Traverse City West High School Band
The Traverse City West Senior High School opened in 1998 and soon after developed a robust music program. Under the direction of Chad Mielens since 2018, the West Bands are continuously recognized across the State of Michigan for their excellence in performance. The West Band Program is made up of three curricular concert bands, the Titan Marching Band, concert bands, and jazz bands. Many students in the West Bands also participate in the choir program, perform with the West Philharmonic Orchestra and participate in the school’s theatre productions.
Mr. Mielens has overseen this thriving program that has consistently earned superior ratings and honors at festivals and events across Michigan. Students under his leadership are consistently recognized as participants in the MSBOA All-State Ensembles, the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, and collegiate honor bands. The Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2023 Michigan Music Conference, as well as the 2023 WMU Spring Conference on Wind and Percussion Music.
Mr. Mielens joined the TCAPS faculty after teaching for seven years in the West Bloomfield School District. Mr. Mielens is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. While at Eastern, he spent three years as drum major and one year as trombone section leader in the EMU Marching Band and performed in the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble and Trombone Choir.
The Traverse City West Senior High School Band will perform the following:
Flourish for Wind Band Ralph Vaughan Williams
Crosswinds March James Swearingen
The Golden Vanity arr. Douglas Wagner
Alamo Karl King
Down on the Delta Carol Brittin Chambers
The Pathfinder of Panama John Philip Sousa
