Pierre LaPlante composer / arranger

A lifelong student and teacher of music, Pierre LaPlante was born September 25, 1943, in West Allis, Wis. He grew up in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. where he was active in the high school band, choir, and theater. LaPlante received a Music Clinic tuition scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he earned his Bachelor of Music (1967) and Master of Music (1972) degrees.

In the fall of 1967, LaPlante began his teaching career in the Blanchardville, Wis. public school system (now Pecatonica Area Schools). There, he directed the high school band and chorus. In 1972, LaPlante went to Prescott, Wis. to direct the high school concert band, marching band, and choir. He returned to Blanchardville in 1975 to teach general music for grades K—6 and beginning band. He retired from Blanchardville in 2001.

His many years of working with beginning band students has proven very helpful when writing music that is accessible to young players. An accomplished composer, LaPlante's catalog of musical works has been performed by high school bands in Australia, Europe, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. His first piece, Western Portrait, was published in 1976. His music is published by Daehn Publications as well as Kjos, Shawnee, Ludwig, Grand Mesa, and Bourne. In addition to band works, Bourne and G. Schirmer have published several settings of Wisconsin folksongs.

LaPlante has adjudicated for solo and ensemble contests and played bassoon in regional orchestras, including the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra and the Beloit-Janesville Symphony. He is currently a member of MENC and ASCAP, and a former member of the Madison Wind ensemble. He resides in Oregon, Wis. with his wife, Laurie, where he enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, and spending time with his family. His daughters, Amy and Elizabeth, enjoy careers in graphic design and teaching, respectively. He also has three grandchildren, Emily, Parker, and Kate.