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4/26/2010

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16 Comments

dave willert

4/26/2010 02:13:18 pm

19 years. That's how long I taught at Nogales High School. We truly created musical magic in the Choir Department year after year. So many of those kids have gone on to Broadway, Disney, television, movies and music careers. Others are now very happily going on with their lives, but never forgetting the bond we all had together while in the Choir. I see these kids all the time on facebook. Hopefully we can all chat here as well.

Ronda Salazar

12/11/2012 03:20:25 pm

Hi Wilbert! I still remember the hat janette and I bought you at Disneyland. Those years in your choir kept me out of trouble. Thanks for the wonderful four years!

Jeff Crouch

4/30/2010 05:15:24 pm

Hi dave I so remember those days but we were intregrated by the time I joined and so glad I did. IT completly change my lif and made me the man I am today I still remember everything from those days and will till god takes me away !

dave willert

4/30/2010 05:17:54 pm

Hi Jeff,
How nice to hear from you. Those were very special years. I still have the show choir dolls of you and Mindy to remind me even more. So, are you doing anything musical these days?

troy

5/9/2010 04:14:45 pm

hi dave, I to remember the first day I came to show choir I had you for my math teacher and you had asked us to write on a sheet of paper a little bit about ourselves and I wrote that I liked music and you wrote back have you ever tried show choir and that same day I tried out and make it and from that day I hit the groud running when I think back to my high school days it always makes think of show choir and all the fun we had

Lynn

6/6/2010 12:48:40 am

I remember when you came to Nogales. I was a Junior. You brought so much energy and great ideas. We were your first Chamber Singers at this school. Which was fun. So I am happy to know that others that came after me at my almamater is doing soo well and benifating from my hard work and making a new Choir work.

Patty Marquez

6/7/2010 02:24:04 pm

Hi Mr Willert!
I am so happy to see you on FB! It has been many years since I was blessed to be a part of your choral program at Nogales. (90-93) I still get excited to see old tapes of our Chamber performances. It's like it was only yesterday! It was a such great time in my life. I will never forget it. I am also happy to see that Alex is all grown up and singing! I still have fond memories of him as a little baby :) Congratulations on your continued success and your amazing gift of touching people's lives through music. Say hello to Doug and Margaret!

Warmest Regards,
Patty.

Claudia Bennett

6/8/2010 03:07:16 pm

Hi Dave,
I started sophomore year the year you started Silhouette Singers. I guess I never properly thanked you, choir was the reason I stayed in school. I was determined to quit in my freshman year however, my mother made me a deal. The deal was that I could take any classes I wanted and if I still wanted to quit at the end of my sophomore year I could. It was choir that I went to school for. So thanks! BTW, now I have a Bachelor's of psychology and I am pursuing my master's degree.....

Brent Sanchez

6/8/2010 04:54:54 pm

Mr. Willert,
I happened to be looking for our old videos online and I stumbled upon this site. I'm so glad to see you not only touched and changed the way I see, hear, and feel the music all around me everyday. In a society and community where this kind of activities were frowned upon, you allowed me to open my eyes to a new world, and I have never looked back. The time I spent in the chamber singers from 95 - 98 was by far the best time of my young life. Choir wasn't the same after you left. Thank you for being such an important part of my life, even though it was only for a short time, I wouldn't have traded it for the world!

Mildred Fabros-Smith

6/24/2010 09:16:46 am

Mr. Willert,
What a pleasant surprise to come across your blog! I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the posts; and it is most-evident that you have made a positive impact on many students (both past and present).

Although it's been many years since I was part of the choir at Nogales (90-93), the fond memories remain deeply embedded in the forefront of my mind...like it was just yesterday.

I learned so many life lessons while being a member of Chamber Singers, Dream Street, and Silhouette: how to be a good team player, how to be a gracious winner, how NOT to be a sore loser, how to strive for excellence, and to never settle for mediocrity.

You always said, "Success finds a way, failure finds an excuse." I use this as my mantra whenever life throws me challenges. And I shall forever be grateful to you for instilling this kind of determination in me.

So in summary, thank you so much for being such an exceptional educator. Thank you for teaching me how to love music the way I do. And thank you for continuing to share your love of music to your students...the world needs more teachers like you!

Please send my regards to Doug and Margaret.

Best,
Mildred Fabros-Smith

Lilia Barragan

1/25/2011 07:49:43 am

I sooooo much loved going to choir. Especialy when I made it to "Dream Street Singers". All the skits you had us do before each song.Mr Willert, you helped find me through music.I, to this day, love to sing,dance and do carzy things, just be myself and I know it's ok. I am so proud of beeing part of the music program in Nogales High (85-1988).Now my daughter is into music and I encourage her to try out for school talent shows and everything that has to do with music. She has a great voice and loves to act. Thank you.

Kim Benton

3/20/2011 12:43:01 pm

(Not sure how to create a "new post" so guess this will show as an anonymous comment unfortunately)

Being a part of "Chamber Singers" in your first year at Nogales was (and still is) such an honor. Your enthusiam, ideas, and true love of music was contagious. For me personally, you showed & developed a true appreciation and love for music that I thank you for. You believed in me at a time when I didn't believe in myself and always encouraged; never discouraged. Your warmth, understanding, and perpetual smile made such an impact on me and still continues to brighten my day. You have touched so many people and so many lives and are such a special person.

To quote the love of my life, David Hawks, "you are one of the true angels that walk the earth." I am proud to have been touched by you in my lifetime!

Thank you, Mr. Willert :)

Teresa Cimino

5/9/2011 09:53:10 am

Hi Dave,

Like the others, I am so lucky to have had your guidance and caring during my high school years (82-85). You taught me me discipline, dedication, leadership, and the love of community. All the things I try to teach my third graders.

You made high school a fun place to be even with Saturday rehearsals, itchy sequined dresses, and long bus rides. I loved every minute of my time in Chamber Singers and Dream Street (ok, even Concert Choir). I often wish that you would create an adult version of Chamber Singers. I bet you would have alums coming out of the woodwork to participate.

The sense of community draws us to each other as you can see on Facebook. You gave us that. You gave us a safe place to find out who we wanted to be when we grew up and to shine. I thank you for that gift! I also want thank you for helping me to become the adult and teacher I am now.

Now about that adult show choir idea...

With admiration and love,
Teresa

Chrissie

6/16/2011 10:41:11 am

Dave, (Still feels weird calling you that)

Although decades have passed since I had that Chamber Singer experience, the memories never left. It was those that carried me through some of the hard times I faced after high school. During Basic Training and the loss of my mom, I'd go back to the music and memories we all shared. Your father-like care and ever-professional attitude were characteristics that resonated loud and clear with me. Your passion for music, performance and kids is still obvious and I'm so glad, in your case, that some things never change.

You've given many of us a gift we will never forget...and I am forever grateful.

Blessings to you and yours,
Chrissie (81-84)

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6/15/2012 11:12:11 am

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6/15/2012 11:15:43 am

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