From pucks to pianos: South Salem's new choir director

Eight years ago, Will McLean, South Salem High School's new choir director, arrived at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. He was 18. He had been a star hockey player at Duluth East High School. Recruited to play at St. Olaf, he was on a prescouting list for the National Hockey League.

He had plans.

McLean would prepare for medical school while playing hockey. He would become an orthopedic surgeon and make good money. His parents, David and Jackie McLean, were supportive of his career plan. They were less enthusiastic about his other interest: singing in choir.

"The last things my parents said as they were driving me to college was, 'You know you can't just decide to be a music major now.' And I was like, 'What? Why would I do that?' As earnestly as possible I'm thinking, 'Why would I ever do that? I want to be a doctor,' " McLean said.

Music

During the first three weeks of classes, McLean began to realize the reality of his medical dreams. To become a surgeon, he'd be in school and residencies for nearly two decades. He wanted to help people in his career, but he didn't want to wait half of his life to start helping.

He'd always loved music. Teachers, like Christopher Aspaas, the associate professor of music for whom he'd auditioned, also helped people.

"All of a sudden, I went in and talked to him (Aspaas) and said, 'I made a huge mistake. I need to be a music major,' " McLean said.

He changed his major to music, with the ultimate goal of teaching. He enrolled in music theory class and scored 38 out of 150 on his first test.

"I thought, 'What did I get myself into? I can't play piano. I can't read music. I can't do any of this stuff,' " McLean said. "But a lot of hard work, a lot of long nights in practice rooms, conversations with people and going to concerts really affirmed that this is what I wanted to do. Down the road, here we are."

Excellence

"Here" is South Salem High School, directing a choir program that has won 12 Oregon Schools Activities Association Choir State Championships, more than any other school. At age 26 and in his fourth year of teaching, McLean has landed one of the prime music-education positions in the state.

Watching McLean prepare the South Salem Symphonic Choir to defend the state championship, you'd never know it was his first year. As he plays the piano, you'd never know that he made it through high school choir without learning to read music.

"It's a huge thing in my teaching," McLean said of reading music. "I felt really disadvantaged ... I don't want my students to walk out not knowing how to read music."

It's a huge thing for the OSAA competition, too. The sight-reading portion of the competition often determines the difference between a champion and a runner up.

As his students tackle a sight-reading exercise, they listen to and implement McLean's notes. They reflect his enthusiasm. While the pressure to maintain South's high level of excellence is intense, it's evident that McLean and his students find joy in the music and the challenge.

Senior Simon Staples, president of the choir, said McLean is always positive and has a smile on his face.

"One of his best qualities is he really takes into account students' ideas, thoughts and feelings for the program. He reflects on those," Staples said. "Sometimes he doesn't make the decision that we all want, but he makes the best decision for the choir."

Transition

Making tough decisions is not easy for a new director, especially when following someone as successful and revered as Carol Stenson, who retired last year. Mary Lou Boderman, the district's director of music and theater arts, is aware of the challenges and expectations McLean has been facing.

"He has a really good sense of the balance of honoring the long-standing musical traditions at South while making changes in the program when appropriate. Not everybody has that," Boderman said. "I feel very fortunate that we were able to hire him."

McLean feels fortunate, too. Stenson and her predecessor, Loren Wenz, have welcomed him. McLean has embraced their advice and expertise.

"Mrs. Stenson put the ball on the tee for me to hit it out of the park," McLean said. "The kids were ready for the change. There hasn't been much of a transition, and I credit her with that."

Junior Kaitlyn Clawson, who accompanies the choir, said, "He's made his own program, and that's something I really admire about what he's done. It doesn't feel like a transition ... We really trust Mr. McLean."\

Competition

That trust will be essential on Saturday, May 9, when the choir follows McLean to his first state competition.

"I'm confident that my students are prepared, confident and they're singing well," McLean said. "The thing they're most excited about is to share their music, their singing ... We consider it a win if we sing our best, regardless of placement. I think they're really on track to do it."

Boderman offered McLean some words of advice.

"At the end, the winning or not winning is not nearly as important as the playing of the game and the relationships that you build while you're playing," Boderman said.

Gratitude

McLean is aware of those relationships both at South and in the district.

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't think how fortunate I am to teach these students, at this school, in this community. I don't take it for granted," McLean said. "I just hope that I can continue to build upon what's already here and give back to our school and community everything they've given to me."

As for his parents and their warning to stay away from music:

"They came to watch me teach, and they were in tears," McLean said. "They were like, 'It's not even about the music. We think this is just what you were meant to do.' "

TRastrelli@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 983-6030, facebook.com/RastrelliSJ and on Twitter @RastrelliSJ

2015 OSAA 6A Choir State Championships schedule for Salem-Keizer schools

Where: Bauman Auditorium, George Fox University, 414 N Meridian St., Newberg

• When: Saturday, May 9
• West Salem High School: 2:40 p.m.
• North Salem High School: 3:20 p.m.
• Sprague High School: 3:40 p.m.
• South Salem High School: 6:20 p.m.

Schedules are subject to change. For tickets, parking and the performance schedule, go to osaa.org.

The Statesman Journal will cover the competition live. Go to StatesmanJournal.com, for a live Twitter feed. Those wishing to participate should use #OSAAmusic. The results of the OSAA Solo Music State Championships are viewable online at StatesmanJournal.com.