ABOUT

A Tradition of Excellence
Founded in 1962, the award-winning West High Choirs have an outstanding choral legacy in the South Bay and a commitment to providing students with an excellent experience in high school music. We are dedicated to inspiring all students to be the best learners, individuals, and musicians that they can be. It is a high level of commitment and expectation, but we believe it is worth every bit of contribution. Our singers have gone on to become music teachers, professinal musicians, musical composers, Disneyland performers, cruise-ship performers, and touring musical theatre actors.
We offer choirs for beginning students learning to sing and advanced musicians. No matter what your passions are, the West High Choirs are the place for YOU! Join us and discover your talents, make life-changing memories, meet new friends, and share beautiful music.
Benefits
Valuable Resources
- Vocal coaching
- Music theory and sight-reading practice
- Music history lessons
Countless Opportunities
- Apply for leadership positions within the choir program
- Compete with other choirs
- Learn from various choral professionals
- Participate in regional and state honor choirs
- Go on exciting trips to festivals and competitions
- Showcase your individual talents
Skills & Experience
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Public speaking

Hear from Alumni
"Choir is normally such a special part of my day, where I get to forget about all my other classes and stress and just sing with the people I'm blessed to call my family. Choosing to be in choir was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It has altered my life in the best way possible."
– Emily Hackett c/o 2020
"Choir is a safe space where everyone is accepted and loved and can work together to create amazing music. No two performances are ever exactly alike. In between performances, we support each other and work to improve constantly. I've met my best friends through the program. I know if I ever need help they've got my back and that I'd do the same for them."
– Noel Drouillet c/o 2020
"Choir is a place where you can be yourself, relax a little bit from all your other rigorous classes, and just be one big family. Everyone is so kind to each other and it's a very positive place."
– Madeline Brown c/o 2021

Concert Choir
Concert Choir is a non-auditioned beginning/intermediate choir open for grades 9-12.
Singers focus mainly on SAB/SATB literature from all periods of music. They develop advanced vocal and musicianship skills and receive sight-reading and music history training. Concert Choir performs at all school concerts, competitions, local festivals, and annual tours.

Aria
Aria is an auditioned advanced women's choir for grades 9-12.
Singers focus on SSA/SSAA literature from all periods of music. They develop advanced vocal and musicianship skills and receive sight-reading and music history training. Aria performs at all school concerts, competitions, local festivals, and annual tours.

Aristocracy
Aristocracy is an auditioned advanced mixed choir for grades 9-12.
Singers are expected to be the top musicians at West while continuing to develop advanced vocal and musicianship skills. They study and perform advanced literature for mixed ensembles with an emphasis on chamber choir music from all periods of history. Aristocracy performs at all school concerts, competitions, SCVA honor choir, local festivals, community events, annual tours, and school events.

Director
Mr. Bryan Dowdle
Mr. Dowdle has been a part of the music scene for more than 30 years as a student, singer, director, composer, arranger, and adjudicator. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix.
Mr. Dowdle’s first experience with music was in his mother’s church choir singing with the members in the seats and listening for his mother in the choir. As a youth, he enrolled in the elementary school choir, then Beginning and Advanced choir in middle school. Next, was high school joining Men’s Choir, then in his senior year joined Advanced Ensemble where he had the honor of being a part of the All-State Honor Choir in 1991.
In college, Mr. Dowdle was part of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, University Concert Choir and went up the ranks as a member, to section leader, then President. He was eventually asked to join Cal Poly’s renowned Chamber Singers where they performed Carmina Burana, Brahms Requiem, and Mozart Requiem.
In the final years of college Mr. Dowdle started Cal Poly’s first a cappella group, The Accafellas. The ‘Fellas went on to perform the National Anthem for CLASS Graduation and received an Honorable Mention in the Los Angeles Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival. Mr. Dowdle is eager to bring his knowledge and experience to West High School and share the gift of music with the students, family, and community.
New board members are selected every Spring and are announced at the end of the year banquet.
What are board members responsible for?
- Managing our social medias
- Finding and hosting fundraisers
- Managing our funds
- Creating programs and flyers for events
- Choir birthdays
- Managing this website
- Taking photos and videos at events

Chloe Thomas
President

Hailey Shah
Vice President

Aastha Kashyap
Treasurer

Sarah Bacon
Secretary

May Marsh
Publicist

Alyssa Reamer
Co-Historian

Sophia Rabang
Co-Historian
A new student director and section leaders are selected every Spring and are announced at the end of the year banquet.
What is a Student Director responsible for?
- Hosting sectionals for additional rehearsal
- Helping their section learn music
- Providing tips/advice to their section
- Directing pieces at concerts and other performances
What are Section Leaders responsible for?
- Hosting sectionals for additional rehearsal
- Helping their section learn music
- Providing tips/advice to their section
- Keeping their section up to date and on track to meet deadlines

Keira White
Soprano Section Leader

Chloe Thomas
Alto Section Leader

Sam Valladares
Tenor Section Leader

Camilo Avalos-Villegas
Bass Section Leader