On Saturday and Sunday, Westfield Academy and Central School is hosting a reunion of the school’s singing group, Westwinds. The group has been singing for 52 years and has received numerous awards and recognitions. On Saturday, alumni will gather from 10 a.m. to noon for a rehearsal of five pieces.

Then on July 9, at 7 p.m., the choir of alumni will present a public concert, which will also feature the current Westwinds ensemble, as well as individual performances by alumni.

Kent Knappenberger, the current director of Westwinds, said he believes there will be between 140 and 145 singers who graduated between 1971 and the present. “There are people coming from all corners of the United States and at least one from overseas,” he said. “I’m truly overwhelmed by those who are attending. They are some of the most outstanding people I know. And, it’s also been a treat to have contact with former students who can’t attend, but have dropped me a note with a personal update, and to wish the event well.”

The Westwinds was founded in 1970 by Diana Lewellen, “to be an enriching musical experience for students in our high school,” Knappenberger said. “The name comes from our community ‘West’ and the fuel for proper singing ‘-winds.’ ”

This picture, from 1972, is when the group was one year old. The director, and founder, Diane Llewellyn, is standing to the left of the piano.

Knapppenberger said the group has performed at both school and community events from its inception. “In 1978, the group made a ‘local tour’ with their production of Godspell which featured, among others, recording artist Natalie Merchant,” he said.

Westwinds has received recognition in many ways throughout the past five decades. They’ve received three “Gold with Distinction” ratings from the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) and the ensemble has been featured twice as an example of excellence at the NYSSMA annual All-State conference.

Knappenberger noted that the group has performed throughout the United States. “They have been featured in performances at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., DisneyWorld, in Orlando, Fla., and Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va.,” he said. “At the Calvacade of Music in Colorado Springs, they received the prestigious ‘Outstanding Performance by a Chamber Choir.’ ”

They’ve presented at several colleges and universities and completed several concert tours in the United States, as well as one in Great Britain, Knappenberger said. “Prior to my appointment as director, they completed a tour of Great Britain, including a performance at the University of London,” he said.

Knappenberger, who took over as director of the Westwinds in 1989, has also brought recognition to the ensemble and to the district as the recipient of the first Music Educator Grammy Award in 2014. “Ryan Seachrest and John Legend introduced me at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards with a video recording of the Westwinds,” he said. “Also, the recording academy featured the Westwinds at the 2021 Grammy in the Schools Fest.”

Knappenberger’s pride in the ensemble’s accomplishments is palpable,as well as his joy in working with the students. “A student told me once that she thought I found teenagers fascinating, which is very true! There is so much that changes in them over their high school years and it’s always exciting to see who they become,” he said. “Another joy would be the music. Music is so powerful and the kids have such a willingness to step out of their comfort zones and try something new, and then make it beautiful.”

Knappenberger said he had hoped to do a big reunion when the group turned 50, but it was not possible because of the pandemic. “Former students have been asking me to do one for years, and it’s kind of unbelievable to see that it’s really happening!” he said.

Any former members of the Westwinds who are interested in attending can contact Knappenberger at KKnappenberger@westfieldcsd.orgor elevationk@gmail.com.