westsidechoirs.com Westside Vocal Music

Cabaret 2015: Music In My Soul

Music in my Soul was the 2015 theme for Cabaret this year. One was able to identify with different people in history who shared their thoughts on music. From Albert Einstein to Aretha Franklin, or Plato to Elvis Presley, all had a deep understanding of how Mu-sic shapes our souls and the world. The matinee show featured performances from the Freshman Choir who thrilled us with “Rock Star” and “Viva La Vida.” The Warrior Choir entertained us with “Pompeii” while Decebelles shared a song entitled “Seize the Day.” The Chamber Singers performed “Man in the Mirror” and all three of Westside’s Show Choirs dazzled the audience with their performances. The

twelve soloists for the matinee includ-ed Sam Thomas, Owen Rush, Natalie Day, Alli Vester, Nathan Wallace, Xza-vier Fort, Josh Wonder, Ciara Seward, Amy Conaway, Olivia Coulter, Jackson Frerichs, and Jacob Thomas. All gave outstanding performances.

The six Masters of Ceremony dressed in costumes displayed their talent and kept the show moving along amidst laughter and introductions. These very talented students were nev-er at a loss for some crazy antics, one line zingers or just plain ‘ole humor.

The evening show featured the Concert choir performing “Electricity” and “Love Runs Out.” Warrior Choir, Decibelles and Chamber Singers as well

as Warrior Express, Simply Irresistible and ATSC rocked the house with a sec-ond performance of each of their songs. Eleven soloists including Maddy Stark, Ian Wear, Claire Hofmann, Reilly Christensen, Kate Hammitt, Jaylee Johnson, Kalan Ferate, Grace Johan-ningsmeier, Lydia James, Sam DeVries and Lily Hoy captured the audiences attention and Treble in Paradise, per-formed “Pitch Perfect Medley” for the twelfth act. Members of the group in-cluded: Ben Bottafarano, Levi DeVries, Tyler Gregurich, Nick Gross, Isaac Henson, Ben Mordhorst, Ethan Stark, Jacob Thomas, and Ben Volberding.

Mid- America Video Images is 

December 8, 2015 Vol. VI, No. 2

Inside This IssueCabaret 2015: Music In My Soul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Once Westside High School Vocal Students . . . . . . 2Show Choir Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Handel’s Messiah: A Collaborative Event . . . . . . . . 5All-State Choral Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Hall of F.A.M.E. Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72015-2016 Vocal Music Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Cabaret to page 6

2 Voices Westside Vocal Music

Once Westside High School Vocal Students… Now Westside Teachers

Four young Westside teachers are alumni vocal students: Camille Akers (2010), Lauren (Dinkel) Latka (2008), Emily Longe (2008) and Andy Rider (2008). Although different paths led these Warriors back to District 66, they share fond memories of their involve-ment in WHS’ vocal music program.

Camille Akers, a UNL grad who currently teaches sixth grade at Rock-brook Elementary always knew she wanted to be a teacher but didn’t dis-cover her love for the elementary setting until working as a volunteer in Under-wood Hills’ after-school program. In high school, Akers was involved in all the choirs and all three show choirs. She remembers pushing herself harder than ever as a member of ATSC. “I think my time in WHS vocal music shaped a lot of who I was as a young person. Never really being into sports, I found confidence in myself through song, and (vocal music class) was the time of day I looked forward to most,” she said. Though she doesn’t teach music, she shares happy memories of choir and show choir with her students and encourages them to get involved with music. “It really brings me joy to see them sing at the District Festival along-side the high-schoolers in the spring.”

Like Akers, Lauren (Dinkel) Latka seemed to always know she would someday be a teacher. With four younger siblings, she learned to teach and care for children at a young age. Latka earned her degree at UNO in 2012, then student-taught at Pad-dock Road Elementary where she has remained and taught third grade ever since. As a former member of all of WHS’s choirs, Warrior Express and Simply Irresistible, she credits the high school for her love of music. “I can remember all the songs we sang and even some of the choreography

we did.” Latka also recalled singing “Seed to Sow” when she herself was in elementary school. “I enjoyed being able to sing with the older grades when I was young and then singing with the younger students when I was in high school. It was wonderful to able to share in that throughout the grades.”

Emily Longe, who teaches Pottery I and Art Foundations at WHS, did not

initially envision herself as a teacher. In high school, she spent four years in choir and two years in SI. She also en-gaged her passion for horses by training, riding and competing with the horse that she still owns. Following gradua-tion, Longe headed to UNL to pursue a degree in Equine Science but kept music as a hobby by participating in vari-ous college choirs. However, she soon decided that horses made a better hobby than a career and transferred to UNO to earn a degree in Art Education. She credits Mr. Johnson and Mr. Avery for her ability to find herself and come into her own. “They helped me gain confi-dence and enjoy the talents I was given, and for that, I am truly grateful. WHS has two amazing vocal music educators, and they bring out the absolute best from their students. Because of them,

I had the chance to not only sing with my fellow classmates but participate in Districts as well as All-State—both incredible experiences, not to mention all the amazing wonderful things that came from show choir! I sometimes wish I could sneak back into choir class and just sing along. To sum it up in one word, when I look back on it all, I think ‘happy.’ I was just happy!” she said.

Camille Akers

Lauren Latka

Emily Longe

Alumni to page 6

I think my time in WHS vocal music

shaped a lot of who I was as a young person.

westsidechoirs.com Voices 3

Look Sharp for Show Choir Season and The Competition of Excellence!

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4 Voices Westside Vocal Music

Show Choir TipsWith show choir season just weeks

away, we rounded up advice to make the season go smoothly.

Parking is never plentiful. Wear comfortable shoes in case you have a long walk; and don’t wait until 15 minutes before the performance to arrive, or you will miss the show. Handicapped parking fills up fast. So don’t count on that even if you have a handicapped sticker.

Take cash. Show choir competi-tions are fundraisers for hosting schools so expect to pay at least $10 for admission. Credit Cards often are not accepted. So take cash to be on the safe side. Don’t bring food in; buying food supports the hosting school.

Line up early for seats. Once a show choir performance starts, the doors are locked and you won’t get in. Most people recommend getting in line at least two performances before West-side performs. If you leave, you will have to go to the back of the line, even if someone inside is saving you a seat.

Front row seats are not always the best. They are supposed to be reserved for fans of the next scheduled perfor-mance. But while they might be best for picture taking and having your cheers heard, seats further back usually offer better views and better acoustics.

Chat with parents from other

choirs. Getting to know parents from other schools gives you the opportuni-ty to learn tidbits of information such as the cost to participate in show choir at different schools or learn of different traditions they have.

Applaud only at appropriate times, be aware of “silent clapping.” Don’t cover up a “Musical Moment” with ap-plause. Great singing happens right af-ter a solo and if parents clap, the sing-

ing can’t be heard. Fans sometimes put their hands in the air and wiggle their fingers to create “silent” applause. This may feel weird the first time you see it, or even do it, but judges consider it a tribute to a good solo if there is no “heard” applause.

Sign up to be a room monitor. Vol-

unteering to be a room monitor dur-ing competitions is a fun way to meet and interact with your child’s friends in the different show choirs.

Be a good sport. If you only ap-plaud for Westside and look uninter-ested when others perform, it is an insult that parents from other groups notice. Also, don’t openly critique any performance. We parents need to remember that we represent Westside too, and those critiques or negative comments hurt our reputation.

You will never fully understand the judging. Each competition has differ-ent rules designed to make the con-test “fair”. But there is still a certain amount of subjectivity. You will be surprised how much improvement the kids make from the first performance to the last. Choreography is tweaked and singing improves, as they get more confident. The songs you like least might end up your favorites. Just enjoy the show.

Cheer loudly! Don’t be shy about crazy cheering. Loud and lengthy cheering is part of the show choir experience so don’t be embarrassed to join in. The kids are most inspired if fans go wild right as they take the stage, during dance breaks and at the end during the bow.

There is a dress code for compe-titions. Warrior Express kids are expected to wear their show choir

t-shirts or a Westside logo shirt and nice jeans. Because Warrior Express usually performs early, Mr. Johnson wants them to be comfortable for the rest of the day. Simply Irresistible and ATSC wear something dressy between performances to make the transition from spectator to performer easier.

Show choir kids are often starv-ing late at night. When show choirs return to Omaha, it doesn’t matter how late it is, don’t be surprised if they want to go eat.

Anyone can make the ATSC symbol. Along with cheering, some fans make the ATSC symbol by forming a triangle with their hands. Some think this tradi-tion is reserved for ATSC members only. This is not true. So go ahead and show your pride. The students definitely will keep this tradition alive.

Don’t forget: Black Socks and Curl-ing Irons. Make sure boys always have black sock, and a black belt with them. Girls will often share their curling

irons at a contest, if one should forget this much needed instrument. What often happens is unclaimed or forgot-ten curling irons are tossed, if no one claims them.

Avoid the “my cell phone died” excuse. If you want to be in touch with your child during or after the daylong contest, make sure they have, and can charge, their phones for the day. This way they can let you know when their bus is almost home.

Don’t miss out on “Evening of Show Choirs.” Tickets for this season ending show choir event are pre-sold only to VMPA Hall of F.A.M.E. do-nors. Make your contribution today by visitinghttp://www.wcsfoundation66.org/support/hall-of-f-a-m-e/

ATSC

Simply Irresistable

Warrior Express

westsidechoirs.com Voices 5

Handel’s Messiah: A Collaborative Event

This year’s Choral Collaborative involved choirs from Omaha Benson, Creighton Prep, Bellevue East, Lincoln Southwest, Papillion La Vista South and Westside High School. The choirs performed in partnership with the Omaha Symphony under the baton of Ernest Richardson. This year’s “Master Work” was GF Handel’s Messiah, which is perhaps his most famous oratorio. The Choral Collabora-tive performance took place on Sunday, November 15th in the Holland Performing Arts Center.

VMPA Board MembersPresident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natalie & Eric PetersenVice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wendie & Scott GroganSecretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cathy & Steve HaneyTreasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim WearAdvisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ann & Scott Hofmann

VMPA Committee ChairsHospitality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy & Phil CosimanoVoices Newsletter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie & Paul TrivilinoHall of F.A.M.E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie McMullenBulletin Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue FrerichsATSC Retreat (2015) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Molly & Mike WallaceATSC Picnic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cindy & Brad HammittSenior Posters . . . . . . . . . . . .Chrisi Hughes & Sue FrerichsCabaret . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shannon HoyCOE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue & Steve Seline Courtney & Jason HellmanBackstage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Doug FrerichsEvening of Show Choirs . . . . .Angie Bekins & Stacy SimonScholarships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wendie GroganEquipment Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brett Thomas

All-State Choral Festival

Westside was well represented at Nebraska’s 2015 All-State Choral Festival, November 19-21 in Lincoln. A total of 17 vocalist and 10 instrumentalists were selected to participate in the festival:

ChorusBrenden Avery (11) Ben Battafarano (12) Reilly Christensen (12) Olivia Coulter (12) Tyler Gregurich (12) Kate Hammitt (11) Isaac Henson (12) Jacob Hershiser (12) Lillian Hoy (10) Thomas Schnell (11) Ethan Stark (12) Jacob Thomas (12) Ben Volberding (12) Nathan Wallace (11) Zane Watanabe (11) Ian Wear (11) Phoebe Yueill (11)

InstrumentalistsEmily Hammans (11) Beatrice Hammel (10) Ava Bowman (11) Elley Lawson (10) Jill Tucker (10) Simon Bessmer (11) Grace Calderon (10) Tyler Douglass (11) Kath rine Hamann (10) Zach McCarty (12)

Music Instructors are: Vocal - Doran Johnson and Kyle Avery; Band - James Kordik and Tim Rischling; Orches tra - Lanny Stutheit.

Choral students representing Westside High School pose for a photo before the 2015 All-State Choral Festival.

AcknowledgmentsThe editors of Westside’s Voices newsletter, Julie & Paul

Trivilino, thank:• ElizabethTapeforhermanyoutstandingphotosofchoir

and show choir students.• NataliePetersenforcontributingtheteacherstory.• JackieKroegerfortheShowChoirTipsstory.• PaulTrivilinoDesignforprofessionaldesign/layoutservices.• WestsidePrintServicesfornewsletterprinting.• JulieMcMullenforHallofF.A.M.E.donortracking.

As always, we thank the Westside Vocal Music staff for their dedication to the ongoing growth and development of our students, not only as vocalists, but also as team members and upstanding representatives of Westside High School.

Members of Westside High School’s choral program participate with choirs from several Omaha-area schools, and the Omaha Symphony, in a collaborative production of Handel’s Messiah.

6 Voices Westside Vocal Music

proud to have been selected to pro-vide you a way to save all of the memories of Omaha Westside’s Caba-ret Night 2015. Each Blu- ray or DVD set will be a complete three camera, digitally edited version of both the 3 PM and 7 PM performances.  Each selection will have it’s own chap-ter on the disc for easy access. The cost for a DVD set of this production is only $30.00. A High Definition Blu- ray set is available for only $40.00. You

canexpectdeliveryof yourBlu-ray/DVDs within three weeks of your order. See www.westsidechoirs.com/cabaret for an order form. A special “Thank you” goes to Elizabeth Tape who provided all the pictures for pur-chase prior to the performances.

Shannon Hoy, Cabaret Chairperson had nothing but praise for all the vol-unteers, committee chairs and donors who helped make the two show fund-raiser a huge success. The outpouring

of help, not just financially but those who donated baked goods, worked outside directing traffic, worked con-cessions, or backstage setting up each performance is what makes this an outstanding event for all. As William Shakespeare once said “The earth has music for those who listen” and the audience got to hear it for the matinee opener to the final act of the evening show, the 2015 Cabaret was filled with extraordinary music.

Cabaret from page 1

Alumni from page 2

Alum Andy Rider graduated from UNO in 2012 with a bachelors in Communication but had no intention of becoming a teacher. He worked in

the business world for six months but “couldn’t find the right fit.” He took a side-job coaching swimming in the evenings and soon realized he wanted to work with children. Rider said, “I decided to go back to school and get my Masters of Arts in Teaching. I

finished the program in May of 2015 and was hired on at Rockbrook as their new Special Education teacher.” At WHS, Rider participated in Fresh-man Choir, Concert Choir, and then Warrior Choir his junior and senior years. As a bass vocalist, he particular-ly remembers singing pieces composed

by Moses Hogan. Rider said, “WHS’ vocal music program is one of the best in the state, if not the best. Doran made choir fun and exciting. He had very high expectations for us and he demanded that we do our best because he knew that we could perform at an extremely high level. He made it feel more like a welcoming, family experi-ence rather than just an elective class.”

Though they took diverse paths to arrive at their current teaching careers, the four energetic alumni all agree that Westside was a top-choice school dis-trict in which to land. Akers summed up their consensus, saying, “There was no question that I wanted to come back to Westside to teach since I had such wonderful memories of my time as a student. I knew that Westside was a place that could give me the knowl-edge, resources and support to make a difference for my students as my teachers had for me.”

Andy Rider

There was no question that I wanted to

come back to Westside to teach...

Visit WestsideChoirs.com for up-to-date program dates and information.

westsidechoirs.com Voices 7

Thank You to the 2015 - 2016 Hall of F.A.M.E.* Members (as of 12/1/2015)

Underwriter $1,500 or moreSteve & Cathy HaneyScott & Ann Hofmann Kirsten & Stephen Hosman

Charlie & Julie Liakos Ron Mordhorst

& Tina Scott-Mordhorst

The Seline Family Bruce & Stacy Simon

Kim & Jim SimonRon & Annette Volberding

Benefactor $1,000-$1,499Angie & John Bekins John & Chrisi Hughes Eric & Natalie Petersen

Sponsor $500-$999Blue Cross & Blue ShieldFire Protection Services, LLCRob & Shelby Foral

Christine & Bob Harry Terry & Jackie KroegerMarie & Blane McCann

Mike & Julie McMullenKay Owen

David Sweeney & Teri MauchThe Wengert Family

Platinum Record Member $250-$499Sean & Maria AkersThe Battafarano FamilyMarc & Barbara BreySam & Deb BrowerLouie & Mary Dircks

The Conaway FamilyCarol FerateCindy & Brad HammittAndy & Lillian JacobitzLouie & Sandy James

Joanie Lehr Adam & Sandy SawyerUnion Pacific Railroad Chris Wear

John & Sara Young-In Honor of Joanna Young Shubart & Andrew Young

Gold Record Member $75-$249Michael Alston David & Theresa BanarkMarty & Sue BarnhartJustene Bunting Rhonda & Cicero CalderonAndrew & Stacey CarnazzoLinda CheathamRon & Sharon ChvalaSuzy & Ian CrabbAnne Conway DayThe DeVries FamilyDr. & Mrs. John Donaldson

Jack & Deb GiffordJordana & Jim GlazerCindy & Bruce GoldbergCody & Janette KarreBrian & Angelia KerstKent & Ann KnudsenSandor & Eva LovasJohn & Tami MatousekJeff & Cyndi NelsonPaul & Kari NelsonDavid & Jennifer Paul David & Leneé Petri

R.K. Piper & Sandy HeatherJim & Jana RoseBert & Alona ScottJeff & Julie ShieldsMike & Lisa SmithPatrick & Grace TantilloTom & Elizabeth TapeBrett & Kate ThomasSteve & Judy TimmonsBob & Maureen Toy Paul & Julie TrivilinoThe Turman Family

Troy & Kathleen UptonThe Vazzano Family Mary WallaceMichael & Nijole WardJoe & Helen WardianJoy & Gordon WatanabeKim WearScott & Belinda WeidnerSteve & Brigid WilkeningBrian & Christine YueillRisa & Dale Zimmerman

Top-Ten Hits Member $1-$74Todd & Nancy BellKevin & Kathy DinkelTom & Donna DobsonMichael ErdmanShawn & Lori Farwell

John & Robin GregurichAmy & John HruskaJeff & Pam IngrahamConnie JohnsonGordon & Stephanie Keator

The KempsSkip & Carol LeggeBrian & Tammy Mahlendorf Dan MarburgDave & Cindy Rector

Heather & John RussellEric & Sara SayreThe Wilson FamilyBrent & Tricia Wonder

*Fund for Attaining Musical Excellence. The names listed above are current as of December 1, 2015. We apologize for the omission of any donor names due to publication deadlines. An updated list will be included in the next issue of this newsletter.

Join Vocal Music Parent Association Today!Open to individuals, families and corporations

Go online to joinSelect your membership level

Make your tax-deductible contributionEnjoy the perks of membership*

http://www.wcsfoundation66.org/support/hall-of-f-a-m-e/ *See website for a list of membership benefits.

Westside Vocal Music westsidechoirs.com

2015-2016 Vocal Music Calendar

Date Event Choirs

December8(Tues) WinterChoralConcert(WHSAud.)7:30p.m. Freshman/Concert/Warrior

January2(Sat) ATSCRehearsal9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. ATSC/Band/Crew

January3(Sun) ATSCRehearsalwithDina1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. ATSC/Band/Crew

January5(Tues) ATSCPremiereNight7:00p.m.(WHSAud.) ATSC/Band/Crew

January8/9/10(Fri-Sun) Viterbo101ShowChoirInvite(LaCrosse,WI) ATSC/Band/Crew

Depart11:00a.m.onFri/Return5:00p.m.onSun

January15/16/17(Fri-Sun) HeartofAmericaShowChoirInvitational(KansasCity) SI

January23(Sat) RalstonRamageddon ATSC/SI/WE

January30(Sat) WestsideCompetitionofExcellence ATSC/SI(work/perform)

WE (work)

February13(Sat) ElkhornSouthCrystalCup ATSC/SI/WE

February16(Tues) ChoralClinicConcert7:30p.m.(WHSAud.) Warrior/Concert/Freshman

February19/20/21(Fri-Sun) GreatRiverShowChoirInvitational(Davenport,IA) ATSC/SI

Departat4:00p.m.onFri/Return1:00p.m.onSun

February 27 (Sat) Norris Fields of Talent Show Choir Invitational WE

March5(Sat) LewisCentralClashoftheTitans ATSC/SI/WE

March 22 (Tues) 6th-12thGradeChoralFestival7:00p.m.(MainGym) Warrior/ATSC

March 30-April 3 (Wed-Sun) Show Choir Nationals (Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN) ATSC

April 7 (Thur) Show Choir Auditions 3:30 p.m. -10:00 p.m. (Vocal Room)

April 17 (Sun) Metro Show Choir Showcase (Holland Center) ATSC

April19(Tues) Pre-ContestConcert7:30p.m.(MainGym) Warrior/Band/Orchestra

April20-23(Wed-Sat) DistrictMusicContest(@Bellevue) Warrior/Soloists

May4(Wed) SpringChoralConcert7:30p.m.(Auditorium) Warrior/Concert/Freshman

May6(Fri) ATSCPicnic6:30p.m.(Courtyard/LittleTheater) ATSC

May7(Sat) AnEveningofShowChoirs7:00p.m.(WHSAud.) ATSC/SI/WE

For up-to-date information, event schedules and photos, visit westsidechoirs.com.