West Bend, WI – It was like a class reunion combined with homecoming combined with Christmas Mass as retiring West Bend High School choir director Karen Wysocky led the largest alumni rendition of Hallelujah Chorus on stage at the Silver Lining Arts Center. The turnout of alumni almost crushed the stage. The date was December 2015.
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“She basically is this program,” Matthew Sepersky, class of 1997 said. “Karen is responsible for a life-long love of music.”
Wysocky wore an elegant black dress. She led Mixed Choir, Capriccio, Vivace! and the handbell choir through traditional holiday songs including Joy to the World, O’ Christmas Tree, and Carol of the Bells.
“I love Karen and I love the choir,” said Austin St. Peter, class of 2013. “Making music together had a huge, huge impact on me.”
In front of a packed house at the Silver Lining Arts Center, Wysocky invited alumni on stage. “This is what you’ve been waiting for,” she said. Turning to the choir which squeezed on stage, some with babies in tow, the group belted out a heartfelt rendition of Hallelujah Chorus.
It was 2015 and Wysocky was retiring after 30 years in the West Bend School District.
