W.T.White High School Principal Michelle Thompson, Choir Director Michael Parker and Dallas ISD District 1 Trustee Elizabeth Jones with the W.T. White Girls Choir.
W.T. White High School choir director Michael Parker retires after 41 years with Dallas ISD — but not before conducting his final concert May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, featuring the W.T. White Showstoppers Choir and the W.T. White Alumni Choir.
During his teaching career, Parker has shaped award-winning choirs several times over. His choirs at both Cary Middle School and W.T. White have consistently earned Sweepstakes awards and Division I ratings at UIL, several of his students have earned “outstanding performer” awards at the State Solo and Ensemble Contest, and Parker himself has been named teacher of the year at all four Dallas ISD campuses where he has taught.
“W.T. White’s choir has been a tremendous source of pride for the community for many years because of Mr. Parker’s tireless efforts,” Dallas ISD District 1 Trustee Elizabeth Jones says.
His choir program requires students to learn how to sight read and have exceptional technique — the kind of technique that has earned such aforementioned accolades — but Parker’s priorities as a director have been diversity and inclusivity, he says. Students are required to audition for the varsity choirs, but Parker says that there is a spot for everybody.
“Every child has an artistic part of their soul that they need to be able to express.”
Parker says that seeing his students’ self esteem increase helps fuel his teaching.
“It is wonderful to see a student’s pride when they sing in front of an audience, especially when I am aware of some of the backstory — there are a lot of hard things that some of them go through at home,” he says.
(For Advocate’s annual issue featuring inspiring high school seniors, Parker’s name has often come up as a positive influence in the lives of students overcoming adversity.) W.T. White principal Michelle Thompson concurs that Parker has been more than a choir teacher for students.
“He’s always gone the extra mile to help them succeed,” Thompson says. “The only way to honor him is by displaying the talent he’s nurtured and developed.”
Parker says that Wednesday’s concert will be a special, albeit emotional one. But he also says that the night is not all about him.
“I want it to be about the students, they’ve worked so hard.”
Regular admission tickets cost $7 apiece and $5 for high school students. Additionally, “premier seating” tickets will be available for $25 each from the W.T. White Alumni Association to help offset the cost of the event. To purchase tickets, click here or call 972.502.6200.
