W L Whaley

Conn Selmer Educational and Marching Arts Clinician

W L Whaley is the former Director of Bands at Pomona High School, 1987-2007, Arvada, Colorado. He is currently the Executive Director of AdvantEdge Tours/Dramart Productions LTD and Chief Judge for the Colorado Bandmasters Association. He is Past-Chairman of the Instrumental Council for the Colorado Music Educators Association and Consultant Representative for Youth Music of the World. He serves as a clinician, consultant, designer and adjudicator throughout the United States.

Mr. Whaley was selected by Phi Beta Mu, International School Bandmaster’s Fraternity Kappa Chapter as “Most Outstanding Bandmaster-2007”. Mr. Whaley was selected into the Colorado Bandmasters Association “Hall of Fame” in 2004. He was also honored by the city of Arvada as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the History of Arvada” in 2004. In 1999 Mr. Whaley was honored by the Northwest Metro Area Chamber of Commerce as “Arvada Man on the Year.”

The Symphonic and Concert bands have been the cornerstone of the success of the Pomona instrumental music program. They have been consistent recipients of superior ratings for the past 20 years. The Pomona Symphonic Band has been selected to perform at the Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic/Conference in 2000, 2003 and 2006.

The Pomona High School Instrumental Music program has become recognized as one of the superior programs in Colorado and the country. The Pomona Marching Band is a past Colorado Bandmasters Association Class 5A State Champion. They won 8 consecutive State Championships and 11 in the last 12 years from 1994 -2005. The Pomona Band is a past Bands of America Grand National Finalist and semi-finalist. The Band has performed twice in the prestigious Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California in 1996 and 2005 and the London New Years Day Parade in 2001 and 2006.

Mr. Whaley and the Music program was featured in the August, 2005 publication of 5280 Magazine. Mr. Whaley is widely sought as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States. He was recognized in the School Band and Orchestra magazine article, “50 Directors Who Make a Difference,” December 1999. Mr. Whaley is a member of NEA, CMEA Board member, JCEA, CBA, and past-President of the Colorado Chapter of Phi Beta Mu National Music Fraternity.