11.01.2024

Marching Warriors Indoor Showcase Concert 2024 #207Now #marchingband @mainewestband @mainewestfab

 

On Wednesday, October 30th, the Marching Warriors ended their official season with a final performance of their show, Mad Romance, and the stand charts from 2024 at the annual Marching Warriors Indoor Showcase Concert. Congratulations to the Marching Warriors on a successful marching band season, and for learning and performing such an intricate show this year!

See the video below to view the livestream produced by our video production interns, Ily Nanthavinh and Kallie Vanadia!


HERE is a folder full of pictures from the concert, including pictures of many of our seniors who were recognized!

HERE is a link to the concert program.

10.25.2024

Des Plaines Choral Festival 2024 #207Now #62Learns #choir #sing @mainewestchoir @d62schools @mainewestfab

 

On Thursday, October 24th, Maine West had the pleasure of hosting all of the area elementary and middle school choir students at the annual Des Plaines Choral Festival! Students participated in workshops and rehearsals together during the day, which culminated in an evening concert performed together. 

HERE is a folder full of pictures from the festival. 

HERE is the concert program.




10.23.2024

Des Plaines Orchestra Festival 2024 #207Now #62Learns #orchestra #musiceducation @mworchestras @62schools @mainewestfab

 

On Tuesday, October 22nd, Maine West had the pleasure of hosting over 130 area middle school orchestra students and their directors from Chippewa, Algonquin and Iroquois for the annual Des Plaines Orchestra Festival.

During the school day, students participated in rehearsals and workshops, with a special highlight being our guest clinician, Dr. Diego Piedra, the conductor of the Valparaiso University Orchestra.

The evening concert allowed each separate ensemble to shine in the spotlight with a piece or two performed independently, and then culminated with a mega-orchestra performance with all students performing Mechanical Monsters by Randall Standridge.

Thank you to all of the students and families for coming to West to participate in this very special community event!

Thank you to directors Kristin Vaziri, Dion Morales, Dominique Radtke and Daniella Valdez for organizing the events!

HERE is a folder full of pictures from tonight's concert. 

HERE is the concert program.

If you missed tonight's concert, please watch the livestream below:

10.17.2024

"Fairycakes" Grand Debut, A Hit Through and Through! #207Now #theatre #drama @mainewestdrama @mainewestfab @mwhs207 @mwactivities

Opening night of the Maine West Fine Arts Department's production of Douglas Carter Beane’s Fairycakes was an absolute delight! From the play began, the students’ vibrant energy, comedic timing, and skillful delivery enchanted the audience, making for an unforgettable evening of theater.

The cast tackled Beane’s witty script with remarkable poise, bringing to life the whimsical world of mischievous fairies and their adventures. Their ability to balance the play’s clever humor with moments of heartfelt emotion showcased the depth of their talent. Each character was crafted with precision, ensuring that no moment on stage was wasted.

The technical elements were equally impressive. The set, designed to reflect the magical forest, transported the audience into the play’s enchanting realm. Costumes were colorful and imaginative, perfectly complementing the fairytale atmosphere. The lighting and sound added subtle, yet powerful, touches that enhanced the overall experience.

The students’ hard work and dedication were evident throughout the production. Their commitment to bringing Fairycakes to life resulted in a professional-level performance that left the audience in awe!

Bravo to all of the students involved in the Fairycakes production, and to director, David Harmon, tech director, Peter McManus, and costumer, Mya Figueroa on an extremely successful opening night!

HERE is the program for the production.

HERE are many more pictures from the opening night performance.

There are two additional performances of Fairycakes by Douglas Carter Beane:

October 18th at 7:00 P.M.

October 19th at 7:00 P.M.

All performances are in the Maine West High School Auditorium. Tickets are $7/students and $12/adults. Get your tickets in advance at bit.ly/MWBoxOffice (case-sensitive)

Maine West & District 62 Middle School Bands Collaborate for Marching Band Night #207Now #band #marchingband @mainewestband @mainewestfab @62schools

 

On Wednesday, October 16th, Maine West welcomed students and directors from the three District 62 middle schools - Iroquois, Chippewa and Algonquin - to perform in the annual Maine West & District 62 Marching Band Night. 

The Marching Warriors performed their show, Mad Romance, and the District 62 students joined the Marching Warriors in performance of the Warrior Fight Song.

Thank you to all of the students and directors for coming to Maine West to share the joy of music! We look forward to welcoming all of the future Warriors to the West Band!

Click HERE to learn more about the Maine West Band, and what to look forward to when you join us at West! 

Click HERE to see many more pictures from the event!



10.16.2024

Congratulations to Maine West Musicians Earning All-District Honors! #207Now #ilmea #honors @mainewestband @mainewestchoir @mworchestras @mainewestfab @mwhs207 @mwactivities

 

Congratulations to the student musicians from Maine West High School who earned placement, by competitive audition, into the 2024 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-District Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band. These musicians submitted audition videos to the ILMEA, which were reviewed and scored by a panel of professional musicians. The scores were then ranked, and the top scoring musicians in the region were selected for participation in the District 7 ILMEA Festival, which will be held on Saturday, November 9 at Glenbrook South High School for Band, Choir and Orchestra and on Saturday, November 16th at Niles North High School for Jazz Band.

Selection to the ILMEA district honors ensembles distinguishes these musicians as some of the best musicians in the region. It is also the result of many hours of practice on the extremely challenging audition material. The Fine Arts Department is extremely proud of these musicians.

We are proud to announce this year's group of musicians who earned placement into the District 7 ILMEA Honors Ensembles:

BAND
Aaron Nisius (12), Bassoon

CHOIR
Frances Dela Cruz (11), Soprano II
Irene Han (12), Soprano II
Cristopher Lawpattanapong (11), Bass I

10.07.2024

2024 Maine West Marching Band Festival #207Now #marchingband @mainewestband @mainewestfab @genevahsband @prairieridgebands @220finearts

 

On October 5th, the Maine West Marching Warriors hosted three visiting marching bands: Geneva High School Marching Vikings, Prairie Ridge High School Wolfpack Marching Band and Barrington High School Marching Broncos at the annual Maine West Marching Band Festival. The festival, organized by Maine West's director of bands, Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr, was created to offer a performance opportunity focusing on education and collaboration in a friendly, non-competitive environment that fosters musical and technical growth for area high school marching bands.

Each band performed their 2024 marching band show, and then participated in a workshop with top clinicians from around the Chicagoland area, who provided them with valuable feedback and tools to improve their craft.

Thank you to Mr. Gerstmayr for your vision and organization making tonight's event possible!

Thank you to all of the visiting band directors and marching band staff for preparing your ensembles so well and for all of your efforts that allowed them to be a part of this event!

Thank you to the student announcers, Carter Roper and Lianna Ritti, for keeping us informed and entertained!

A HUGE thank you to the many, many parent and student volunteers who helped tonight as Maine West Fine Arts Boosters volunteers! We could not have done this event without your support!

Many more pictures from the 2024 Maine West Marching Band Festival can be found HERE.

The program from the 2024 Maine West Marching Band Festival can be found HERE.


Geneva High School Marching Vikings, Directors: Neal Shipton & Riley Carter

Prairie Ridge High School Wolfpack Marching Band, Directors: Mary Kate Kuhne & Jeff Crylen


Barrington High School Marching Broncos, Director: Kevin Krivosik


Maine West High School Marching Warriors, Director: Bernie Gerstmayr