The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder
The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder
The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder
Looking out into the audience, senior Jack Mullen solos “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Frank Sinatra at the annual winter choir concert on Dec. 10. Mullen volunteered to sing a solo to aid the transition between choir groups on stage. “I chose that song because I really like the crooner genre when it comes to holiday music. [That song] had all the element[s] of Michael bublé, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Also, it's a simple melody, so I did vocal gymnastics when I could and made it my own,” Mullen said.

Photo of the Week – December 13

Cindy Phung, Editor-in-Chief • December 13, 2024

During his choir’s rendition of “My Girl” by The Temptations, freshman Trent Young takes front and center for his solo. Though it was his first time performing in front of a large audience, Young is not a rookie to music. “I love singing. Growing up in church, I've been singing my whole life, so it's not really new to me and singing has always been my passion. I love pretty much all genres,” Young said.

Sing it loud: West choir shows off their talent at Singer’s Choice

Triya Gudipati and Elizabeth Franklin • March 11, 2024

Earlier in the year, chamber and concert girls stand in front of the crowd, ready to begin their show at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church. On Oct. 20, sophomore Gianna Lionelli and her fellow choir members gathered for their first concert of the year. “It's cool to perform on stage with other kids who are passionate about music because it's a way to foster creativity,” Lionelli said.

Victorious Vocals

Elle Rotter and Cindy Phung • March 15, 2023

Standing in a group patiently waiting to begin their performance, students from all grades twiddle their thumbs, warm up their voices and fidget with their hair in anticipation of their show. After the...

“[I was happiest during] this time in choir class in sixth grade. We were doing a show-and-tell on projects of our choice and I did mine on programming. It was a basic math program where it would simplify certain complex numbers like square roots. I found it really interesting that I could create and develop stuff without an existing engine, [and] it was a big accomplishment because it was the first program I've ever made. I felt like I had done something without anybody's help and therefore I had done something by myself in the world. I shared it with my class, it was not a very complex thing, so they weren't enthusiastic but they were definitely interested. It was a good moment for me. [I have been programming] for five years since then, and I like it more now than I did then. [Now,] I usually recreate old games like "Pong," "Asteroids" and other small things like that,” - Tyler Michajliczenko, 10

Tyler Michajliczenko

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief • December 21, 2022

“I say to students, music is unique in that the moment after you make the music, it instantly disappears. The only thing that remains after the music is gone is the change in people from the music-making process. We are in the business of changing people and improving people,” Parrish said.

Choir teacher Brian Parrish finishes his last year at West with a perfect score

Jordan Scales, Staff Writer • June 3, 2022

After 10 years at West, choir teacher Brian Parrish will be transferring to Clayton High School. In Parrish’s last year at West, he and the choirs achieved a perfect exemplary score at the 2021-2022...

Freshman Jack Mullen sings “Man of Constant Sorrow” at his singer's choice performance.

Freshman Jack Mullen takes on a new role as a Muny Teen

Ava Bauman, CJ1 Writer • May 30, 2022

Ten years ago, Jack Mullen started his journey as an actor. Today, as a freshman, he continues his career as a Muny Teen. Mullen started performing at the Muny six years ago, where he participated in...

Coaching through rehearsal with the Jazz Choir, Parrish looks at what he has created. Jazz choir is one of many choirs Parrish directs and choreographs here at West. "Teaching music is still a rush every time I do it. I never count the minutes, I am never bored," Parrish said.

Music teachers draw the line between force-feeding their kids music

Grace Putnam, Staff Writer • June 4, 2021

Imagine being a fly on the wall and hearing the voluminous notes choir teacher Brian Parrish plays while he is teaching his children the solfege scale on his piano, mirroring how he teaches his students...

Directing the girls Chamber Choir through their daily vocal warm ups, choir director Eric Anthony prepares the students for the day’s rehearsal. Anthony has been teaching in the music department since 2006. “I’m thankful that I’m ending my career in a school that I really like a lot,” Anthony said. “I was blessed to come to this place and am blessed to be finishing my career in a place that I feel safe and the kids feel safe. We don’t have to be the best athletes, we don’t have to be the best musicians, but we put out a good product and we’re happy with it. We know who we are.”

Choir director Eric Anthony sings “so long, farewell” to his time as an educator

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor • March 15, 2019

After 13 years of dedicated service to the music department, choir director Eric Anthony is retiring from his career as an educator. While Anthony was hired primarily as a choir director, he found...

Singing “The First Noel,” senior Malik Penton harmonizes with Concert Choir at the Winter Concert Dec. 11. Students from grades seven through 12 performed at the 50th anniversary of the Winter Concert. “Being in Concert Choir, after eight years of choir, is one of the most special experiences of life. Wherever I go, I’ll always have the memories with my friends to hold onto. When I transferred junior year to Marquette and later Saint Charles West High School, I made sure choir was on my schedule because music is something I can’t live without,” Penton said.

Photo of the week – Dec. 10

Caroline Judd, SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER • December 15, 2018

Senior Meghan Stanfield, junior Theresa Monteleone and senior Chloe Hershenow perform enthusiastically in Jazz Choir at the First Annual Music Department Showcase Concert. This is Stanfield’s second year in the ensemble. “Singing is my passion, and it’s so nice to come to class to just sing with all my friends,” Stanfield said. “It really helps me forget about all the chaos of the world.”

Showcase concert sets music department off on a strong start

Maria Newton, FEATURES EDITOR • October 8, 2018

As parents, friends and students poured into the gymnasium, they were met with the rhythmic pounding of the Marching Band. The strong metronome, meant to keep the marchers in synchronization, was captivating. This...

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