playing music together since they were 14 years old.  Classmates since kindergarten, Alan and Kate became close friends through mutual involvement in marching band. When Kate convinced Justin to join as well, it was just the beginning. Throughout high school they played in numerous ensembles, including concert bands and orchestras, jazz ensemble and combo, competitive winter drumline and pit orchestra for musicals.

It was by chance that all three ended up at Winona State University, but their history continues on as each are very involved in the music world in their own way:

Alan’s interests lie mainly in trumpet performance, having the opportunity to play in such groups as the MN Youth Jazz Band and Madison Scouts. Alan became interested in jazz in high school.  “I listened to the album Kind of Blue everyday for at least a year… Miles Davis’ style and creativity changed the way I looked at the trumpet.” Alan was also influenced by the 1995 performance of the Madison Scouts drum and bugle corps. “It was pretty much the most amazing thing I had ever seen or heard…it’s what really got me excited about marching band and drum corps.”

Justin Smith’s musical interests are quite varied. Justin is an aspiring composer whose music has been played by the WSU basketball pep band and has also been programmed on the WSU Student Composer’s recitals. “I enjoyed seeing Dr. Brisson and Dr. Mohr perform my Variations on a Theme of Hoagy Carmichael for four hands piano last spring. I plan to arrange one or two things this year as well.” He also enjoys playing his bass in band and orchestra, electric bass in the jazz ensemble, and sousaphone in the Dixie Midnight Runners. “Some people would think I get really busy, but I enjoy playing so much that it's more than ok to me to be in many ensembles at once.”

The three stay close to other high school friends who study at other schools across the nation as well. When back in the cities, they spend time at the Dakota jazz club and Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis and also spend time experimenting in the band Applaud Jane Larson.

Though each are music students, Alan, Justin and Kate all have very different career and educational goals. After studying with Larry Foyen, a trumpet player living locally after touring with Maynard Ferguson, Alan decided to make playing trumpet his career. “His support gave me the confidence I needed to actually pursue a career playing professionally.”

Kate plans to continue her education and obtain a graduate degree in English studies, with a focus in either poetry or Shakespearean drama. “Studying Shakespeare’s work was one of the most amazing things to happen to me in my time at WSU and I eventually would like to share that experience with others.”

Justin, on the other hand, says that though he is interested in musicology, ethnomusicology, jazz studies, composition and theory, his “ultimate plan is to see what happens with playing music and/or writing it.” Regardless of what field, he intends pursue a graduate degree go on to teach college level music courses.

.