Clarinet Lessons in Wisconsin
What clarinet lessons cost across Wisconsin, and how to find the right teacher.
Clarinet lesson prices across Wisconsin
A one-hour clarinet lesson in Wisconsin typically costs $58 to $84, and a half hour $32 to $46. Most towns sit close to that range. The River Falls area runs highest, up to $96 an hour.
Every town has two guides: a clarinet lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.
| Town | 30 minutes | One hour | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee area | |||
| Milwaukee | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Waukesha | $32–$48 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| West Allis | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Wauwatosa | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Brookfield | $32–$47 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| New Berlin | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Menomonee Falls | $32–$46 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| Greenfield | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Oak Creek | $32–$46 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| Franklin | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| West Bend | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Muskego | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Mequon | $32–$46 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Germantown | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| South Milwaukee | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Oconomowoc | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Cudahy | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Hartford | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Whitefish Bay | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Greendale | $32–$48 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Glendale | $32–$47 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Shorewood | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Port Washington | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Cedarburg | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Brown Deer | $32–$48 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Grafton | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Sussex | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Richfield | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Lisbon | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Madison area | |||
| Madison | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Sun Prairie | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Fitchburg | $32–$47 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| Middleton | $32–$47 | $59–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Waunakee | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Verona | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Stoughton | $32–$48 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Oregon | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| DeForest | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Monroe | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Green Bay area | |||
| Green Bay | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| De Pere | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Howard | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Ashwaubenon | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Bellevue | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Allouez | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Suamico | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Hobart | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Appleton area | |||
| Appleton | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Kaukauna | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Harrison | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Greenville | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Little Chute | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Racine area | |||
| Racine | $32–$48 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Mount Pleasant | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Caledonia | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Burlington | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Kenosha area | |||
| Kenosha | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Pleasant Prairie | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Salem Lakes | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Oshkosh area | |||
| Oshkosh | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Neenah | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Fox Crossing | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Menasha | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| La Crosse area | |||
| La Crosse | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Onalaska | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Holmen | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Eau Claire area | |||
| Eau Claire | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Chippewa Falls | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Janesville area | |||
| Janesville | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Beloit | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Wausau area | |||
| Wausau | $32–$46 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| Weston | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Manitowoc area | |||
| Manitowoc | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Two Rivers | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| River Falls area | |||
| River Falls | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Hudson | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| New Richmond | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Stevens Point area | |||
| Stevens Point | $32–$46 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Plover | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Wisconsin Rapids area | |||
| Wisconsin Rapids | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Marshfield | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Watertown area | |||
| Watertown | $32–$46 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Fort Atkinson | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Beaver Dam area | |||
| Beaver Dam | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Waupun | $31–$44 | $57–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Other Wisconsin towns | |||
| Baraboo | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Fond du Lac | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Marinette | $32–$47 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Menomonie | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Platteville | $32–$48 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Sheboygan | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Superior | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Whitewater | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
No Wisconsin town by that name yet. Lessons are live online, so you can still start from anywhere in Wisconsin.
Meet a Clarinet Teacher in Wisconsin Before You Continue Weekly
The free first lesson is a low-pressure way to meet the teacher, experience live online clarinet instruction, and decide whether weekly lessons feel right for you or your child in Wisconsin.
- One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
- Live weekly lessons from home with no commute
- Build tone, reading, reed confidence, and school-band skills
- Choose 30, 45, or 60 minutes after the free lesson
Find Your Next Clarinet Teacher in Wisconsin
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How clarinet learning works in Wisconsin
How does clarinet fit school music in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin schools provide music instruction from kindergarten through grade 6, then make general, vocal, and instrumental music available in grades 7–12; the curriculum includes playing and reading music, so clarinet can become part of a broader school music education. Band entry varies by district: students can start in fifth grade in Sheboygan and West Allis-West Milwaukee, while Franklin Middle School in Green Bay and DeLong Middle School in Eau Claire begin in sixth. At LakeView K-8 in Kenosha, band starts in fifth grade, giving families a useful early option.
When school music starts in Wisconsin districts
Who runs what for Wisconsin clarinetists?
Wisconsin's main student routes are run by the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) and the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association (WMTA). WSMA connects school music programs to grades 6–12 Solo & Ensemble festivals and school-based honors groups; WMTA offers district and state auditions for grades 1–12, including private-studio students. The Wisconsin Music Educators Association supports music educators, while its Band Council supports wind and percussion students. That distinction matters: clarinetists usually look to WSMA for school honors and to WMTA for a route that can include private students.
Who runs what in Wisconsin
Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA)
- Runs
- Runs district and state Solo & Ensemble festivals and school-based honors opportunities.
- For
- School music students in grades 6–12.
Wisconsin Music Teachers Association (WMTA)
- Runs
- Sponsors district and state auditions for instrumental and vocal students.
- For
- Students in grades 1–12, including private-studio students.
Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA)
- Runs
- Supports music education through advocacy, educator development, and partner opportunities.
- For
- Wisconsin music educators and their students.
Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) Band Council
- Runs
- Supports wind and percussion students and Wisconsin band educators.
- For
- Band students of all ages and abilities.
Wisconsin Concert Band Association (WCBA)
- Runs
- Offers All-State High School and All-State Junior Band opportunities.
- For
- High school and junior high band students.
Auditions and events in Wisconsin
How does a clarinetist reach Wisconsin's top student honors?
For a school-based route, clarinetists in grades 6–12 begin with WSMA District Solo & Ensemble through their school music program. A Class A solo earning a starred first rating advances to the State Solo & Ensemble Festival, held in late April or early May. High school students in grades 9–11 at WSMA-member schools who regularly participate in a school ensemble can also audition for High School State Honors; registration usually opens in early November and auditions take place in February. Selected students attend camp in June and perform in Madison in October. Middle Level State Honors auditions take place in early April, with registration opening in December and closing in early February.
The clarinet route in Wisconsin, step by step
- District Solo & EnsembleGrades 6–12 enter through a WSMA-member school; district festivals run from November and January through April.
- Middle Level State HonorsRegistration opens in December and closes in early February; auditions take place in early April.
- High School State HonorsEligible grades 9–11 register in November and December, audition in February, and attend camp in June; selected students perform in Madison in October.
The Wisconsin clarinet year
WSMA District Solo & Ensemble FestivalWisconsin School Music AssociationStart the piece May to Aug
WSMA Middle Level State HonorsWisconsin School Music AssociationStart the piece Oct to Jan
WSMA State Solo & Ensemble FestivalWisconsin School Music AssociationStart the piece Oct to Jan
Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent
What do auditions ask you to prepare?
For 2027 WSMA High School State Honors, clarinetists prepare a solo chosen from the WSMA Festival Music List, required scales, and sight-reading. The school music teacher helps choose a suitable festival selection for district Solo & Ensemble, and a Class A starred first rating is the qualifying result for state. WMTA woodwind auditions add a different format: memorization is optional on District 2 and 3 tracks, but State Track requires memorized pieces; at least one selection needs accompaniment, and recorded accompaniment is not accepted. In weekly lessons, allow three to six months to prepare an event piece carefully, especially when scales, reading, and accompaniment are involved.
What else is there to enter?
Students who want an additional performance goal can enter WMTA district auditions, held from February through April, with district and state tracks for instrumental students in grades 1–12. Its State Track asks older students for memorized repertoire, while district tracks are a more accessible starting point. For school clarinetists, WSMA Solo & Ensemble remains the clearest individual festival route; a student who prefers playing without an audition focus can still build skill through regular school band and ensemble work.
Clarinet events in Wisconsin, 2026–27
WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival
Wisconsin School Music Association
- When
- April 24 and May 1, 2027
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Students who receive a starred first rating at the Class A level at a district festival
WSMA High School State Honors Music Project
Wisconsin School Music Association
- When
- Auditions February 6 and 13, 2027; camp and concerts June–October 2027
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- High school students; audition for band, orchestra, choir, or jazz ensemble
WSMA Middle Level State Honors
Wisconsin School Music Association
- When
- April 3, 9, and 10, 2027
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Middle-level students; exact grade eligibility is set in the audition requirements
WMTA State VIE Competition
Wisconsin Music Teachers Association
- When
- Usually in spring
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Vocal, instrumental, and ensemble student competitors; exact grade eligibility varies
WSMA District Solo & Ensemble Festival
Wisconsin School Music Association
- When
- November 2026 and January–April 2027; specific dates vary by district
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Grades 6–12; registration is through WSMA member schools
WMTA District Competitions
Wisconsin Music Teachers Association
- When
- Usually during the school year
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Student competitors; grade eligibility varies by event
Homeschool and private school students
Homeschool students can take part in Wisconsin district extracurricular music on the same basis as district pupils, and districts may charge their usual participation fees. WSMA also allows eligible homeschool students in grades 6–12 to use family membership to enter District Solo & Ensemble; a Class A starred first rating can lead to the state festival. The High School State Honors Project has a narrower route because it requires attendance at a WSMA-member school and regular participation in a school ensemble.
Starting at any age
Starting a child on clarinet
Many children begin clarinet in upper elementary or middle school, when they can manage the instrument's keys, mouthpiece, and steady breath; Wisconsin districts often open band in fifth or sixth grade. Starting private lessons beforehand helps your child learn to assemble the clarinet, make a clear sound, and read the first notes before band rehearsals begin. Lessons also give a beginner individual attention alongside school, so early questions about embouchure and hand position do not get lost in a group.
A teen in Wisconsin
A teen can begin clarinet in school band or alongside it, then use Wisconsin's school-year audition cycle as a goal. WSMA High School State Honors auditions are for grades 9–11, with registration opening in November and auditions in February; the middle-level auditions come in April. A one-on-one lesson can fit around ensemble rehearsals and help a new or returning player build a manageable weekly routine, without treating honors auditions as the only reason to play.
Starting or coming back as an adult
Adults in Wisconsin have welcoming places to make music with other clarinetists. New Horizons Music Fox Valley in Appleton offers adults of any experience a community band or orchestra without an audition, while the Oshkosh Area Community Band is open to adults who have finished high school and has no joining fee or audition. The Cedarburg Civic Band rehearses in summer, and the New Horizons Band of Southeast Wisconsin meets in Waukesha. It is not too late to start or return; a teacher can meet you at your current level and shape the next step around your goals.
Finding the right teacher
What should a good clarinet teacher do?
A good clarinet teacher listens closely to tone, breath, and articulation, then gives you or your child a clear next step rather than simply adding harder music. That matters in Wisconsin, where a student may move from school band into WSMA festivals or honors auditions, while another may be learning for personal enjoyment. Training matters, but fit matters too: an adult returning to clarinet and a younger beginner need different pacing and encouragement. Lesson With You lets you choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend one; every teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet.
How do live online clarinet lessons work?
A live Zoom lesson lets your clarinet teacher hear your tone, tonguing, and rhythm in real time and see your hand position, posture, and how you assemble the instrument. Set your device so the teacher can see your face, hands, and clarinet, with a quiet place to play and your music nearby. You meet one-on-one each week with the same teacher, so feedback builds from one session to the next without a commute. A student in Milwaukee or Verona has the same choice of teacher and the same lesson. The first 30-minute lesson is free, with no payment method needed, so you can meet the teacher and decide if weekly lessons feel right.
What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You
Clarinet in Wisconsin
Where to hear clarinet
Wisconsin audiences can hear a range of live music beyond the local concerts in Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Racine, Kenosha, La Crosse, and Eau Claire. In Milwaukee, Festival City Symphony’s 2026–2027 Saturday Classics concerts are free, with a suggested $5 donation for children and students. Madison Opera presents three operas each year and offers eligible students rush tickets for under $21; the Wisconsin Union Theater also presents classical and jazz performances during its 2026–2027 season.
Where to play with others
Clarinetists have youth and adult ensemble options beyond school band. In Stevens Point, the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra serves middle and high school students from ten central Wisconsin counties; clarinetists in grades 9–12 can audition. Adults can join the Oshkosh Area Community Band without an audition or fee, while the Neenah Community Band welcomes musicians age 15 and older at rehearsals without an audition. In Cedarburg, high school students and adults can join the Civic Band, including players who want to attend rehearsals and concerts without marching.
Clarinet around Wisconsin, area by area
Madison area
Madison offers students live performances by Madison College’s Municipal Band, Community Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Big Band. For a young clarinetist, hearing woodwinds in different ensemble settings can make school band repertoire easier to place and inspire new listening goals. Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras accepts woodwind players, including clarinetists, by audition; its full orchestras include woodwinds.
- School year
- Sep 1 to Jun 10, 38 lesson weeks (Madison Metropolitan School District)
Green Bay area
In Green Bay, Green Bay Youth Orchestras offers several youth ensemble options for students interested in playing with others. Families can also hear the Civic Symphony of Green Bay’s Music for Young Listeners concert on February 26, 2027; scholarships are available to reduce or cover student admission. UW–Green Bay’s 6:30 Concert Series at the Weidner Center provides another local concert option.
- School year
- Aug 31 to Jun 3, 38 lesson weeks (Green Bay Area Public School District)
Appleton area
Appleton has a range of live music for a clarinet student to explore. Fox Valley Symphony offers student rush tickets on the day of a concert, while Mile of Music brings free original live music to all-ages official venues in downtown Appleton. These experiences offer a contrast between orchestral performance and the varied sounds of a multi-artist music festival.
- School year
- Sep 1 to Jun 4, 38 lesson weeks (Appleton Area School District)
- Town guides
- Appleton, Kaukauna, Harrison, Greenville, Little Chute
Racine area
Racine’s summer Music & More concerts at First Presbyterian Church are free and take place Thursdays at noon. The Racine Concert Band also has a selective substitute route for experienced musicians: players audition for its substitute list, and vacancies are filled by invitation to those who have performed as substitutes. That gives a clarinetist a demanding community-band goal.
- School year
- Sep 1 to Jun 10, 39 lesson weeks (Racine Unified School District)
- Town guides
- Racine, Mount Pleasant, Caledonia, Burlington
Kenosha area
Kenosha offers free concerts and recitals by Carthage College faculty and students around Kenosha County. UW–Parkside also presents free Friday noon concerts during fall and spring semesters, with no ticket required. Hearing these performances in different settings helps a clarinet student recognize how wind instruments contribute to larger ensembles.
- School year
- Sep 1 to Jun 3, 37 lesson weeks (Kenosha Unified School District)
- Town guides
- Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie, Salem Lakes
La Crosse area
La Crosse offers two community-band choices for clarinetists. Da Capo Concert Band requests a $20 contribution at the beginning of each half of its season, while La Crosse Concert Band performs during the summer. Their community setting gives players a chance to make music with local musicians beyond school band.
- School year
- Aug 20 to May 28, 39 lesson weeks (School District of La Crosse)
Eau Claire area
In Eau Claire, Tuesday Night Blues offers free live music every Tuesday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with all ages welcome. Sounds Like Summer presents local bands at Phoenix Park on Thursdays from June through August, from 6 to 8 p.m. These performances let clarinet students hear a range of live music outside a traditional concert band setting.
- School year
- Sep 1 to Jun 3, 38 lesson weeks (Eau Claire Area School District)
- Town guides
- Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls
Start Clarinet Lessons With a Free Trial
- One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
- Live weekly lessons from home with no commute
- Build tone, reading, reed confidence, and school-band skills
- Choose 30, 45, or 60 minutes after the free lesson
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a teacher who can explain how they build tone, breath support, and reading skills for your age and goals. Lesson With You offers one-on-one weekly Zoom lessons with a teacher who holds at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet, and you can choose a teacher or ask us for a recommendation.
Yes, because a teacher can hear your sound and rhythm in real time and see your hands, posture, and instrument setup over Zoom. Weekly one-on-one lessons also give you consistent feedback without a commute, and you can try a free 30-minute first lesson before deciding.
Many Wisconsin schools offer band beginning in fifth or sixth grade, though the starting grade depends on the district. For example, LakeView K-8 in Kenosha starts band in fifth grade, while Franklin Middle School in Green Bay offers it in sixth.
A school clarinetist can enter WSMA District Solo & Ensemble through the school music program, and a Class A starred first rating advances to the state festival. Eligible high school students in grades 9–11 can also audition for WSMA High School State Honors if they attend a member school and regularly participate in a school ensemble.
Yes, eligible homeschool students in grades 6–12 can join WSMA family membership and enter District Solo & Ensemble, then advance to state with a Class A starred first rating. Wisconsin homeschool students may also participate in district extracurricular music on the same basis as district pupils, with usual participation fees possible.
Many children are ready in upper elementary school, when they can manage the keys, mouthpiece, and steady breath needed for clarinet. Starting around the time band begins in fifth or sixth grade works well, though private lessons can prepare a child earlier.
No, adults can start or return to clarinet at any age, and several Wisconsin community ensembles welcome adult players. New Horizons Music Fox Valley in Appleton, for example, takes adults of any experience without an audition.
Clarinet lessons in Wisconsin typically cost about $65 an hour, or $32 to $46 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.
