Awards
Students involved in the choral program at Waterford Union High School have the opportunity to earn multiple awards in their time in the program.
Varsity Letter for Music
To receive a Waterford High School varsity letter, students must complete at least one year of satisfactory choir membership before they may receive a letter, be a "member in good standing" during their choir tenure, and must have participated in all required performances, concerts, and rehearsals.
Choir members must accumulate a total of 150 points to earn a Varsity Letter. Points are NOT accumulative - they reset to zero immediately following the Spring Concert.
The Varsity Letter Point Sheet is a Microsoft Excel file. Download it and fill it out. When you print it, there is a place for your signature. If you do not have Excel, ask Mr. Machan for a hard copy.
Chevron for Varsity Letter
In addition to a Varsity Letter, if a student letters in both choral and instrumental music, they will earn a chevron patch. Chevrons can be earned in multiple years.
Fred Waring Director's Award for Chorus
Given by the Choral Director, the Fred Waring Director's Award for Chorus is awarded to a student (any grade) who goes above and beyond to provide service to the department. These students exemplify the "unsung hero," and those who do what it needed to help make the program successful without always being recognized. Their contributions are always appreciated and needed.
The 2021-22 Fred Waring Director's Award winners are: Lilly Mehring, Gabe Sell, and Chloe Klingsten
Past Director's Award winners:
2023: Kaylee Collins Perez, Ava Lennartz, Breanna Mahon
2022: Lilly Mehring, Gabe Sell, Chloe Klingsten
2020: Noah Tibbetts, Sydney Thornton
2019: Kat Fitzgerald, Cody Webster
2018: Brianna Hobach
2017: Karalee Beall, Ivy Phetteplace
2016: Kirsten Ranke, Kayla van Boxtel
2015: Samantha Lee, Alexis Wells
2014: Jacob Allen, Reid Jensen
2013: Jacob Allen, Noelle Korzeniewski
2012: Kate Beu, Frank McGinty, Jessica Tamblyn
2011: Nathan Brooks, Josh Grosschadl, Nathan Hana
2010: Matt Moll
2009: Dustin Davis
2008: Andrew Carter, Catherine Heyer
2007: Julianne Frey, Marguerite Frey
2006: Sandy Beneke
2005: Heather Lindell
2004: Melissa Jensen
2003: Cassie Pfitzenmeier
National School Choral Award
Perhaps the most prestigious award for the WUHS choral program, the National School Choral Award is chosen by the students of the choral program. This award is given to the senior who best exemplifies the best qualities of the Choral Department: Dedication, Determination, Work Ethic, Helpfulness, and Leadership.
The 2019-2020 National School Choral Award winner is Julian Bragg
Past National School Choral Award winners:
2002-Present (Derek Machan, director)
2023: Chloe Klingsten and Gabriel Sell
2022: Lillian Mehring
2021: Jacob Klingsten
2020: Julian Bragg
2019: Kathleen Fitzgerald
2018: Katiann Nelson
2017: Kristy Fitzgerald
2016: Matthew Davis
2015: Jacob Allen
2014: Jessica Wagner
2013: Hannah Lindell
2012: Jenny Langfeldt
2011: Carla Turner
2010: Jordan Spaciel
2009: Jacob Voss
2008: Olivia Kirchner
2007: Alex Buell
2006: Iris Blake
2005: Terra Goff
2004: Margaret Huettl
2003: Adam Rubach
2002: Erin Roberson
1991-2001 (Kathy Tuinstra, director)
2001: Erica Downey
2000: Royal Rosario
1999: Theresa Barton
1998: Renee Wiedmeyer
1997: Todd Heck
1996: Amy Hendler
1995: Daphne Eder, Ken Weber
1994: Linnea Reichstadter
1993: Kristel Watkins
1992: Christa Roth, Jason Wood
1981-1990 (Kim Westergaard, director)
1990: Michelle Kuhn
1989: Kirstin Johnson, Jacob Fitch
1988: Cindy Hassey
1987: Lisa Hart
1987: Jenny Depatie
1985: Debbie Jo Naus, Randy Haldeman
1984: Jenny Fitch
1983: David Sailer
1982: Sue Fregien
1981: Sheryl Spengler
1972-1980
(R. Scott Pierce, director 1972-1974, 1977-1980)
(David Boigenzaehn, director 1975-1976)
1980: Linda Synowicz
1979: Maureen McGowan
1978: Rene Doorn
1977: Mike Krautkramer
1976: Cary Moyer
1975: Lynn McGowan
1974: Donna Bucholtz
1973: Michaelene Pheifer
1972: Leslie Lazarus
1968-1971
(Douglas Hargrave, director 1968-70)
(Patricia Bery, director 1971)
1971: Andrea Garraghan, John Howe
1970: Gail Newton, Dave Reesman
1969: Sandy Sloan, Jerry Weinkauf
1968: David Horner, Chris Ritke
Outstanding Jazz Vocalist
Chosen by the members of Vocal Jazz, the Outstanding Jazz Vocalist Award is awarded to a senior who best exemplifies the spirit of Vocal Jazz: Improvisation, Leadership, and Dedication to the Jazz Art.
The 2019-2020 Outstanding Jazz Vocalist Award winnes are: Marco Muñoz and Saryna Guajardo
Past Outstanding Jazz Vocalist winners:
2023: Annabelle Dockstader
2022: Noelle Voegeli
2021: Jonathon Frenz
2020: Marco Muñoz, Saryna Guajardo
2019: Alex Mazurek
2018: Courtney Torretta
2017: Cassidey Wolfert
2016: DJ Grundy
2015: Jenna Lindell
2014: Nathan Nicholls
2013: Hannah Lindell
2012: Frank McGinty
2011: Carla Turner
2010: Matt Moll
2009: Jacob Voss
2008: Chelsea Williams
2007: Aly Wright
2006: Katie Immel
2005: Jim Jung
2004: Mick Laughran
2003: Adam Rubach
2002: Jessica Wenzel
2001: Angela Polakowski
2000: Justin Zimmer
1999: Matt Remus
1998: Seth Hutchison
1997: Kerry Hart
1996: Breann Weber
1995: Jennifer Rogers
1994: Terry Lazewski
1993: Allen Wong
Arion Award
Awarded by both the band and choral directors, The Arion Award was established in 1948 to give national recognition to senior class members chosen by their schools who have demonstrated soloistic quality in both the instrumental and vocal areas. Students who receive the Arion Award maintain both academic and community standing. Because of its prestige, the Arion Award has been a major factor in obtaining scholarship offers.
This award is not given out every year, and can be given to multiple people.
Frederic Chopin Piano Award
The Frederic Chopin Award was started in 1964 to honor outstanding pianists in the school music program. It recognizes exceptional dedication and superior musicianship. It can be given to a student (any grade) who provides their piano skills as an accompanist.
This award is not given out every year, and can be given to multiple people.
Past Chopin Piano Award winners:
2018: Katiann Nelson
2017: Katiann Nelson
2016: Katiann Nelson
2008: Cal Gresl
1997: Kerry Hart
1994: Karrie Alexander, Carolyn Buser
1986: Michelle Byrd
1985: Michelle Byrd
1984: Amy Davidson
1983: Beth Myers
1982: Donna Gandt, Beth Hammer
1981: Anne Jacobson, Angie Hoefs
1980: Tracy Sullivan
1975: Dottie Funk
1974: Karen Hanson
1973: Karen Hanson, Lynn McGowan
1972: Kathy Stelzner, Karen Jergensen
1971: Kathy Stelzner
1970: Pam Jergensen, Debi Dolezal
1969: Karen Jensen
1968: Karen Jensen
Student of the Year
Student of the Year is a departmental award given to one student in each grade.
The 2022-23 Students of the Year are: Hannah Bruce (9), Mitchell Bartaczewicz (10), Vi (11), and Gabe Gotcher (12)