Waterford Union High School
The Waterford High School Choirs have a tradition of excellence, having only 4 directors since 1960. Most recently, the WHS Choirs premiered Calling All Dawns, a 12-movement song cycle by two-time Grammy winning composer Christopher Tin.
Over the past 10 years, the WHS choral department has increased dramatically, boasting over 200 students participating yearly in a school of 1040. Sulla Cima the top choral ensemble on campus, and is one of five curricular choirs at Waterford. Other music department offerings include vocal jazz, madrigals, music theory, music technology, and a biannual musical theatre production.
Sulla Cima is incredibly honored to represent our school and our community at the Clearwater Choral Festival.
Derek Machan, Conductor
Kerry Hart Bieneman, Accompanist
Derek Machan, Conductor
Derek Machanhas been the Director of Choral Activities at Waterford Union High School since 2001, where he teaches 4 curricular choirs, music theory and music technology. Outside of the curricular classes, Mr. Machan directs the annual Ye Olde Englishe Christmasse Dinnyr at WHS, now entering its 28th year.
A native of Waukesha, WI, Mr. Machan earned a Bachelor's of Music Education from UW-Eau Claire, and a Masters in Music Education (Magna Cum Laude) from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He is an in-demand accompanist and adjudicator in Wisconsin and the Midwest, and has compositions published with Alliance Music Publications, Inc. As a jazz keyboardist, Mr. Machan's first professional job was with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
He is a member of the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, the International Association of Jazz Educators and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
