Eric Whitacre

Lynne Gackle

Dr. Gackle is a literal angel— I mean it. When we sit in her office and chat I know for a fact that she is heaven sent. She is an incredible choral musician. She programs music in a way that tugs deeply at your heartstrings. She gives music a story that everyone can relate to, or relates it to an anecdotal time in her life. She doesn’t choose music that is emotionless. Every week, I look forward to our Tuesday/Thursday rehearsals so I can continue to fall more in love with choral music and center myself in what the songs make me feel. She is an incredible educator and I am so lucky and grateful to know her.

Brendan Hoffman

Brendan goes above and beyond to make every single student know that their voice deserves to be heard. He does so much hard work in our community, and travels out of state for events. He presents our school with so many opportunities to spread joy through music, like trips to music festivals and NYSSMA. He knows how to let every student shine and doesn’t let students give up on their abilities he knows they have.

Hoffman is the most inspirational person I know. He teaches with an overwhelming passion and love for music that carries over into all of his students. He is my mentor and inspires me everyday not only to be a better musician but a better person as well. He’s the reason why I am currently studying to become a music educator.

This man’s made my whole 4 years of high school great! Everytime I stepped into his class, I was always excited to work on our music and that was before I was brought into the Chamber Choir. He is a devoted teacher and can make any singer a better singer. His passion and devotion to teaching students music is always present when he was conducting at our concerts.

He is one of the kindest most helpful teachers I have ever met. I have learned so much from him and come out of my shell. He has made me feel like I have a home and a place in the music community. He is one of the best directors I have ever met and is so humble.

Mr. Hoffman has been the most dedicated teacher of my daughters high school career. He has been a constant reminder of what an educator should be. His classes bring joy to my daughter and bring out the importance for a love of learning, having her coming home excited to apply everything he has taught her has been a remarkable thing to see. He always strives to see that all his students are taking something away from his class whether it should be learning to compose and dictate music or how to pass on an act of kindness, I am thankful that my daughter has teacher that cares a great deal about the motivations and happiness of all of his students so much so I feel the need to write in appreciation to hopefully have him nominated because he more than well deserves to be recognised.

He has helped kids through so much not only in their exploration through music but also in their journey through life.

Every morning I have a reason, a path to which I am working towards because of this man I have been able to realize not only do I want a future in music but the role model and the standard kindness Everyone needs and deserves everyday, he dedicates his life to his job and his students, and i recently got to take part in an annual reciting of a beautiful song called earth song, this was its 10th year, Mr Hoffman invites his former students to part take every year, this being the 10th year was very special and the turnout of previous students spoke the amount of gratitude towards this amazing man having had the risers and isles packed with such students was breath taking, Eric Whitacre is Mr Hoffman’s biggest role model singing many of his pieces a year, giving him this, I would hope would show a little of how much he really does for his students, that his countless hours after school hours and free time working to make each students opportunities more in reach doesn’t go unnoticed.

Mr. Hoffman is a SUPERB teacher who has created a flourishing music department in a school that does not have the resources to financially support an expensive program. The Albany High music department it is a choral family based on love for their teacher, a love for singing, and a love for making an impact on the lives of other people through music. Mr. Hoffman has been given rotten lemons by the powers that be, and has made state of the art lemonade. No other teacher is more deserving of this award. Mr. Hoffman is kind, patient, understanding, generous, and enthusiastic. His room is home for students who need a safe haven; he doesn’t give up on anyone.

Mr Hoffman has made me feel welcome and comforted for the past soon to be four (and last) years. He has never failed to pick me up on a day where life is getting me down and has taught me how to pull myself into everything I’m passionate in. He is overall an amazing teacher.

Mr. Hoffman was my choir teacher in high school and one of the most compassionate and engaged educators I’ve ever met. He truly cares about his students, and instills in them a passion for music and the arts, and the connection that that brings. I’m so thankful for his impact on his students lives.

Mr. Hoffman was my choir teacher for three years, and not only is he hardworking and completely dedicated to his craft, but he gives confidence to those who are shy at first and encourages all of his students to be the best that they can be.

He has inspires and continues to inspire all of his students. His passion for music is clear and present in everything he does he never ceases to enlighten new generations of students to the beauty of music.

He was my high school choir teacher. Up until my junior year I was so nervous to perform in front of people. He helped me find my voice, my confidence, and my path to finding my true self. He always believed in me and showed me what I can really do with my voice and he helped me see all the potential I had in me. Thanks to him I now perform regularly, solo and with a soul/funk band. (now 4 years since graduating high school)

Mr. Hoffman is not only an amazing music choir teacher and conductor, but has such a kind soul. Hoffman takes the time to make sure we know the material, but let’s us add our own flair. He is so unique in terms of his personality. He jokes around with his students, and encourages us to take risks with our voice and the music written for us. He arranges pieces in days, even with his right schedule. Brendan Hoffman is such an amazing person and teacher, I don’t think I’ll ever find a teacher as encouraging and passionate as him.

He’s an incredible teacher who deserves to be Eric Whitacre’s teacher of the week!

Mr. Hoffman is an inspiring music teacher at Albany High School in Albany. New York. He leads an amazing choral program and has left a legacy on all of his students. He has taught them about music and how to create and appreciate it, and the music we have made has touched us deeply. He goes out of his way to support his students and he has formed close relationships with us. He has changed our lives with the music we have made with him, he has shown us the impact music has on our lives and the rest of the world. He is a major inspiration to me and a big reason I am pursuing music education in college currently. He is extremely dedicated to his job and students and goes above and beyond for them. He deserves this award for the impact he has had on the lives of all of his students.

He has changed my life. He creates such an accepting environment and made me want to go to school. I love singing and am thinking about majoring in it.

He taught me so much in just one year. And he helped me get ready for my college auditions for music school.

I had the pleasure of working with Hoff throughout my four years of high school, at Albany High, starting in vocal class and moving up into the acapella group the Albanettes, where i sang for such people as the New York State Governor, the New York State Senate, and many others. Throughout my time as his student, Hoff showed me compassion, mentorship, and love. He was even there for me during a difficult period of my senior year. He is overall a wonderful teacher who takes pride in making his students the best that they can be on stage and off. He is an absolutely wonderful person who leaves a lasting impression on all of his students. He was my favorite teacher of my entire schooling and will continue to inspire me for the rest of my life.

Mr. Hoffman is one of those special teachers kids are lucky enough to get a chance to work with. Making music with him is truly creating a multifaceted piece of art day in and out. He takes high school choir to a level many strive to achieve but never quite can. He teaches students not only how to make music together but to love and cherish it. For me, he took a girl who could sing and made her a performer with a passion for singing she didn’t know she could possess. He’s done that for so many students and I know he’ll continue to make magic and change lives for as long as he teaches. I nominate Mr. Hoffman because any teacher can teach a student how to play an instrument or how to sing, but only a special few can teach them to love it. He’s one of those special few.

All four years of my high school career I’ve had Mr. Hoffman as a teacher. He is amazingly talented, an excellent teacher and also has the biggest, kindest heart in the world. Mr. Hoffman takes his time to get to know each and every one of his students personally and I think that’s my favorite part about him. Not only is he a teacher but he’s a friend, someone to confide in whenever you need it. Aside from Mr. Hoffman’s great character he truly is all about the music. Whether we sound good or not so good on a song he’s always optimistic and really takes his time to help us learn it. He is so passionate about our choirs at school and during every concert you can tell just how much of everything he has he puts into his work; the concerts for him usually end in sweat stained shirts, a red face and happy tears. It’s also worth to mention that Eric Whitacre is his favorite composer of all time.

He’s given me and all my classmates more confidence in music and an escape from the stress of high school. He’s incredibly dedicated to his work and the joy he feels when teaching his students is apparent every class. Somehow he makes even secondary dominants seem interesting, and he gets really excited over even the driest parts of music theory. If anyone deserves to get this award, it’s Hoff.

He is incredibly invested in making his students successful, both in chorus and in general. He is honestly one of the most patient people I have ever met, and always focused on the positive. He loves what he does, and this passion inspires his students to take pride in what they do as well.

It was a privilege learning and performing with Hoffman throughout all four years of my high school choir experience. An educator with a true talent and passion for music. Not only does he care about each one of his students, but always makes sure they are in the best possible condition to make music; whether it be going over voice parts or being a friend on a bad day. I never doubted my importance in the ensemble. Hoffman encouraged us to find our voices because they matter. He gave everyone a chance to do a solo, offered smaller group meetings to go over specifics about material, and consistently shared lunch hours or stayed longer after school. His students were able to appreciate the real value of music, which not everyone in today’s school system prioritize at all. Through planning and attending concerts and events, I have seen the joy that his choirs fill the room with. He establishes a sense of community within his classes that spread everywhere they go. He loves Eric Whitacre.

Mr.Hoffman is the best teacher anyone could ask for. He is a kind, helpful and generous person not only in school but also for the community. Having the chance to work with him is one of the greatest things I’ve ever had in my life because he supports you and helps you accomplish your goals. He is a big inspiration to me and makes me want to be better singer and student throughout the school and community.He is very talented and is dedicated to help his students see there talent, gives us confidence and helps us build on our abilities to make our voices shine. Just by being in his class you feel safe and at home and I’m always glad to be their and want to stay their. Everyday I learn something new with him as he goes above and beyond and helped us be who we are now. Overall he is an incredible teacher who has helped me so much in my life, and who I love working with. I believe he really deserves to be nominated as teacher of the week as he has had a huge impact on all of us.

Great teacher, as well as an inspiration.

Mr. Hoffman is the best teacher at Albany high. He always welcomes everyone with open arms and he is the most caring and kind teacher at this school.

Mr. Hoffman is an example of an amazing teacher and even better human being. He lovingly manages to always put his students first- and it shows. He always has food for us, he asks us how we’re doing before class, and more. He genuinely cares about us and loves his students so much. And along with how caring he is, his teaching abilities are unmatched. He creates an engaging, beneficial class for us that we enjoy as well as learn. He makes sure we are always number one priority in every aspect, and in return we all love him so much.

Hoff always puts his students first and has amazing patience. His vocal range is also great and he does everything he can for his students.

Mr. Hoffman creates a safe and welcoming environment for all. He comforts students during difficult times without hesitation. In a large school where it is easy to be invisible, he has an impressive ability to make each student feel valued. It is as evident now as it was a decade ago. With limited resources, and even more limited time, he consistently presents high-level performances. He sacrifices late nights to make arrangements for gigs on painfully short notice and gives up lunch/prep time to help students. He consistently achieves glowing marks at NYSSMA majors & NYSSMA Solo Evaluation Festivals. CSDA is so fortunate to have him.

A beautiful human being, you can never catch him in a down moment, he takes time to make sure all his students are able to make a connection with him that he is not only an educator but when you leave his class and walk across the stage that you can call him your friend. He is so involved and is an amazing teacher he can transform something that was just a hobby into something that could lead to a career, he lights a fire in all of his students eyes to strive to their musical potential, he is just a wonderful person who can light a room up with an awfully corny joke or an embarrassing story about his kids, he works so hard for our school with Nyssma, and each individual solo and over 50 performances he conducts a year between all his choirs and amazing college level theory teacher and endlessly more working with tri-M and theater, giving up countless lunches and after school time to help each of his students, the world wouldn’t be so sweet if he didn’t make us sight read like he does!!

If you speak to anyone who has ever known Hoff, they will tell you he is the most passionate human being they’ve met. In high school, I started singing my junior year after being so nervous to even sing in a choir setting, let alone solo. Because of Hoff, I became so much more confident, not just in my voice, but as a human being. He taught me to break out of my shell and to take chances because you never know what will happen. Because of Hoff, I had someone to lean on when my mental illnesses were affecting me. He doesn’t just care about you becoming a better vocalist; he cares about sending you off into the world a better person than you were when you walked into his classroom. Without him, I wouldn’t have made it through high school, and wouldn’t have chosen a path in music education at the College of Saint Rose. He is the best person I’ve ever known and could never thank him enough for all he did for me. He deserves this honor.

Going to Hoff’s class was the one thing I looked forward to during all 4 years of high school. He created an environment where everyone was accepted no matter who they were & at any level of musical knowledge. I know he sees true potential in any student he comes across as he has one of the biggest hearts I’ve come by in a teacher. He’s very genuine & that hasn’t changed one bit. He still gets excited when he sees students that have past graduated & that just warms my heart. The school has changed since I left a few years ago but the choir room always (& still) felt like home.

Mr Hoffman is one of the most caring people I know. Not only did he inspire me in the classroom, but outside as well. He genuinely cares for all of his students, and you can tell how much he loves them and his work. I had the most fun with him in select choir, where we learned a whole array of music. He’s never given up on me or any one of his students and I’m so grateful I had him as my choir teacher in high school.

Going to Hoff’s class was the one thing I looked forward to during all 4 years of high school. He created an environment where everyone was accepted no matter who they were & at any level of musical knowledge. I know he sees true potential in any student he comes across as he has one of the biggest hearts I’ve come by in a teacher. He’s very genuine & that hasn’t he changed one bit. He still gets excited when he sees students that have past graduated & that just warms my heart. The school has changed since I left a few years ago but the choir room always (& still) felt like home.

Britlin Lee Furst

Britlin is by far the most wonderful and kind vocal coach a person could ask for. She is talented, considerate, and most importantly really knowledgeable on the subject she teaches. She’s just amazing.

Britlin makes every lesson fun. She is always prepared and goes above and beyond when figuring out how to have her students get the best results.

Mr. Brian Stevenson

Mr. Stevenson is the choral director at Plainfield High School, CT. Day after day his students learn not only how to be better musicians, but better people. I can happily say that thanks to Mr. Stevenson I want to work in a school just like him. I am going to be a senior in the fall, and I can assure you that these past few years with Mr. Stevenson have shaped me into the person I am today. He is extremely selfless and humble, a teacher for all of the right reasons! When I entered high school I had absolutely no confidence in myself, but because of him I am able to tackle more challenges than I ever thought I would be able to. Mr. Stevenson genuinely cares about every single student, so he will always be my teacher of the week, every single week.

He has been changing kids lives with music since he first started at Plainfield High School. He touches the hearts of every kid he teaches. He is an amazing choir director and is loved by many.

Stevenson is great not only because he’s a great teacher but because he unconditionally cares about his students. He cares and loves us all deeply as much as we love him. He’s an amazing role model and father figure. He knows when to get us into better moods with his incredible humor, he’s always there for us and we all know it. Every one loves being around him and being in his class.

Sean Hurley

Sean Hurley is a middle school choral director. Sean has posted us (8th grade choir) singing Eric Whitacre’s The Seal Lullaby on YouTube. Eric responded with: thank you for bringing this piece to life. Sean goes out of his way to make his choirs sound great. Sean also cares deeply about every individual student. He teaches out life lessons. Sean teachers for that choir, he teaches us how to be a human.

Angie Phillips

I’m a rising sophomore at Cedar Ridge High School, NC. In middle school, we didn’t have the best choir program. When I got to high school, I auditioned for choir and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Ms. Phillips has made me fall in love with choir. She loves what she does and she puts so much effort into our choir program, despite the county only giving the choir program $350 per year. Ms. P changes the lives of every student in her program, and I honestly can’t say enough about her. She doesn’t get enough recognition for how amazing she is. Ms. Phillips is hard-working, and also acts as her students’ stand-up comedian and therapist. Again, I honestly can’t say enough about Ms. Phillips. She has pretty much changed my life, and I’m sure all of her other students would say the same. She manages to teach us not only about music, but about every other part of life. I would not be the person I am now without Ms. Phillips.

Mr. Brent Whitaker

Mr. Whitaker is one of those people that believes that teaching a subject is not just teaching the subject. He would teach us music, but foremost, he taught us about life and how music enforces the lessons we learn in life. Things like discipline, focus, hard work, dedication, active listening, and many more things shaped our choir to become one of the best in the state! I believe that if it weren’t for what Mr. Whitaker taught us, I might have become someone with a lacking in core values as a person. I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I wouldn’t have the opportunities that I do because I followed his example! He is truly one of a kind!

Ernest Brusubardis

Mr. Brusubardis somehow manages to teach his students about every aspect of life through choir. He is compassionate, understanding, wise beyond measure, and always saying things which inspire, instruct, and stick with you long after graduation. Many a student (including me) will recall being told by Mr. B before a concert that “you can’t make beautiful music until you have a beautiful heart.” We awaited the moment as we sang when he would give us a look as if to say ‘yes, yes there it is. That is beauty.’ Mr. B is a treasure among teachers, and anyone who has had the privilege of working with him is beyond blessed. He is a role model for those who need one, a class act in his customary blazer, and a trove of endless life advise. His love for his students is visible to all who may walk into his classroom. Many people wouldn’t be who they are today without him, and I truly doubt he could ever receive enough recognition to amount to what he has done for all of us.

Brittany Smith

This teacher has given everything to her students. She singlehandedly creates an environment where student love and support each other rather than compete against each other, a task nearly impossible in such a naturally competitive setting as music; not only does she keep this environment thriving but she somehow also keeps an incredibly mature quality of sound. To create talented singer and people under the mindset that they do not have to beat anyone else is truly a task I have not seen in other directors. She constantly encourages students to make mistakes in order to learn. She is kind and giving to every student that crosses her path even when not given the same respect. She makes it a priority to her to understand her students and give us music that we can make life long connections with. She gives every student equal opportunity and care to succeed and grow, even if the student is unwilling. She will follow students to the end and even after graduation and inspires them still.

Brian Von Glahn

VG has made such an impact on not only my choir life, but my artistic pursuits. He was my choir director for four years pushing me to go above and beyond, always believing in me. I was able to have a creative outlet anytime I was in his room. If I was having a rough day, he would make me smile and laugh until I was on the ground giggling. He never lost hope in what I was planning in doing in my future and still allows me to help out majorly with the choral program even after graduation. One of the most memorable quotes that I will forever remember K.I.S.S. I am thankful for everything I learned from him and his dedication towards the schools choral and music programs.

Beth St. John and Christy Shinn

Mrs. St. John and Mrs. Shinn, or Saint and Shinn as we students so lovingly refer to them, are sisters and choral directors at Jackson High School in Jackson, MO. They were my choral directors and the sole contributors to my love for choral music. They pour their hearts and souls into teaching their students not only how to sing and perform, but how to love, live, and give it all you have. They spend countless hours practicing, preparing, writing, and teaching in order to put on productions and performances that give their students a sense of pride. They go above and beyond to form a personal bond with each one of their students, supporting them unconditionally in times of sorrow and great joy. They never forget a face and make a room full of 80+ students feel like family. I cannot think of two people more deserving than they are!

Wayne Lackman

Wayne Lackman, beloved director of Gig Harbor High School’s choirs for 30 years, is retiring this year. Of course, he is an exceptional conductor, and has built a highly respected high school choir. More importantly, his infectious enthusiasm, sense of humor, and genuine compassion for each student, set the tone for the wonderful community that is our choir department. He will be sorely missed.

He is a fantastic director who has changed the lives of many students he had taught. He is retiring this year after 30 years of directing and he really deserves and award like this for his service to the musical arts.

Mr. Lackman is the most passionate and caring teacher I have ever had the privilege of being in class with. He is the reason many students attend school on a daily basis because his class brightens everyone’s day. After 30 years of teaching at one high school plus many more at other schools, Mr. Lackman told us he was retiring. After the initial sadness, we were able to secretly rehearse two songs for him at his very last choir concert, where he was able to direct every student he’d ever taught for the very last time. Lackman has changed so many people’s lives, and continues to support and encourage us every day. I am so thankful to have been apart of Mr. Lackman’s choir department, he has greatly impacted the way I see the world for the better.

Mr. John Popke

John Popke has spent only 5 years so far at his current position of director of choirs at Kimberly High School, and yet in those years he has dedicated his life to strengthening the choral programs of Kimberly Area School District by integrating all levels of choir, Elementary to High School, into collaborative concerts at least once a year. Giving young singers the opportunity to interact with more developed students that they look up to. I cannot think of a man more deserving considering he was such a fan that he helped us go to New York and perform with Mr. Whitacre in Carnegie hall, performing many pieces and having the experience of a lifetime.

Mr. Matthew Wanner

I will never be able to forget Mr. Wanner. When I first I met him, I knew he was something special. There is no teacher more passionate about choir, connecting with people, and creating beautiful emotions with music than Mr. Wanner. He believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. In our choir, he believes in all of us, and he cares about all of our individual lives. He teaches us not only how to make music, but how to love. How to grow, how to forgive, how to experience, how to live. He gives us not only a creative outlet, but a true home within the walls of our high school. He is passionate, driven, and dedicated; more importantly, he is kind, loving, caring, encouraging, and humble. He is the type of musician I want to be; the type of person I want to be. He is a role model, and yet he also is extremely approachable and relatable. He created something wonderful at my high school, and I will forever look up to him, both as a music educator and as a person.

He is the most thoughtful and wonderful teacher there is. He cares so much about music but cares so much more for his students. No one can ever top how amazing of a choral director he is because of how inspiring he is to all of us.

Mr. Wanner puts his heart and soul into our music program. I’ve never met anyone more dedicated and passionate about their job. He spreads his enjoyment of music on to everyone; his love for music is contagious.

Mr. Wanner is not only an amazing choir teacher, but he is also an outstanding role model to his students. He teaches them important life lessons and never fails to live up to them himself. He has taught me personally what the meaning of choir is. He touches the hearts and souls of his students with his kind and encouraging words every single day. He works hard to make us the amazing choir that we are and he works hard every day. He does not look at choir direct as a job; he sees at as a passion. Mr. Wanner is the most passionate man I have ever met and he has made me a better person and a better singer because of how passionate he is about music. He has created a safe-place for all of his students and we all know that if we ever need help with something we can count on Mr. Wanner to be there for us. He is a passionate conductor and an even more amazing role model.

I nominate Matthew Wanner because he is such an inspiration to all of his students. In choir, he always pushes us to do our best, and he never settles for good. It needs to be great. He not only teaches us how to sing and perform better, but he teaches us how to be better humans. We learn how to feel emotions and what to do with them. He makes everyone he meets a better person.

He has many wcda performances and had his chorale group perform there this year (I am a member)

Mr. Wanner puts his all into every single class. From simple dynamics to making everyone feel the music, he never fails to make every song worth it. Mr. Wanner deserves this award for his constant integrity and passion. I have never met a man who has been more admired for his work.

I’ve only known him for a short time now, but I can tell these next few years are going to be exciting. I’ve already learned such about myself and music in this one short year that it’s crazy. It really seems impossible, and I couldn’t have done it without him. As a teacher, he is helping me reach my full potential, and as a friend, he’s showing me how much more there is to life. P.S. Mr. Whitacre, if you see this, I really love your song Cloudburst.

Mr. Wanner has been more than just a choir director to me. He has been a safe place, a guardian, and a trusted adult role model who I will strive to be like forever. His class is more than just a choir class, and he makes each and every day special by making beautiful music together and by giving us important life lessons along the way. He personally makes each and every one of the members in choir feel as if they are welcome, and they belong in choir. Something that makes Mr. Wanner special is that instead of being the “teacher” and we are the “students”, we are family and we are all making art together as a unit. He picks repertoire that he knows will push us and challenge us, and it has made me grow in my maturity and work ethic as a student, and also in my heart and mind. Mr. Wanner is a teacher like no other. To say that I am forever grateful for what he has done for all of us does not even begin to cover how much I appreciate him.

Mr. Wanner is a very hardworking teacher who challenges his students to go above and beyond to give their all into everything they do. He is an incredibly inspiring director who wants the best for each and every one of his students.

He is an incredibly passionate and talented teacher who helps so many students every day to achieve their dreams of being better singers and musicians. Personally, his kind words have helped me get through some rougher times this year, and I can’t thank him enough.

Mr. Wanner, where to begin. He is the motivation for so many people including myself to attend school and our choir department. He is the bright face we are dying to see everyday when we come to choir class. He shares some sort of motivational tidbit with us everyday. Whether its a reference to a previous choir, or his experiences with college choir or a voltron reference, or his highs/lows with his kids, he has a way to touch everyone around him in a personal way and shapes them into the best person they can be. As many people struggle with, often our choir has trouble staying on our circuit of productivity, he always finds a way to loop us back in and helps us work better than we ever knew we could. I personally never had a strong tie to music in middle school (it was just an easy A) but as I began my high school career, I realized what choir really meant to me and this was great due in part to Mr Wanner. Had he never been our choir teacher, many men and woman over his 20 year career.

This teacher is a uniting force within our choir, music department, school, and community. His constant yearning for success pushes us to succeed as well. Our choir, due to the work that Mr. Wanner has so painstakingly performed, earned the MHS Chorale a spot at the WCDA (Wisconsin Chorale Director’s Association), which at one point he was the president of. His constant personability and respect and investment in each individual musician and artist create something you can not experience anywhere else but the choir room of Muskego High School during 6th hour. He deserves praise and recognition for the immense amount of dedication to his craft that he possesses. I urge you to nominate Mr. Wanner as your Teacher of the Week, even though we do not think of him as a teacher. He is to us closer to a mentor, a guide on the path of life, a force of wisdom, a humble yet talented musician who has profoundly changed the lives of hundreds of musicians.

Where to begin—Mr. Wanner’s influence extends beyond the classroom. Besides being an outstanding choral director and musical director, he is an excellent human. His passion for music greatly impacts those around him, and the top choir refers to him as a father figure who they love. He is a safe person for anyone to go to about anything, whether it be musical or personal. He is an excellent candidate for Teacher of the Week.

When thinking about someone who has made an extremely positive impact on my life in multiple ways, Mr. Wanner immediately comes to mind. I can’t think of someone with more devotion, passion, and dedication to influencing the lives of children through his love for music. Mr. Wanner cares immensely for every single one of his students and will work hard to make sure each child is successful. He clearly loves the work he does and it shows through in every aspect of his teaching and directing. The Family he has created in the MHS music department is one that I will never forget. He creates a safe space for all students to use and create in as well as a space where they feel like they are accepted and loved. He pushes each and everyone one of us to do our best and encourages us to always push through challenges we are presented with. Mr. Wanner has made a tremendous impact on my life and others at my school. I can’t think of someone more deserving or qualified for Teacher of the Week.

I am nominating my choir teacher Mr. Wanner for his outstanding chorale direction and overall passion for his students and the music. Mr. Wanner has been my choir teacher for the past four years. He has inspired me as well as many others with his ability to make us connect and embody each piece of music we perform. His adeptness and attentiveness to music history and relativity to current events allows me to grow as a human and choir student at the same time. He has enriched me with knowledge on how to make the world a better place through performing and singing. Throughout the past four years, choir has been my favorite class because of his dedication to our choir. He has given our choir multiple opportunities like getting to perform in New York city, performing at WCDA (Wisconsin Choral Directors Association), performing at college showcases, and even getting to meet with you at Milwaukee’s Basilica. After everything he has done, I believe he is a well deserving candidate.

Mr. Wanner is one of the best teachers I have ever worked with. He is an exceptional choral and musical director. Mr. Wanner truly puts every single one of his students first, and he is one of the most dedicated teacher in the school. As a teacher, he not only teaches us the notes on the page or the words to sing. He dives into the music and makes connections with every single student. He teaches us the true meaning of music, and how to express it with real emotions. Not only does he teach us music, but he teaches us valuable life skills. He cares so much about every single kid who walks through his door, and he makes a home for all of us. He has turned that simple little choir room into a safe haven for every single choir student in our school, and I am forever grateful for that. I have only worked with Mr. Wanner for a short period of time, but I already know just how much I will grow as a person and as a musician with him as my teacher.

I’m nominating Mr. Wanner because he’s one of the most amazing people I know. He’s not just a choir director, he’s a mentor, a father figure, an idol. He doesn’t just have us sing, he has us understand the music. He doesn’t just tell us what the words mean, he asks us what WE think they mean. In choir, we envision what the music is saying so that we not only sing it, but we feel it also. Not only is he a great choir director, but a great person in general. Our choir year has been filled with words of wisdom from him, and he constantly strives to make us better people in life. If anyone deserves this award, I believe it’s him. He’s a bright light in every one of his student’s life.

From the moment you first meet Mr. Wanner, you know there’s something different about him. The care and passion he has for self-expression is evident every day, and it rubs off on every single one of his students. Mr. Wanner does much more than teach music, he teaches his students how to feel and express emotion, how to lift others up, how to be an agent for change in the world. For me and so many other students, current and former, Mr. Wanner is a bright and welcoming light in an otherwise dark and hostile world.

From the moment you first meet Mr. Wanner, you know there’s something different about him. The care and passion he has for self-expression is evident every day, and it rubs off on every single one of his students. Mr. Wanner does much more than teach music, he teaches his students how to feel and express emotion, how to lift others up, how to be an agent for change in the world. For me and so many other students, current and former, Mr. Wanner is a bright and welcoming light in an otherwise dark and hostile world.

Mr. Wanner teaches so much more than music. He teaches his students to be thoughtful, considerate, and passionate. He makes an effort to connect with each student on an impactful level. He has been a director for many years, leading many groups to perform at WCDA, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and countless other places. As one of his students, I can say that Mr. Wanner is the most influential man in my life and I would not be where I am today without him. He inspires me with his talent, leadership, and strength every day. It is very clear that music has impacted his life in the best way possible and he gives students the opportunity to connect with the music the same way he does. The music program at Muskego High School has and will continue to succeed due to Mr. Wanner. I cannot emphasize my admiration, respect, and appreciation for him enough.

He has made a huge impact on my music career so far and is just a great mentor. He really cares about his students as if they were his own children and he is always there for anyone.

Cynthia Douglass

She showed me that there is a good side to life. I was a Hurricane Harvey victim and she turned me into a survivor. Through music, she helped me cope with all of the stresses and challenges that storm brought. She didn’t just teach music. She saved a life. I will never forget her reasoning behind choosing “Glow”. “People need a happy reason to cry sometimes”. If you don’t accept her I understand just know that there are people that probably wouldn’t be alive today if she didn’t care as much as she has.

Frank Wells

Frank is retiring after 34 years at Cambridge-Isanti High School (and a few more before that in North Dakota). Frank touched thousands of lives. Sure, his choirs were often phenomenal…being chosen to sing at MMEA on more than one occasion…but I’m nominating Frank because of the quiet impact he had on students on the daily. Frank taught music, but he taught children first. His medium was music. Whenever a national disaster occurred and kids would ask, “What are we going to do,” Frank would reply, “Just sing.” Not because they were a choir and that’s what choirs do, but because singing is healing. There are so many directors who are consistently in the limelight, deservedly so, receiving recognition for great achievements with their programs. Frank preferred a quieter approach, using the language of music to help young humans along their journey. He represents all the outstanding directors whose names you’ll never hear who teach the world through the universal language of music.

Sean Hurley

Mr. Hurley is not only an amazing choir teacher, but is also an outstanding role model to his students. He teaches them important life lessons to live by and also the deeper meaning of a piece of music. The amount of effort Mr. Hurley puts into his teaching for all of his choirs is inspiring. He is a trustworthy teacher that any student can go to for any problem whether it be at school or at home, Mr. Hurley will find the time to find you help. Mr. Hurley has given each of his students at least some amount of confidence in their singing and in themselves. He has also provided a safe-space no other classroom could achieve. Mr. Hurley has also given a majority of his students a passion in their lives. He has high expectations for all of his middle school choirs, but it all works out in the end because our overall choral sound gives the audience goosebumps. Overall, Mr. Hurley deserves to be teach of the week because of how dedicated he is towards his job and his students.

Joe Murphy

Mr. Joseph Murphy should be nominated for teacher of the week. He is a great teacher and just this week he helped with 4 concerts and a school play, in which he played the prominent role of the janitor. He always has his students’ back and is always helpful and fun. He had made music a part of hundreds of children’s lives. Every single one of his students would say that he deserves this award more than anyone else.

Dayne Newberry

Dayne is a wonderful, kind, and selfless person that would do anything for anyone, especially his students. He is a member of multiple professional choirs, and is a director of four high school choirs. The first day he walked into his new job at his current high school, he brought a new meaning to choir, music, and performing. He has given us several new opportunities as singers, and as his students, we look up to him. He is such an inspiration to everybody he meets, and is always finding a way to brighten someone’s day. He encourages us to find a personal connection or meaning to the music we are performing to make it captivating for the audience, and ourselves. He supports everyone, and is always willing to help anybody. He always goes above and beyond his duties as a director and helps his students in other school subjects and even life. He is so greatly appreciated by every one of his students, coworkers, and everyone he meets and a simple “thank you” will never be enough.

Mr. Newberry is one of the most dedicated teachers I have ever met. He has taught choir with such an unparalleled energy. He encourages his students to do their best everyday, maintains a good relationship with other staff and teachers, and introduces his pupils to new opportunities. This year, he applied to perform at IMEC, a performance at All-State ILMEA in front of professional faculty from all over the state. We performed a mass with the orchestra at the school. We have been given the most fantastic opportunities and he has taken us through it all with energy and grace.

MaryAnn Brilleslyper

Dr.B is one of the strongest people I know. After being diagnosed with cancer, she still made her students her priority. Less than a week after having chemo therapy, she ranked all superior in competition. She is amazingly talented and one of the best directors I have ever worked with. She shaped me into the musician I am today but did it with love and support.