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: