Throughout high school, I have seen talented musicians come and go, leaving their legacy behind through the solos they performed and the competitions they’ve won. But there is always someone who stands out from the rest grade and for Lake Forest, the one person who gives a face to the choir is Will Johnson.

It’s likely you’ve seen him singing at the varsity basketball games, in some of the acts or the pit band during the annual Talent Show, or even playing the trumpet at the pep rallies and Friday home football games. However, Will was not always known for his musical talent and interest in the school’s Music Department. His love for singing and place in the LFHS choir actually stemmed from his initial participation in band.

Since the fifth grade, Will has played the trumpet; but it wasn’t until eighth grade that he realized he had a passion for singing. He decided to split his time between choir and band to try something new. With no experience singing beforehand, Will joined choir where the students in his class were amazed by his talents and his ability to sing outshined the trumpet he played. The question of whether this would be a new focus in his life or a simple hobby crossed his mind but I can assure you, he made the right choice.

Now, as a prominent focus in his life, singing is something he can’t live without. He is always singing–in class, in competitions, in shows, everywhere. But most of us don’t seem bothered by his tunes. Besides the occasional “oh my gosh, stop singing” from his mother or the “alright, that’s enough” from his friends when he starts singing in public, we are used to the bold and strong sound of his voice and wouldn’t mind listening to it for hours on end.

His dedication and the time spent practicing has given his voice a trademark sound within all the music he performs. Its distinctively strong qualities shine through the tenor section but his operatic-styled voice does not alter his ability to sing music from all genres. This year in the talent show, he is singing music that is not as classical or operatic. He is taking part in a duet with junior Grace Forsage singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel and “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones with a separate band. While he is a part of the talent show pit band– playing acoustic versions of our favorite songs on the trumpet–singing is something he devotes much more time to and shows a particular interest in.

Will also has played roles in musicals and plays while also fulfilling a role in an extracurricular holiday choir called Madrigals. Will has been a part of the group for four years and had the honor to be a leader his senior year, sharing some of the most exciting and rewarding experiences with his fellow classmates. He was also titled the ILMEA senior division winner this year and was a part of the school’s honor choir program.

There is no doubt Will now has plenty of experience and coaching by different directors. Besides the All-State honor choir he was chosen to be a participant in, one of the most incredible experiences and tutelage he has received was last fall when he took part in an operetta, H.M.S. Pinafore, at Lake Forest College. The entire experience really shaped his singing career and gave him insight to the differences between voice parts where he sang baritone, a lower voice part than he is used to. But even with such an inspiring opportunity, the directors at the operetta had a much smaller impact on Will compared to Mr. Haskett, the choir director at LFHS.

Teaching for over 30 years and being a tenor like Will allows for him to be a great mentor and fantastic director. When Will was asked to share his experience on singing and what choir has offered him, he stated, “Being in choir and Madrigals for the past four years has allowed me to work with Mr. Haskett and create a relationship that has not only strengthened my position in choir [at LFHS] but also as a student and as a singer.” Mr. Haskett has helped shape Will as a musician and helps him sing to the best of his ability in choir, and when doing solo acts.

Having the privilege to know Will and being able to see what he is involved in musically is remarkable. Aside from his natural talent, his outgoing personality and title as a loud, never-stop-talking kind of guy is what sets his apart from others and only amplifies his musicality. If you see his dedication, passion for singing and talent you can understand why he’ll leave a mark at LFHS and leave his own legacy in choir.

Though Will only has about four months left as a student at LFHS, those who have spent time with him downstairs in the Music Dept.–including Mr. Haskett, Mr. Bassill, Mrs. Kessler, and Mr. O’Connor–will continue to hear his voice long after he graduates this summer.