Watertown Area Chamber Orchestra

03/05/2026

We are saddened to share that Carol Erickson passed away earlier this week. Carol played piano with Watertown Area Chamber Orchestra for a number of years. We will miss her playing skills and her beautiful knitting to pass the time while we were rehearsing a song that did not have a piano part. Her reach as a musician far surpasses her time with the orchestra, being a long time church musician, solo/ensemble accompanist, Euterpe Choir accompanist, Senior Center and Senior living facilities musician, Watertown Players accompanist, and much more. Please keep her family and those who knew her as a friend or fellow musician in your prayers.

https://www.hafemeisterfh.com/obituaries/Carol-J-Erickson?obId=47470001&source=tco_email&utm_source=email&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=obituary-share&utm_content=decedent-image&fbclid=IwZnRzaAQW4ydleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEekCL_ZBjOtcrF1Hvehcjig6yafyQeYI0XXpIeD9ApH_jDqhhXxHSJpvvFNF0_aem_UEiRjtIKK2j61Vc4Ntjrpg

View Carol J. Erickson's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

02/09/2026

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Bill & Juanita Edington
Don & Georgia Heinemeier
Ron Leroy
Kristen Curran & Carl Strayer
John & Terri Janke
Rick & Gayle Ninmann
Pamela & Benjamin Whitcomb
Gary & Sharon Goessner
Doug & Gail Hoffman
Gregg & Mary Hughes
Christopher & Theresa Oestreicher
Zach & Carrie Oster
Jane Rakos
White House of Music
Dan & Kris Hereth
Robert Toomey

SPECIAL THANKS
To the Watertown Unified School District for the use of rehearsal and concert space
To the WHS custodial staff for assistance with facility use
To the Jenkins family for creating posters
To Lyon’s Irish Pub for hosting the post-concert reception
To the audience for their support of this community ensemble

The WACO Board wishes to thank the musicians and director for sharing their time and talent with the ensemble and community

01/31/2026

Coming up in just seven days—Our 2026 Watertown Area Chamber Orchestra Concert. 3:00 p.m., Watertown High School Auditorium, 825 Endeavour Drive, Watertown, WI 53098. Free to the public, but donations will be accepted. Dr. Walter Rich, Conductor

Declaration Overture-Claude Smith
On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss-David R. Holsinger
Waltz # 5-Johann Strauss
The Iliad-Soon Hee Newbold
Two Puccini Arias-Giacomo Puccini, arr. Chris M. Bernotas
Uplifted-Brian Balmages
Waltz-Hari Hylkilä
War March of the Priests-Felix Mendelssohn
Highlights from Wicked-Stephen Schwartz, arr. Ted Ricketts
Radetzky March-Johann Strauss, Sr., arr. Merle J. Isaac

Thanks to Lillyanna Jenkins for creating one of our posters.

11/17/2025

As the weather turns colder, we are looking ahead to the 2026 season of the Watertown Area Chamber Orchestra beginning soon. We look forward to your continuing participation with the group. If you haven’t yet, please add this email address to your address book for future communications from the orchestra. [email protected]

Rehearsals begin on Sunday, January 4 from 6:30-8:30 pm at Watertown High School (825 Endeavour Dr, Watertown, WI 53098) in the Band Room. Please enter through the North (Music) Wing door. Rehearsals will continue every Sunday until the concert.

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, February 7 at 3:00 pm with set up beginning at noon at Watertown High School. Concert attire is all black for women and tuxedos for men.

Please take a moment and click the following link to complete the very short form to update or confirm your contact information and indicate your availability for the 2026 season. (Please complete the form whether you are able to participate this year or not.)

Click the link below to COMPLETE THE 2026 FORM.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDj8t47suFHQkhbiViH2GBMojy8H2gaD17oSwqLj3STjLCkw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=107610997071193736834

You’ll have to change the account and fill out the form with your information. Please fill out even if November 15 has passed, especially if you are an interested string player.

Please complete this form as soon as possible. Responding by Saturday, November 15 is preferred so the board can fill any vacancies. Thank you for your prompt response.

We are always looking to expand our string section. Please feel free to extend an invitation to any string player who may enjoy being a part of our group.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Theresa Janke Oestreicher
on behalf of the Board

--
Watertown Area Chamber Orchestra
Watertown, Wisconsin

Please complete this form so that we have your most current contact information on file. This info will be used to contact you in the case of a cancellation or other urgent communication. It will be kept secure and confidential.

01/08/2025

Mark your calendars

This year’s concert—February 8, 3:00 p.m. at Watertown High School, Watertown, Wisconsin

Rehearsals have just begun, so will update with concert selections soon.

01/02/2024

Rehearsals start Jan. 7, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m.
Watertown H.S. Band room

11/13/2023

It may be hard to believe, but the 2024 season of the Watertown Area Chamber Orchestra is beginning soon.

Rehearsals begin on Sunday, January 7 from 6:30-8:30 pm at Watertown High School (825 Endeavour Dr, Watertown, WI 53098) in the Band Room. Please enter through the North (Music) Wing door. Rehearsals will continue every Sunday until the concert.

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, at 3:00 pm with a call time of 1:00 pm at Watertown High School. Concert attire is all black for women and tuxedos for men.

We are always looking to expand our string section. Please feel free to extend an invitation to any string player who may enjoy being a part of our group.

To indicate interest in participating, or find out additional information, please send a message with your name and contact information. Hope to see some new faces.

02/03/2023

Watertown Area Chamber Orchestra
PRESENTS A WINTER CONCERT
Saturday, February 11, 2023
3:00 p.m.
Watertown High School Auditorium
Dr. Walter Rich – Conductor
DeWayne Roberson – Guest Conductor

Featuring:
A Mark in Time – in remembrance of Mark Leiser
An American Suite – Dvorak
Belle of the Ball – Anderson
Sounds of Hollywood – Calvin Custer
Free Will Offering

01/09/2023

We had our first rehearsal of the season on January 8th. We could use some additional violinists, but other strings are also welcome. We rehearse 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday evenIngs at Watertown High School, 825 Endeavour Dr., Watertown, WI. Our concert will come up quickly, February 11, 2023 at 3:00 p.m., so attendance at the remaining rehearsals would be expected. Let us know if you have any questions.