History
PRESENT
2018 Mrs. Stockton joined the WLW staff
1990-2018
1990 Mr. Cleveland joined the WLW staff
1990: 88 students enrolled in program
2001: 340 Students enrolled in program
1990—2013: Over 5,900 students have been a part of the WLW Choirs
96 % of WLW choir students have pursued college
Over 52 students have entered the field of performing arts and can be seen and heard all over the world
Currently there are 18 students who are now either choir teachers or training to be a choir director.
Currently there are students performing on Broadway and on Cruise Ships and Theme Parks around the world.
Hundreds of students have entered other fields of life, with a real love & support for singing and music!
Prior to 1990
Our hats are off to some of the very fine choral conductors who spent time developing their choral art at WLW (Sorry, early historical records are vague)
- Andy Zerban – He opened the first year of choirs at WLW and spent over 10 years developing singers and musician
- Gary Weidenaar – Sometimes referred to as “The Golden Years” during the 70’s and 80’s. Western’s choral tradition grew in numbers and in quality.
- Timothy Kinne
- Tim Smith
DISTRICT & STATE CHOIR FESTIVALS
1990–2014: Choirs received Superior and Excellent Awards over 318 times
MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVALS
The Top of the Top festival for select ensembles and soloists!!
- 1998: Chamber Singers & soloist- Aaron Kandel
- 1999: Chamber Singers & soloist- Sarah Darby, Crystal Webster
- 2000: Serenade – Director Lisa Klammer
- 2001: Chamber Singers
- 2002: Troubadours
- 2003: Chamber Singers
- 2004: Chamber Singers
- 2005: Chamber Singers & soloist-Devin Schonsheck
- 2006: Octavious
- 2007: Chamber Singers Red & Chamber Singers Black
- 2008: Octavious
- 2009: Chamber Singers Red
- 2010: Octavious
- 2013: Serenade
MSVMA STATE HONORS CHOIR
Selected by audition from several thousand students from Michigan!
- 1999: Sarah Darby, Anne Polmanter, Ruth Perry, Aaron Kandel
- 2000: Sarah Darby, Amy Schonsheck, Crystal Webster
- 2005: Devin Schonsheck
- 2007: Emily Cleveland, Lauren Mehringer, Heather Quillen, Tyler Schonsheck
- 2008: Emily Cleveland, Harry Greenleaf, Lauren Mehringer, Heather Quillen, Rachel Ross, Aaron Tacy
- 2009: Kelly Collins, Harry Greenleaf, Blake Gronlund, Josh Gronlund, Ian Saunders, Megan Sharpe, Ricky Stevenson, Nick Waldecker, Tanessa Wright
- 2010: Josh Gronlund, Blake Gronlund, Megan Sharpe, Jay Jay Ross, Aaron Tacy, Ian Saunders, Cody Goodwin, Christine Johnson
- 2011: Harry Bhogal, Collin Kuss, Jack Phillipson, Emily Pianko
- 2012: Harry Bhogal, Jack Phillipson, Emily Pianko, Rachel Zach
MSVMA ALL STATE HONORS CHOIR
Selected by audition from the State Honors Choir students!
- 1999: Sarah Darby, Anne Polmanter, Ruth Perry
- 2000: Sarah Darby, Amy Schonsheck, Crystal Webster
- 2005: Devin Schonsheck
- 2007: Emily Cleveland, Lauren Mehringer, Heather Quillen, Tyler Schonsheck
- 2008: Emily Cleveland, Harry Greenleaf, Josh Gronlund, Blake Gronlund, Heather Quillen
- 2009: Kelly Collins, Blake Gronlund, Josh Gronlund, Megan Sharpe, Ricky Stevenson
- 2010: Cody Goodwin, Ian Saunders, Christine Johnson, Megan Sharpe
- 2011: Jack Phillipson
- 2012: Harry Bhogal, Jack Phillipson, Emily Pianko, Rachel Zach
WLW MUSICAL THEATER PRODUCTIONS
1993 “South Pacific”
1994 “Pippin”
1995 “Guys & Dolls”
1996 “Fiddler On The Roof”
1997 “Oliver”
1998 “Annie”
1999 “Children of Eden”
2000 “West Side Story”
2001 “Guys & Dolls”
2002 “Les Miserables” Midwest High School Premiere
2003 “The Sound of Music”
2004 “A Christmas Carol-The Musical World Premiere
2005 “Into The Woods” The Stratford Festival Production
2006 “Annie!” presented at WL Northern HS due to our theater renovation!
2007 “The King and I”
2008 “A Christmas Carol – The Musical The Revival
2009 “Les Miserables” The Revival
2010: “Hairspray”
2011: “The PHANTOM of the OPERA”
2012: “A Christmas Carol – The Musical 3.0 Production
2013: “SHREK” -The Broadway Musical
2014:
2015:
2016:
2017:
2018: "Fiddler on the Roof"
CHOIR TOURS
1991: Chicago
1992: Toronto
1993: New York City
1994: Toronto
1995: New York City – Carnegie Hall
1996: Germany & Austria
1996: Chicago
1997: New York City
1998: England, Wales & Scotland
1999: New York City – Carnegie Hall
2000: Italy, Austria & Germany
2001: New York City
2003: New York City
2004: Austria, Germany & Italy – Verona International Choral Competition
2005: New York City
2006: Spain & Chicago
2007: New York City
2008: Italy
2009: New York City
2010: Austria & The Czech Republic
2011: New York City
2012: England & Scotland
2013: New York City
2014: Italy – St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in Rome
2015:
2016:
2017:
2018:
2019: