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 2023 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 4 at Glenbrook South High School for Band, Choir and Orchestra and on Saturday, November 18th at Lake Zurich 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
Gemima Eyeson (12), Flute

JAZZ BAND
Georgios Panagiotidis (12), Tenor Sax

ORCHESTRA
Aaron Grata (12), Violin

CHOIR
Irene Han (11), Soprano II
Addison Stutheit (12), Alto I
Haven Wallgren-Lemmerman (12), Tenor I

Composer Dr. Sáez Speaks with Maine West Choir Students #207Now #composer #guestartist @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab

On Friday, October 13th, Maine West's Concert Choir had the opportunity to Zoom with Dr. Diana Sáez (Choral Professor at Towson University- Towson, Maryland). Dr. Sáez is a Puerto-Rican American composer. She spoke with the students about how her Latina identity plays a role in her composition work, and also discussed the diversity of Latin American choral music!

Concert Choir is currently singing one of Dr. Sáez's pieces in class-- "Plena"-- a Puerto-Rican rhythm and dance. "Plena" will be performed at our Dimensions concert next month. This year, the theme of Dimensions is Identity so there were many rich connections students were able to make to their own identities during this Zoom session. The session concluded with Maine West students singing "Plena" for Dr. Sáez! 

Thank you to choral director, Mr. Jim Schiffer, for arranging this wonderful opportunity that afforded Maine West choir students the ability to converse with a professional composer!

Opening Night of The Diary of Anne Frank a Triumph! #207Now #annefrank @mainewestdrama @mwactivities @mainewestfab

Congratulations to the actors, tech crew, costume and make up crew and all directors and designers involved in this year's fall play production of The Diary of Anne Frank. The Maine West Drama production of this emotionally stirring and thought-provoking story is not to be missed. Wendy Kesserman's adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank play by Goodrich and Hackett brings Anne Frank's poignant diary entries to life on stage.

The Maine West cast delivers performances that are nothing short of mesmerizing. The actress playing Anne, Nina Brouder, captures Anne's youthful spirit and wisdom beyond her years, making you feel as if you're right there in the secret annex with her.

The production team has gone to great lengths to recreate the atmosphere of the annex, making the experience all the more immersive. The costumes are period-appropriate, adding another layer of authenticity.

This play isn't just entertainment; it is a lesson in history, humanity, and the resilience of the human spirit. You'll leave the auditorium not just entertained, but enriched and enlightened.

Don't miss out! Grab your tickets now (bit.ly/MWBoxOffice) for the final two performances on Friday, October 13th and Saturday, October 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Maine West Auditorium.

A digital version of the program can be found HERE.

A folder full of pictures from the production can be found HERE.

Many thanks to the family, friends and fans who have helped (or will help) this production in any capacity! We could not do what we do without the dedicated support of our wonderful volunteers, contributing members, and board members with the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters!

2023 MW/D62 Marching Band Night! #207Now #62Learns @mainewestband @62schools @mainewestfab

 
Tonight, Maine West hosted 7th and 8th grade band students and teachers from Iroquois, Algonquin and Chippewa at the annual MW/D62 Marching Band Night! Our friends from District 62 learned to play the fight song in student-led sectionals earlier in the evening.

At the concert, the Maine West Band performed their show The Architect, among other fan favorites - the fight song and drumline cadences. The District 62 and Maine West Bands joined together to finish the concert in Mega Band Mode and performed a Taylor Swift tune and the Maine West Fight Song!

Congratulations to all of the student musicians and music teachers, especially our friends from District 62! We look forward to welcoming all of you in the Maine West Band program as students soon!

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

Homecoming 2023! #207Now #homecoming @mainewestband @mainewestchoir @wmth_west @mwactivities @mainewestfab

School pride abounds at Maine West today, as the school community celebrates Homecoming 2023!

The admired Warrior Drumline got the party started this morning, performing before the start of the school day. The Choraliers sang a beautiful version of the national anthem to begin today's assembly, and the Maine West Band lifted everyone's spirits at the assembly, as well as during the incredible Marching Warriors halftime performance of "The Architect" at tonight's victorious football game against Maine East.

WMTH covered tonight's game! Watch their broadcast HERE.

Thank you to the many family members who served on the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters volunteer crew to sell merch and split the pot tickets and to assist the band! We love our volunteers!

More pictures and videos from today's festivities can be found HERE.

2023 Marching Band Exhibition a Success! #207Now #marchingband #musiceducation @mainewestband @mainewestfab @mwactivities @mwhs207

Congratulations to the Fenton High School Marching Bisons and the Maine West High School Marching Warriors on your fantastic performances at tonight's Marching Band Exhibition in the Warrior Stadium!

Each group performed their shows separately - the Marching Bisons' "All That Jazz" and the Maine West Marching Warriors' "The Architect" - for a panel of clinicians, who provided feedback and coaching on the musical and visual components of the shows.

Thank you to all of the students, families and the marching band staff who were in attendance at our Marching Band Exhibition!

A shout out to the teachers and staff members who work tirelessly during marching band season to provide students with an enriching experience:

Marching Bisons Staff
Garett George, Director of Bands
Mike Vilches, Percussion Instructor
Arturo Alfaro, Woodwinds Instructor
Sam Michels, Brass Instructor
Kyra Behnke, Color Guard Instructor

Marching Warriors Staff
Bernie Gerstmayr, Director of Bands
Danny Kent, Assistant Marching Band Director
Bobby Bonslater, Music Design, Visual Design, Drumline Instructor
Kaitlyn Colyer, Color Guard Instructor
Alumni Staff: Claire Faust (Visual, Brass), Maren Garnett (Visual, Drum Major), Willienne Sugay (Percussion)

Thank you to Mr. G for all of your work to make this event happen!

A HUGE thanks to all of the parent volunteers with the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters who made this show run so smoothly! We couldn't do these events without your support!

Thank you to our amazing student announcers from WMTH - Brooke Capper and Ben Pluta!

More pictures from tonight's Marching Band Exhibition can be found HERE.

Ms. Valdez and Members of MW Symphony Orchestra Featured on WGN! #207Now #musiceducation #hispanicheritagemonth @mworchestras @mainewestfab @mwactivities @mwhs207

On Thursday, September 21, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, WGN featured West's very own Daniella Valdez (Director of Maine West Orchestras), highlighting her accomplishments in the field of music education as a Latina conductor.

Congratulations, Ms. Valdez! We are very proud of your accomplishments and thankful for everything you do for Maine West students!

Watch the feature - including student interviews with Aaron Grata and Jaiden Maisonet - on WGN HERE!