Through three articulated areas, Choral, Instrumental, and General, the High School Music Department emphasizes musicianship and the development of critical thinking skills.

The High School Music Department is dedicated to being a vital part of the school’s mission. We are committed to providing a quality learning environment dedicated to fostering intellectual achievement, civic responsibility, and personal growth. Our program develops students’ cognitive and motor skills, promotes knowledge of current and historically significant literature, and encourages meaningful participation in society through strong intra and interpersonal skills, cultural awareness and participation, and community service.

The Choral and Instrumental areas focus on performance while the General music classes concentrate on history and theory. Nearly 25% of the student body participates in the performing ensembles, and more than 40 of those students yearly earn inclusion in All-County, Regional, State, New England, All-Eastern, and National festival ensembles.

Mr. Charles Fidlar directs the middle and high school choral programs which include the high school Concert Choir and Select Singers, and the middle school Chorus and Doowopsies. The combined choruses perform major choral works with the Torrington Symphony, sing the Nutcracker with the Waterbury Symphony and Nutmeg Ballet, and in alternate years, host the All-District Choral Festival, “Seven Sings!” featuring Region 7’s elementary school singers. In addition to accapella concerts and community events, the choruses present projects such as Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Trial By Jury” and Purcell’s “Dido & Aeneas”. Charles Fidlar is in his 9 th year teaching at Northwestern, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Cornell University, a Master’s Degree in Conducting from New England Conservatory, and Doctoral Studies at Stanford University. He is an active member of MENC, CMEA, ACDA, AGMA, and Pi Kappa Lambda.

Mr. Stephen Zimmerman is the director of bands, whose numerous ensembles include the Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, and Percussion Ensemble. Mr. Zimmerman also teaches AP Music Theory, Popular Music, and independent study in music. The band program continues the legacy of excellence first created by Mr. Frank Shea (retired) and built upon by Mr. Greg Crameri (Har-Bur MS). The band has recently performed at many honor festivals including the 2001 & 2004 CT Music Educators Conference, the All-Connecticut High School Music Festival at Lincoln Center (Avery Fisher Hall - 1999) and All-Connecticut High School Music Festival at Carnegie Hall (2003). Student honors in the year 2005 include – 18 All-Berkshire League, 12 All-Northern Region, 6 All-State (including 4 in the All-State Orchestra), 2 All-Eastern, and 1 Honor Band of America participants. Stephen Zimmerman is in his 8 th year of teaching at Northwestern and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Elizabethtown College and an MS in Conducting from Southern Oregon University. He is an active member of the Connecticut Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu, and the Connecticut Educators Association.