Westside's choral music program strives to discover and develop the talents God has distributed in the body of Christ and then offer them back up to Him as an act of worship. Here students are trained in sight singing, music theory, vocal production, stage presence, and various styles of musical literature, including praise and worship.
CLASS OFFERING
There is a place in Westside's choral program for all interested students. Classes include:
Concert Choir: In spring each year, freshmen-juniors can tryout for placement in the Concert Choir for the following year.
Small Ensembles: Out of the Concert Choir students will be selected for the female small ensemble Les Filles de Dieu (God's girls) and the male small ensemble RMS (Real Men Sing). Students also have the opportunity at the end of the school year to tryout for the varsity ensemble Soli Deo Gloria for the upcoming year. This varsity group has an annual tour singing around Portland through the holiday season.
Worship Class: In the fall of 2005 Westside began offering a worship class. In this class students discuss the role of worship in the life of the believer and develop skills that aid students in leading the body of Christ in corporate worship. These students serve the student body by providing musical leadership during the weekly chapels.
COMPETITION, RETREATS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Each year the Concert Choir competes in a choral competition to qualify for the state choral competition. They also participate in two retreats per school year. Soli Deo Gloria joins the choir for both the competitions and retreats.
Westside's choir has qualified to compete in the OSAA State Choral Competition for the past ten years during which they earned first in State four times. They ranked high in the West Valley League between 1998 and 2006 before joing OSAA Competitions.
By invitation only, the choir has participated in the National Festival of the States in Washington D.C. and at Carnegie Hall in Spring 2006 and Spring 2008. They have also performed at the National Cathedral, the Russell Senate Building, and many other venues.The goals for the Westside Concert Choir are to:
* Glorify God
* Sing with excellence
* Show the love of Christ
As students apply these goals, their lives are enriched and transformed.