The West choir program traveled to the WorldStrides Anaheim Heritage Festival in April and earned a total of eight trophies and plaques in Men’s, Treble, and Concert Choir categories.

The choir program is led by Gabrielle Wibbenmeyer, who took over in 2016. Wibbenmeyer has always been passionate about music. “I was inspired to become a music teacher because first, I couldn’t imagine doing anything in my life except music. And also, I wanted public schools to have the same kind of music experience as my evening paid professional choir was, because they deserve it too,” said Wibbenmeyer.

The choir program consist of mixed choir (learning students), treble choir (advanced women only) and concert choir (advanced women and men).  Although there is three different choirs, Wibbenmeyer combines her classes for concerts and competitions such as the one for California. Kassidy Ellingworth, a senior in concert choir comments on the preparation and rehearsals that took to win the eight trophies, “we’ve prepared for months including class rehearsals and after school.  After school rehearsals would last 2-3 hours. It took a lot of work and self motivation to go to practice especially during the weekend. I’m glad all our hard work paid off!”The trip to Anaheim,CA lasted 5 days with a total of 70 West High students from advanced choir.  The students spent their days roaming Universal studios and Disney land having fun in the sun, but once it came to the big competition where many schools came together to compete West focused and maintained dedication. The choir sang in total 9 songs.