Dr. Deal and Mrs. Tordera would like to recognize some students who have had some awesome achievements in Music this year.
The first group will be students who participated in the WSMA Virtual Solo Festival. The students are:
Sophie Walton, piano
Haley Street, oboe
Caroline Crowley, clarinet
Audrey Mayer, saxophone
Gio Anello, Bass Vocal
Gio Anello, Musical Theater
Lauren Harkness, Alto Vocal
Lauren Harkness, Musical Theater
Audrey Mayer, Alto Vocal
Grace Raupp, Alto Vocal
Ella Smith, Alto Vocal
Ella Smith, Musical Theater
Skylar Staebler, Soprano Vocal
Skylar Staebler, Musical Theater
Carter Waelchli, Musical Theater
These students received a superior rating at the district level and performed at the WSMA State Level:
Sophia Walton, piano
Haley Street, oboe
Caroline Crowley, clarinet
Gio Anello, Bass Vocal
Gio Anello, Musical Theater
Lauren Harkness, Alto Vocal
Lauren Harkness, Musical Theater
Ella Smith, Musical Theater
Skylar Staebler, Musical Theater
Congratulations to all of you!
The collaboration between the Music department and the drama productions at WHS is a longstanding one. At this time, we would like to recognize the Whitewater High School students who received Jerry Awards for their work in “The Little Mermaid” which was presented last fall. The Jerry Awards are recognition of excellence in High School Musical Theater in Wisconsin. The students receiving Jerry Awards this year are:
Lauren Harkness for Outstanding Lead Performer for her portrayal of Ariel
Carter Waelchli for Outstanding Lead Performer for his portrayal of Ursula
Josie Hintz, Hailey Long, and Emma VanDaele for Outstanding Stage Management
Emma VanDaele received the Spirit Award for Whitewater High School.
Congratulations to all of you!
Music scholarships-These scholarships were previously announced at the Whitewater High School Scholarship Night on May 13th.
Steve Lamsam Scholarship
Steve Lamsam was an outstanding citizen of Whitewater who raised a wonderful family and participated in numerous school and community events. He was a member of the WUSD school board for many years and worked tirelessly to help our school district become the best it can be. A scholarship in Steve’s name was established in 2010 after he tragically lost his life in a car accident. The Steve Lamsam Memorial Music Scholarship goes to a person who has shown growth musically during the past four years. This year, the Lamsam family awards two $500 scholarship to: Jillian Harkness and Lauren Harkness
Roxa Pritchett Scholarship
Mrs. Roxa Pritchett was a very strong promoter of the music program at Whitewater High School. A scholarship has been established in her honor for students who plan to major in music at a four-year college or university. Selection is made by the Music Department. This year, we are pleased to award a $750 Roxa Pritchett Music Scholarship to: Sophie Mayer and Lauren Harkness
Michael Hoffman Scholarship
The Michael Hoffman Music Award is a $500 scholarship given to a student who has been an outstanding music student at Whitewater High School. This year, the department of music is proud to present this award to: Henry Bresser
Mac Davison Scholarship
Mac Davison taught music in the Whitewater Unified School District for 33 years. One $250 scholarship will be awarded to a deserving music student who has demonstrated scholarship and was a good representative of the community. The Whitewater High School Music Department is proud to present the Malcolm C. Davison Music Scholarship to: Caroline Crowley
Diane Flood Scholarship
Diane Flood was a devoted member of the Whitewater Arts Alliance Board. Upon her unexpected death, her family and friends partnered with the WAA to create a fund to support the arts in the Whitewater Public Schools as a way to honor her. This includes an annual $250 scholarship for a Whitewater High School senior who will major in the visual or performing arts in college. The award goes to: Lauren Harkness and Henry Bresser
David F. Veith Scholarship
A $2,500 scholarship has been established in memory of David F. Veith who was a teacher at Fort Atkinson High School and a resident of Whitewater for 50 years. This award will be presented to a senior who has been involved in the performing arts in high school and will be attending a two or four year college to major in music, theater or a related field. This year, we are very proud to present this award to: Lauren Harkness
Each year, the Wisconsin School Music Association auditions freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to perform in the WSMA State Honors Ensembles. Last year, two students auditioned and performed with the 2019 Honors Band:
Colin Dugan and Sophie Mayer
This year two students from Whitewater High School who auditioned were accepted. Although the exact experience is yet unknown, two students from Whitewater High School were accepted to perform. Colin Dugan will be a part of Honors Orchestra and Gio Anello will sing with the Honors Mixed Choir
All Whitewater Music Students can work towards earning a letter, a bar, and/or a pin. Pins are earned by academic achievement in Music classes. Letters are earned by academic achievement in Music classes and involvement in Music activities outside of class requirements. Don, can you show us what the Music letter looks like.
The following students have earned one or more of these awards.
Earning a Band pin: Sophie Walton
Earning a Bar for their Letter: Grace Raupp and Caroline Crowley
Earning a letter in Music: Leiha Kuhnke and Lydia Bols
Earning a letter and a Choir pin: Gio Anello
Earning a letter and a Band Pin: Henry Bresser and Olive Coburn
Earning a bar for their letter and a Choir pin: Lauren Harkness
The John Philip Sousa Award: Colin Chenoweth
The National School Choral Award will be presented this year to a senior who has been a member of Bel Canto Choir, Cadenza Singers, and Music Masters Ensemble This student is dedicated to whatever groups with whom she sings. She has served as a leader in Bel Canto Choir and Cadenza Singers when I am absent. She has participated in Solo/Ensemble Festival. She was instrumental in the creation of a new tradition, Music Masters Showcase. As I have said before, she solves problems I don’t even know I have in ways I don’t understand. Congratulations to Grace Raupp as the recipient of the National School Choral Award.
Semper Fi Award Semper Fi Award: Jack Mayer
The Wilbur K. Lyle Trophy is an senior award for excellence in Music. It was first presented by the class of 1937 in honor of Wilbur Lyle, an outstanding young man who was not only an excellent Music student, but was highly involved and equally successful in other school activities. He was well-liked and admired for his sterling character.
The senior who will receive this award has been a leader during their time in the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. She has received top ratings at Solo and Ensemble Festival in her instrumental events. She has excellent character and is well-liked and respected by all who know her. This year’s Lyle award recipient has been involved Future Business Leaders of America, Girls Swimming, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society. Congratulations to Caroline Crowley as the recipient of this award.
Music Senior Plans and Favorite Memory :
Odessa Sonn
Odessa will be attending Marquette University and majoring in Public Relations with a minor in writing. Her favorite memory in the choir was practicing my solo/ensemble piece with Gracia Boley in the auditorium.
Jack Mayer
Jack plans to attend University of Dubuque and major in Flight ops. His favorite band memory was playing in the basketball pep bands
Danny Gleesing
Danny plans to go to GSL in the fall. He loved singing in Choir and being around friends.
Emma VanDaele
Emma will be attending Southeast Missouri State University to study Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Her favorite band memory was hanging out with friends before and after parades.
Christopher Porcaro
After high school, Chris eventually wants to go to Whitewater University to become an acting instructor. His favorite choir memory was during one of his years of choir the power went out and instead of singing in the auditorium we sang in the choir room. It was insanely hot but it’s still a memory he will never forget.
Sophie Mayer
Next year Sophie will be attending UW Madison and double majoring in music and communication arts. Her favorite memory is playing in the pit band for the Little Mermaid and also getting to perform the chef’s song as an actor in the same show.
Dominic Smelcer
Dominic plans to attend Gateway to get my welding certificate. His favorite choir memory is the Real Men Sing! event the guys got to attend when he was a freshman.
Hope Joseph
In the fall, Hope is going to Gateway College to become a Nursing assistant. Her favorite memory is from handbell choir, when they played at the UW-Whitewater Winter Gala concert.
Elisabeth Hansen
Her favorite memory is going to the Rock Valley Honors Choir.
Caroline Crowley
Caroline will be attending UW-Madison for a degree in Communication Arts. Her favorite band memory is recording for Essentially Ellington her sophomore year.
Grace Raupp
In the fall, Grace plans to attend Gateway for cosmetology. The most memorable thing from being in choir was running over her foot sophomore year with a grand piano.
Colin Chenoweth
Colin plans on going to Case Western Reserve University. His favorite band memory was the New Orleans trip.
Gracia Boley
Gracia plans to attend UW Oshkosh and major in psychology. Her favorite memory is practicing for solo/ ensemble freshman year
Braden Dean
Braden plans to enlist in the Marine Corps after high school. His favorite band memory is when Will Hofmann and I sat in the band room after the last pep band and broke my last drumstick.
Stephanie Ordaz
After highschool, Stephanie is going to go to MATC for cosmetology, then after 2 years go to Columbia College Chicago for music production. Her favorite Choir memory was when the Tenors and Basses were practicing the song Ball Game, and Camden did not realize Mrs. Tordera told them to stop singing and he said “crackerjack” in such a soft scared voice.
Henry Bresser
Henry plans to go to Ball State to study Music Media Production. His favorite choir memory is when Gio got his arm stuck in the door handle.
Jillian Harkness
Jillian Harkness is going to the Milwaukee School of Engineering for nursing. Her favorite band memory is New Orleans trip sophomore year.
Lauren Harkness
Lauren plans to go to UW-Milwaukee for a BFA in Versatile Voice. Her favorite choir memory is during the spring concert freshmen year when the power went out and we had the concert in the choir room.
WHS Choir House Cup Winners-The House of Mozart—House Leaders: Lauren Harkness and Cora Linos
