Dimensions: Celebrate! Music Concert #207Now @mainewestfab

 

This year’s Dimensions Concert lit up the auditorium with joy and energy! Students from band, choir, and orchestra came together, creating a night filled with color, connection, and the pure fun of making music as a community.

The theme Celebrate came to life in every piece. Ensembles highlighted moments of triumph, gratitude, and shared experience, reminding everyone why the arts matter so much in our school. From start to finish, the concert felt like a joyful look at everything our students have worked toward this year—performing together, supporting one another, and sharing music that means something to them.

Congratulations to all of the student musicians and their directors - Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr, Ms. Stefanie Herrera and Ms. Daniella Valdez - on a fantastic performance!

Many more pictures from tonight's concert may be found HERE.

The concert program may be found HERE. 

Thank you to WMTH and Ms. Rebecca Fisher for video recording tonight's concert. Enjoy their production below:

Thank you to the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters for supporting - both financially and through volunteer efforts - a pizza dinner that was served to all student participants - on stage and behind the scenes!

National Art Honor Society Students Create Nutcracker for Rosemont Nutcracker Wonderland #207Now #art @mainewestart @lahartanddesign2 @mainewestfab

 

Maine West's National Art Honor Society chapter took part in this year's 2025 Rosemont Nutcracker Wonderland which partners with Operation North Pole, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting seriously and terminally ill children and their families during the holiday season. 

The nutcrackers will be displayed December 15-January 4th at the Donald E. Stephen’s Convention Center. 

This year each nutcracker was designed and painted by 17 different local high school art programs mentored by their teachers and professional artists. Our Maine West students, mentored by Mrs. Kljajic and Mr. Benitez, designed and painted a Neapolitan ice cream themed nutcracker for Maine West's submission. 

Dimensions: Celebrate! Public Art Reception & NAHS Induction Ceremony #207Now #art #reception @mainewestart @lahartanddesign2 @mainewestfab

Every year, our Dimensions Art Exhibit shines a light on the creativity and dedication of all of our student artists. This year’s theme, Celebrate, invites everyone to pause and recognize the moments, people, and ideas that bring joy to our school community.

Walking through the exhibit, you’ll see students lift up the everyday wins, honor meaningful relationships, and highlight the world around them in bold and personal ways. Each piece shows their growing skills and their willingness to take risks, try new approaches, and raise the bar for what’s possible in the visual arts.

Thank you to the many family members, friends and fans who came out tonight for the public reception to help celebrate the achievements of these visual art students!

The exhibit is open to all, and can be viewed in the upper commons through December 18th.

In addition to the reception tonight, we also celebrated new members of the National Art Honor Society being inducted. Congratulations to all of the new members of this leadership group!

Thank you to the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters for generously sponsoring the baked goods and drinks for tonight's reception. 

More pictures of students and their artwork can be found HERE.

West's Cris Lawpattanapong Earns All-State Music Honors! #207Now #excellence #ILMEA @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab

 
We recently learned that Maine West singer, Cristopher Lawpattanapong, has earned All-State Honors! He will be representing Maine West at the state-level event called the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC), which will be held in the Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois January 28th-31st, 2026. 

Cris will perform as a bass I singer with the All-State Honors Chorus, the state's highest performing vocal ensemble. Earning a placement in the IMEC All-State conference distinguishes Cris as one of the best music students in the state of Illinois, and is a testament to years of hard work and dedication as a  musician. The entire Maine West community is incredibly proud of Cris!