New Choir Director announced

Surrounded+by+assistant+choir+director+Chris+Mason+and+the+choir+council%2C+newly+named+Choir+Director+Cathy+Koziatek+waves+to+the+camera.+

Courtesy of choir council

Surrounded by assistant choir director Chris Mason and the choir council, newly named Choir Director Cathy Koziatek waves to the camera.

Jillian Sander, Editor-in-chief

Cathy Koziatek, current Sloan Creek Intermediate School choir director, has been named the successor to former head choir director Bethany Stuard starting with the 2015-16 school year. Stuard announced her resignation last month.

“With over 13 years experience teaching at Plano West Senior High School and two years at SCIS, Koziatek brings supreme musicianship, extensive experience in high school teaching, and an exuberant leopard spirit to the high school team,” assistant choir director Chris Mason said in an email to all choir students and parents Wednesday.

Koziatek introduced herself to the JV mixed choir, varsity choir and the choir council on Wednesday and talked about her excitement and hopes for the job.

“I am looking forward to working to make this great for you,” Koziatek said to the JV choir. “I’m not Mrs. Stuard, but I promise that I will do my best for you and teach you, I don’t have any children, I have a dog, but I will treat you how I would treat my children if I had children.”

Koziatek also discussed her philosophy as a choir director

“We are going to get to spend a lot of time together, and Mr. Mason and I are going to make it great for you,” Koziatek said. “I have always tried to have an open door policy, and so I have always wanted that if there is something you want to say then tell me, and always tell me anything that’s bothering you, if you don’t like something in class or have questions over something I said. You are welcome to tell me.”

Students who were in All-Region in the fall had the chance to already work with Koziatek, and look forward to working with her daily.

“I’m so excited that Ms. Koziatek is coming to the high school,” 2015-2016 choir president and current sophomore Rachel Bradley said. “Mrs. Stuard has certainly left big shoes to fill, but I have confidence that Koziatek will do an amazing job as well; I’ve worked with her before on region music, and I can honestly say she is one of the sweetest women I have ever met. I think Ms. Koziatek will be a fantastic new addition to our choir program.”

Koziatek will be in the choir room at 8:15 a.m. on Friday to talk to the current junior class about their vision for the coming school year while also assuring students that many things will remain the same.

“We are going to keep all the same choirs and traditions, and pop show of course, and all the fun activities outside of the school day,” Mason said. “And we will still have my smiling terrible jokes every day.”