For the last 29 years, Scott Avery has raised voices as the choir director at Warsaw Community High School. At the end of this school year, he will take his final bow when he retires from the program he built up over his tenure. The reputation of the choral program has grown under his direction, and numerous awards hang in the choir room because of his leadership. “I think he’s done a great job,” said sophomore Colton Andrews, a member of the men’s beginning choir. “He’s got his own style, different from a lot of my teachers. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s more fun.” Sophomore Zach Allen said, “He’s great. He’s fun. He gets the job done and he’s got focused enthusiasm. He makes sure it’s top notch.” Allen said he’s become more confident with his singing voice because of Avery. He’s also more knowledgeable about music. “It’s been a lot of fun. He makes the atmosphere light and enjoyable, but he’s teaching us a lot and making sure we sound the best,” freshman Bailey Berelsman said. Avery is originally from Marquette, Mich. He earned his degree in music education from Northern Michigan University. He taught five years in Michigan before going to Ball State University to earn his master’s degree. While at BSU, he also was the choral assistant for two years. While in Michigan, he taught sixth- through 12th-graders, and taught English literature for eighth-graders one year. In 1985, he came to Warsaw. At that time, Avery said, the choir program wasn’t built up, so he had two classes of study hall with 125 students. “It was an adventure,” he recalled in an interview Wednesday afternoon in the choir room, sitting at the piano. When he started select chorale, it met once a week after school and had only about nine girls in it. He was able to make select chorale a formal class in its second year. Since it no longer conflicted with athletics, boys joined the class. “Now it’s the top part of our program. This year we have 24 students in select chorale and most of them are seniors because it’s very competitive to get into that,” Avery said. He also teaches beginning men’s and women’s choirs and an intermediate choir. He has taught music appreciation and a voice class in alternate years. “It allows them to fit it into their schedule at some point. If I do them every year, there may not be enough sign-up. It also opens up the choices for the kids,” Avery explained. Avery has been the performing arts department chair for at least the last 10 years. The festival choir has twice been in the top 10 in the state, and every year Avery’s students have earned gold ratings from the Indiana State School Music Association. “It’s in a good position to hand over. There’s always some good kids coming up. The standards are set high and I hope they’re kept and passed on,” Avery said. As of Thursday, no replacement for Avery has been named. Troy Akers, WCHS principal, said, “Mr. Scott Avery, choral Instructor, has been a ‘pillar’ in the field of performing arts at Warsaw Community Schools for nearly 30 years. His contributions to our school and community have been immeasurable. Our choirs have consistently ranked among the top in the state of Indiana. “As we bid farewell to Mr. Avery, I believe his greatest achievements are evidenced through his building of meaningful relationships with his students. His passion and commitment to develop every student to his or her highest potential is unparalleled. Mr. Avery leaves his position with very large shoes to fill. We wish him nothing but the very best as he approaches this new chapter in his life.” Every three years, Avery takes his students to New York City to perform in a cathedral and do a little sightseeing. In the last 15 years, Avery said he’s gone with his students five times. He and his last batch of students just returned two weeks ago from New York, where they performed in St. John the Divine Cathedral. “It’s mammoth. The Statue of Liberty would fit under its dome,” Avery said. There are many things he admits have made him proud, but nothing more so than his students. “When we were in the top 10 in the state, that was very exciting. I feel proud of the students’ achievement. Each year you see kids surpass what they thought they could do. They excel. They get more confidence. I see individual victories all the time,” he said. “I have my students all four years so I get to see how they’ve grown and it’s a neat part of the job.” It was also very satisfying for him to be involved with requesting the Performing Arts Center be added to the high school. “We had to sell it to the board. I’m proud of the facility. It’s really excellent and used all the time. We can’t believe how much this facility is used,” he said. A gala for the opening of the WCHS PAC was held Sept. 16, 2006, with a dedication ceremony scheduled for it the following day. Before the PAC was built, the high school held performances in the Lakeview Middle School auditorium. Lakeview was formerly Warsaw’s high school. “I’m proud of the legacy I’ve been a part of. It’s raised the level of performing arts for Warsaw. There are things we can do with kids here we couldn’t do at Lakeview Middle School. It’s really wonderful. It’s a nice way to finish up, being in this facility because it serves the kids well,” Avery stated. Of course, he acknowledged he wasn’t the only teacher pushing for the PAC. “I’ve been so fortunate to work with the colleagues I’ve had – the band and theater (professionals) I’ve worked with. We’re fortunate with the level of performances we’ve had here,” he said. He said he doesn’t know if a high percentage of his students will go on to teach music, but many do continue singing, whether in college or their church choirs. He encourages them to sing all their lives. “Hopefully, we’re also creating good audience members who will appreciate what is going on because they were on stage once themselves,” he said. Though he’s retiring from teaching, Avery will continue directing two choirs at First United Methodist Church, where he’s been for 20 years. He may do some college teaching and provide private voice lessons. He’d also like to do some volunteering, saying there are some projects he wants to get done now that he’ll have the time. “It’s been very satisfying to know where the program is now. People expect the choirs to be good. The level we’re singing at is very high now,” he said. “It’s satisfying to know where we’re at and the reputation we have now. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next teacher will take them. I’ll be a good audience member.”
