In the spring of 1968 our band director, Mike Smith, was introduced to the “French” horn as the instrument he would get an opportunity to play when school started in the fall of 1968. The band director interviewing Mr. Smith could not have seen so far into the future and realize this beginning band student would be offering the same opportunity to other children so many years later. Mr. Smith has continued to practice and perform on the horn (French is not used by those who play the instrument) ever since his start.
In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Smith is principal horn of the Clear Lake Symphony and has been featured as a soloist with the Houston Civic Symphony, The Galveston Symphony and as recent as 2006, he was featured as soloist once again with the Clear Lake Symphony.
The WCS Band has students as young as 5th & 6th grade when band is a required class for each intermediate student, students in middle school band, and students in high school students. This program allows students to begin playing for the first time and advances them through music of increasing difficulty as they develop their skill.
Contact Director
Mike Smith with any questions you may have about this program.
Students from three year olds through 12th grade experience music in diverse ways – from singing and playing instruments to learning basic music notation, developing choral skills, exploring composers, varied music styles and international music, and performing in varied venues.
Students 4th grade and younger are taught by Mrs. Cindy Fletcher. Field trips make learning music fun and enhance knowledge and understanding. Yearly campus performances combined with off-campus presentations give students the opportunity to showcase and share their talents. In the past, programs on campus have included patriotic and veteran’s celebrations, Christmas Around the World, chapel performances, open house presentations, PTO meetings, Rock and Roll is Here to Stay, and the annual Grandparent Breakfasts.
Older students may choose to participate in the Wildcat Harmonizers (7th and 8th grade) or the Blue & Gold Voices (9th – 12th grades) led by Jillian Hughes. These groups have performed in chorus concerts, upper school musicals, field trips to the Southwest Houston Rotary club, Nursing Homes & Retirement Facilities, and area churches.
For additional information on lower school music or chorus, please contact the appropriate director:
Lower School Music -
Mrs. Cindy Fletcher
7th – 12th grades -
Miss Jillian Hughes
Membership into a National Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a student. Westbury Christian School hosts chapters in the National Honor Society, the National Junior Honor Society, and is a charter member of the newly formed National Elementary Honor Society. These groups bring the accomplishments of outstanding students to the attention of parents, teachers, peers, and communities.
Similar to the WCS 3 Dimensional approach, these national honor societies strives to recognize the total student - the one who excels in all these areas. The standards used for selection are:
Scholarship - Demonstrated by maintaining a specified overall grade point average
Character - Demonstrated by behavior inside and outside of the classroom
Leadership and Service - Demonstrated by activities on and off campus
Membership is more than an honor. It incurs a responsibility and a continuing obligation to demonstrate the outstanding qualities that resulted in the original invitation. Membership also carries a responsibility to the local chapter.
For additional information, please contact the appropriate faculty sponsor:
National Honor Society -
Miss Casey Burton
National Junior Honor Society -
Mrs. Gracie Greer
National Elementary Honor Society -
Mrs. Annette Turner
INTERACT is a service and social club for young people, ages 14-18. The first Interact club was founded in October 1962. Today there are more than 6,000 clubs around the world, each sponsored by a Rotary club. While the Rotary club provides guidance and inspiration, the youth clubs are self-governing and self-supporting, giving members a chance to develop a range of leadership skills while leaning the value of teamwork.
There are 30 Interact clubs in the greater Houston area sponsored by 25 Rotary clubs. Interact involves approximately 2,500 students. In past years Houston area Interactors collected 11,000 school books and filled a shipping container for South Africa. They have raised nearly $4,000 for Hunger Plus, a worldwide effort to distribute freeze-dried food to areas stricken by drought. Individual clubs have raised money for local Boys & Girls Clubs, operated mentoring programs for middle school students and assisted cities with festivals.
Contact
Brenna Schwartz for more information on the Interact Club at WCS.
