La Crosse Wind Symphony

Meet Jeff Krauklis, the man behind the formation of the La Crosse Wind Ensemble.

JEFF C. KRAUKLIS retired as a band director in 2019 after a thirty-five year teaching career, the last twenty-eight years in the Holmen Schools. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, studying conducting with Donald E. Greene and his Master of Music Degree in Wind Conducting from Northwestern University, where he was a student of John P. Paynter. Prior to Holmen, he held teaching positions in Galesville, Wisconsin and Menominee, Michigan, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at UW-La Crosse where he conducted the Symphonic Band and at Viterbo University, where he instructs Instrumental Techniques. He was in the conducting rotation of the La Crosse Concert Band for over twenty years and was a long-time section leader, board member and officer on the Executive Committee.

An active composer, Krauklis has arranged or composed over 200 works for band, orchestra, jazz band, marching band, chorus and show choir. An avid performer and brass teacher, he maintains an active trumpet studio and performs frequently in the greater La Crosse area as a soloist, in brass quintets, and in classical and jazz ensembles. Krauklis has served as trumpet coach for the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) Middle Level State Honors Band and on the state board of directors for the Wisconsin chapter of the National Band Association. He was also a long-time adjudicator and clinician with WSMA.