Music is a universal mode of expression, but how does Willow Glen High School contribute to this global art? At Willow Glen, students in choir and band develop musical skills while learning teamwork and valuable strategies during their preparation for performances.
Leading up to a showcase of their skills, they stick to an alternating schedule within the class, between verb and singing practice. To ensure students know music theory and how to read music, their teacher, Paul Zawilski, values picking pieces for performances that have stood the test of time and proven to be worthy for his students to utilize. He places an emphasis on singing Christian songs in practice and performance. Since their melody is designed to be well-written for the voice, utilizing these aspects help improve quality and vocal fullness, making them more effective than current popular songs.
Ryen Bzostek (‘26) has been in choir since middle school and mentions from her experience that choir has taught her how to manage her stage fright and build connections. Through her trust in her choir team, she was able to find a safe space to grow. Bzostek’s advanced to the point of attributing a feeling “sort of like getting off a rollercoaster ride, you can feel the adrenaline wearing off. It feels pretty good knowing that [you] accomplished something” after a concert. As the stress and anxiety wear off, there comes the wave of relief accompanied by the fellowship of her friends after a performance.
We can admire the talents of band and choir members from their persistent work behind the scenes. Alina Wood (‘25), for example, uses her own experience in the array of instruments she plays. She’s the vocal director for the WGHS theater, guides the middle schoolers in playing their instruments, and has been part of the Jazz Band club ever since the class was cut. Wood expresses that from the beginning “it’s not just about talent, it’s about your motivation… after the performance, it [feels] like winning,” because that’s what pushes people to achieve their accomplishments.
Musical classes at WGHS allow students to compose a refined team to create a robust experience that exposes them to greatness. Cultivating skills that can be adapted to life outside music emphasizing teamwork, consistency, and a familiarity with the daily demonstration empowers members of choir and band to perform at their best.