2023 Des Plaines Orchestra Festival #207Now #musiceducation @mworchestras @D62Schools @mainewestfab

The annual Des Plaines Orchestra Festival, a collaborative event between Maine West and Community Consolidated School District 62 middle schools - Chippewa, Algonquin and Iroquois - was a wonderful success! 

Each group performed one piece independently, and then the concert ended with a massive performance of the combined groups playing Gaelic Castle by Soon Hee Newbold. You can watch a video of the finale below.

A digital concert program can be viewed HERE.

Thank you to the District 62 students and their directors for spending the day at Maine West and for all of your wonderful energy throughout the day of rehearsals, sectionals and clinics. Thanks to the directors for all of the planning and logistical work to make today a success.

We look forward to welcoming all of the future Warrior String players and their families to Maine West!

More pictures from tonight's concert can be found HERE.

Warriors Strings and Choraliers Give Back to the Community #207Now #ArtsEnrich @mworchestras @mainewestchoir @D62schools @desplaineschamber @mainewestfab

Today, the Maine West Warrior Strings and Choraliers had an action-packed day full of performances throughout the community - from a community relations breakfast to an all-school assembly at Iroquois, then on to the festive Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce annual luncheon and ending with Chippewa and Algonquin visits! The ensembles performed beautifully, impressing their audiences and representing West proudly!

Thanks to all of the people who made today's performances happen, but especially the students and their directors, Mr. Jim Schiffer and Ms. Daniella Valdez.

Many more pictures from today's performances can be found HERE. 

Addison DeRusha Receives Honorable Mention in the ArtConnectED Digital Photography Throwdown! #207Now #art #artthrowdown2022 @mainewestart @lahartanddesign2 @lloyd_mwphoto @artconnect_ed @mainewestfab @mwhs207

Congratulations to ADDISON DERUSHA for receiving Honorable Mention in the IHSAE ArtConnectED sponsored Digital Photography Throwdown challlenge! Students had 90 minutes to brainstorm, stage, execute, and edit a triptych photo series responding to the prompt, which was "Seriously."

Well done, Addison! We are so proud of you!

Thank you to Ms. Lloyd for providing this enrichment opportunity to art students!

Improv Warriors Winter Showcase a Hilarious Hit! #207Now #improv @mainewestdrama @mainewestfab

Tonight, the Maine West Drama Club sponsored their winter Improv Warriors Showcase. The performance was packed full of improv games based on audience suggestion, with the performances eliciting howling laughter! Congratulations to all of the student leaders in Drama Club on a successful first Improv Warriors Showcase! We can't wait for your spring performance!

More pictures from tonight's performance can be found HERE. 

The Maine West Choraliers Perform with the Illinois Wesleyan Collegiate Choirs #207Now #CollegeConnections @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab @iwu_music

On Sunday, December 4th, the Maine West Choraliers under the direction of Mr. Jim Schiffer performed on Illinois Wesleyan's "Christmas Choral Concert." Congratulations to the Choraliers on your performance! Thank you to Mr. Schiffer for arranging this wonderful enrichment opportunity for the Choraliers!

Videos of the Choraliers' performance can be found HERE.

The Marching Warriors and Choraliers Perform at the Annual Des Plaines Holiday Tree Lighting #207Now #Cheer #Community @mainewestband @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab @mwactivities @cityofdp

The Marching Warriors and Choraliers brought the community of Des Plaines some holiday cheer through their performances at the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting in downtown Des Plaines on Friday, December 2nd. Thank you to the Choraliers and the Marching Warriors and their directors, Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr and Mr. Schiffer, for performing for the community!

More pictures and videos can be found HERE.

WMTH Hosts Area Middle Schoolers to Livestream a Basketball Game #207Now #FutureWarriors @62schools @wmth_west @mainewestfab

On Friday, December 2nd, WMTH hosted area middle schoolers to teach them how to film and produce a livestream of a varsity basketball game. Thanks to Ms. Rebecca Orr for organizing this wonderful event for our future Warrior Broadcasters! Thanks to all of the area middle school students who were guest camera operators, producers, anchors, and the many other roles needed to create a livestream!