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
Upcoming Events:
Concerts Spring 2026
Please consider joining me for this exciting event on August 4, 2026. Salon Concert: Rivertown Inn, Stillwater, MN.
Reservations required – see flyer below.
Peter Sheppard Skærved collaborates with museums worldwide. He has collaborated and held residencies at the Metropolitan Museum New York City, British Museum, the Royal Museums Brussels, the Tate Gallery, to name just a few. His interventions result in performances of old and new works, film, podcasts, and exhibitions (he curated a major exhibit ‘Only Connect’ at London’s Portrait Gallery). This week he returns to the great MIA gallery in Minneapolis (with whom he has collaborated since 2017), to respond to Renaissance Art in the collection.
About the performance:
Peter Sheppard Skærved collaborates with museums worldwide. He has collaborated and held residencies at the Metropolitan Museum New York City, British Museum, the Royal Museums Brussels, the Tate Gallery, to name just a few. His interventions result in performances of old and new works, film, podcasts, and exhibitions (he curated a major exhibit ‘Only Connect’ at London’s Portrait Gallery). This week he returns to the great MIA gallery in Minneapolis (with whom he has collaborated since 2017), to respond to Renaissance Art in the collection.
It is so appropriate to bring these music/art dialogues to lovely Rivertown Inn, which is a beautiful example of how art and life can dialogue.Today’s salon explores some of these explorations: there will be works by Peter’s collaborating composers counterpoint Hogarth, Paul Klee, Dürer, Barbara Hepworth and more. There will also be poetry: Malene Sheppard Skærved responds to the Apollo Belvedere.
With a guest performance by cellist Philip Sheppard, Stillwater resident.
Requested $20 donation at the door at each performance. Students are free.
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!