Gary Urness

Gary Urness recently retired as a band director from the Winona Public School District. He directed bands, including jazz combos and big bands at the middle and high school level. Since retiring, he still keeps busy in the music scene by giving lessons at Leithold Music Studio, and working with La Crosse, Wisconsin Schools, and Winona State University. Piano, trumpet, and flugelhorn are his main instruments. Playing in various bands in the Midwest and Phoenix, Arizona also kept him busy in the past and also now in the present. Gary received bachelors and masters degrees in Music Education from WSU, and was fortunate to have many wonderful instructors help him. He currently lives in La Crescent, Minnesota with his wife, Audrey.