GFW High School has a tremendous amount of pride in being a small district with big opportunities. Students are able to participate in a wide variety of activities, clubs, and athletics while taking part in innovative career and technical education programs and charting the course for their future.
A longstanding tradition in the community is the support of the arts, through the renowned band and choir programs. In order to participate in choir or band, students are showing their ability to manage their time juggling a variety of different activities.
“Nearly all of our band students are involved in multiple activities,” said Band Director Nicholas Berg. “Many play at least one sport, while others participate in organizations like Knowledge Bowl, FFA, NHS, and Student Council. Despite their packed schedules, these students still show up for extra rehearsals, Jazz Band, and Pep Band—demonstrating incredible dedication!”
Their hard work definitely pays off. Students work hard throughout the year at mastering their instrument or exploring different styles of music, having a lot of fun at the annual variety show. The band has really seen growth this year, starting with 22 members and growing to 38 by the end of the year.
“Watching students take greater ownership of their musicianship has been inspiring,” said Mr. Berg. “Their confidence has soared and they are more willing to take risks, and are tackling more challenging music at a high quality.”
The support from the community is something that really makes a difference for the music program. With strong attendance at concerts and impressive showings at contests, GFW stands out for the passion and dedication in supporting the arts.
“The GFW Music Fans and our surrounding community have embraced the arts and supported the music programs,” said Choir Director Tommy Krueger. “Mr. Berg and I are very thankful to be supported by parents and the GFW community as we continue to foster and develop our music programs.”
This year, 16 members of the GFW Concert Band and 32 members of the choir were able to make the traditional trip to Disney World over spring break. The groups were able to perform with a mix of Disney songs and contest pieces and participate in incredible workshops with Disney crew and musicians.
The band had an instrumental workshop where they sight-read Disney tunes and recorded "I See the Light" from Tangled, which was later synced to a scene from the movie. Choir students were able to record sound effects, solos, and backing tracks for a Disney movie, and the Disney crew created a video that included their recordings.
“The trip was amazing,” said Mr. Krueger. “My highlight would be their performance at Disney because they did a great job. The students represented the best of GFW and learned a lot at our workshops with professional Disney musicians and producers.”
“The last time I visited Disney was in 2011 with my own high school band, so it was special to relive that experience with my students,” added Mr. Berg. “Despite just two rehearsals together, a broken instrument moments before our Disney Springs performance, and a student forgetting their music at the hotel, the group delivered a confident, high-energy performance.”
Students were also able to have some non-music related fun exploring Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. Some even conquered their fears by riding roller coasters for the first time ever! By the end of the trip, everyone was worn out and ready to get home, but it will be a trip they won’t forget.
“I could write a whole book on why music is essential for middle and high schoolers,” said Mr. Berg. Beyond technical skills, music teaches history, improves emotional intelligence, instills the value of hard work and produces results the community can hear through a lifelong creative outlet!”
