Our History
In 1972, the Tremper High School Golden Strings was founded by Stanley F. Nosal. Its purpose was to fulfill two basic needs:
1. To provide interested and qualified students with an opportunity to study and perform a variety of lighter music, and
2. make available an entertainment-type string group that could accept invitations to perform for various civic functions as well as school performances throughout the year.
The Golden Strings were one of the first high school strolling strings group in the United States. Their inspiration came from the well-known Golden Strings that performed in the Flame Room at the Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis.
Past Directors
Ms. Nancy Nosal
2016-2024
Nancy Nosal is an established teacher and performer. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL; a Master’s Degree in Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is a certified Suzuki instructor.
Nancy has a unique perspective on strolling strings; her father, Stanley Nosal, founded the Golden Strings. She has been a member, clinician, and assistant director of the group.
Well versed in several alternative styles, she was a member of Strings Attached, featuring jazz great Ira Sullivan, as well as symphony orchestras and alternative style ensembles in Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Nancy has a thriving private studio and is a master adjudicator and clinician.
Ms. Helen Breitenbach
2007-2016
Helen Breitenbach has been the Orchestra Director at Tremper High School since 2007. A 1999 graduate of Tremper High School. Ms. Breitenbach was a member of the Golden Strings under the direction of Dr. Robert Wells.
She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While in Madison, she studied viola with Ms. Sally Chisholm.
Ms. Breitenbach completed her Master’s of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago in 2008, studying under Dr. Michael Hall.
Ms. Breitenbach previously served as the Orchestra Director at Lance Middle School for four years and as Tremper Golden Strings Director from 2007-2016.
Dr. Robert B. Wells
1997-2007
A 1974 graduate of Tremper High School and former student of Stanley Nosal, Dr. Wells took over the Tremper Golden Strings after Mr. Nosal's retirement. Dr. Wells was the Director of the Golden Strings from 1997-2007. He retired in 2014 as the Director of Fine Arts for the Kenosha Unified School District.
Mr. Stanley F. Nosal
1972-1997
Tremper Golden Strings founder, Stanley F. Nosal is a retired music department chairperson and director of orchestral activities at Tremper High School, Kenosha, Wisconsin. He is known nationally for his work as a string teacher, conductor, music educator and clinician.
Mr. Nosal is a former member of the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, past Associate Conductor and Concertmaster of the Kenosha Symphony, founder of the Strolling Strings movement, and founding director of the Tremper Golden Strings and Golden Strings USA. Mr. Nosal served as Chairman of Orchestral Activities for the Wisconsin School of Music Association: Editor of the Orchestra Division of the "Wisconsin School Musician", President of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra Association and Advisor to the Wisconsin State Music Selection Committee, the University of Illinois String and Contemporary Music Research Project.
Our Music
James “Red” McLeod
Stanley Nosal worked with James “Red” McLeod to arrange most of the pieces performed by the Tremper Golden Strings. In his very impressive career, Mr. McLeod was the Music Director, Arranger, and Contractor for the internationally famous Flame Room Golden Strings, and the Entertainment Director for the Minnesota Vikings football team. The Tremper Golden Strings has been honored to play the arrangements from the pen of such a fine musician. Mr. McLeod passed away in 2007.