VALLEY CITY, N.N. (VCSU) – Valley City State University will induct three standout alumni into the VCSU Music Hall of Fame at an upcoming ceremony during Homecoming weekend.
William “Bill” Wieland ’86, John Monilaws ’87 and Tricia Lebahn ’98 will join the Music Hall of Fame on Sept 20, receiving the VCSU honor that recognizes their standout careers as music educators.
The VCSU Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony is Friday, Sept. 20, at the Valley City Eagles Club. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the VCSU Alumni Office at 701-845-7203.
The VCSU Music Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates VCSU alumni and past professors whose music careers and community service exemplify the highest achievement and professional distinction.
William “Bill” Wieland ‘86
A native of Dazey, N.D., Wieland is an educator, pianist and composer who has taught for 30 years at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. Wieland earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in composite music (piano) from Valley City State
College in 1986. He then earned a Master of Arts in theory and composition from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 1988 and a Doctor of Music in composition from Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) in 1991. Wieland has taught a variety of theory, composition and keyboarding classes at NSU at both the undergraduate and graduate level. He is also a prolific composer, having written and arranged more than 20 liturgical works, a symphonic poem, more than 15 piano works and a double concertino for alto sax, tuba and orchestra. His work as a collaborative pianist is equally impressive working with faculty colleagues, guest artists, NSU ensembles and numerous other groups. Wieland joins more than a hundred music theory instructors each summer to correct more than 18,000 AP Music Theory exams, and most summers he teaches piano at the International Music Camp on the Manitoba/North Dakota border. Currently, he serves as the piano camp
coordinator.
John Monilaws ‘87
John Monilaws served as a music educator at area schools for 30 years and continues to stay involved with VCSU as producer and maestro for the annual EBC Alumni Fraternity “We’re in the Christmas Mood” show. Monilaws earned his degree from VCSU in 1987 and went on to teach at Litchville-Marion and North Central of Barnes County before joining the Lisbon Public School system in 2001. He was the music director at Lisbon for 16 years before retiring in 2017. While in Lisbon, Monilaws taught grades 5-12 band and vocal music for grades 9-12. He organized music trips for high school students that allowed them to perform in places such as New York, Nashville and Disneyland. Under his direction, the Lisbon High School band was named the North Dakota Governor’s Band. He and his students also performed at numerous
community events including Memorial Day services and North Dakota Veteran’s Home programs.
Outside of Lisbon, Monilaws made an impact statewide with more than 15 years as a judge for regional and state music festivals. Most recently he has been employed by Poppler’s Music as a field representative and salesperson, helping him stay connected to the broader music education community in the state and region. Monilaws is the original creator, director and Maestro for the EBC Alumni “We’re in the Christmas Mood” show, which continues to delight audiences each holiday season in the Valley City community. He is also the current director for the Valley Troubadors and was the director for the 61 st EBC Bon Voyage Hit Parade. He received the VCSU Alumni Service Award in 2005 and has been a member of the VCSU V-500 board, Past-President of the VCSU Alumni Board and Past-President of the Valley City Community Theater, Bridges Arts Council, Bonanzaville and the Cass County Historical Society.
Tricia Lebahn ‘98
Lebahn has taught for 25 years in regional schools and is in her 17 th year leading the music program for LaMoure Public Schools. Since Lebahn took over at LaMoure, the music program has seen significant growth and become a point of pride for the school and community. Under her direction, the LaMoure High School Pep Band was awarded the Organization of the Year by the LaMoure Chamber of Commerce in 2018.
A 1998 graduate of VCSU, Lebahn taught in South Dakota and Maple Valley before taking over grades 4-12 music in LaMoure. Her LaMoure High School Choir was chosen as the North Dakota Governor’s Choir and has performed at the North Dakota Music Educators Conference. In 2017, Lebahn was named the State Music Educator of the Year by the North Dakota Music Educators Association and was awarded the National Federation of State High School Associations Outstanding Music Educator Award.
In 2016, Lebahn received the VCSU Certificate of Merit Award. Her instrumental and vocal groups perform at concerts, regional music contests, and community events such as Memorial Day Services. She has personally served as the Choir Director and organist for Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Valley City since 2001.
