About Our Wolfpack
At Heritage High School, our choir program is more than just music—it’s a community where voices unite, friendships grow, and students discover the power of artistic expression. As Timberwolves, we believe in “howling in harmony,” celebrating both individuality and teamwork through the joy of singing. From our concert choir to our specialized ensembles, each group provides students with the opportunity to develop their musical skills, build confidence, and share their passion with the community. Guided by a dedicated team of educators, our choirs strive for excellence, communicating through expressive music while fostering a welcoming environment where every student can find their voice and belong.
“United, we strive for excellence, communicating through expressive music”
Meet our Educators
Get to know the passionate instructors behind our success. Our choir program is led by highly talented educators who bring energy, expertise, and a love for music into every rehearsal, performance, and classroom experience- strengthening the personal growth, confidence and passion into each and every one of the over 200 current students in the Heritage Timberwolf choir family.
Billy Buhl
Choir Director
For the past 5 years, Billy Buhl has served as the director of choirs at Heritage High School in the Evergreen School District in Vancouver, WA. where he teaches 5 choirs. He received his B.M. in Choral Music Education and a Masters in Music Education from Central Washington University. In the summer of 2021, Billy received the ‘Outstanding Emerging Choral Director Award’ from the Washington State Chapter of ACDA. He has served as the tenor/bass R&R Chair on the WA ACDA Board for the last 4 years. An active performer and clinician, Billy sings in the professional choir, Chor Anno, co-directed by Dr. Nicole Lamartine and founder Howard Meharg. Chor Anno performed at the 2022 NW ACDA Conference. Most recently, Heritage High School’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble performed at the 2024 NW ACDA Conference and the 2025 National Jazz Educators Network Conference. As an active member of NAfME, ACDA, and JEN, Billy strongly believes that a quality choral music education serves as the vehicle to create better human beings.
James Pick
Choir Accompanist
Pianist James Pick is a versatile musician equally comfortable on a concert stage, in an orchestra pit, and at a theater studio. His performances take him all across the Northwest as a collaborative pianist and music director in a variety of professional, academic, and community situations. James earned degrees in Piano Performance and Theory/Composition from George Fox University and received his Masters of Music in Performance with an emphasis in Collaborative Piano from Portland State University. In 2020, James performed with the Portland State University choirs under the direction of Eric Whitacre. Other notable performances include master classes for international artists including Lawrence Brownlee, Dr. William Westney, Benjamin Appl, and Dr. David Riley.
Meet the Ensembles
At Heritage High School, our award winning choir program offers a home for every voice. From the rich harmonies of our concert choir to the unique sounds of vocal jazz and specialized treble and tenor-bass groups, each ensemble gives students the opportunity to grow as musicians, performers, and leaders. Together, our choirs form one Timberwolf family legacy—howling in harmony and sharing the power of music with our school and community.
Vocal Jazz
T-Wolf Vocal Jazz is an ensemble open to high school students (9-12) by audition only. Accompanied by a rhythm section (piano, bass, drums, guitar), this ensemble meets daily and travels frequently attending jazz festivals and workshops throughout the year. This group performs difficult literature ranging from 4 to 12 parts in a variety of styles including swing, blues, Latin, funk, and more. Only just four years old, the Vocal Jazz Program at Heritage High School has quickly grown into a top-notch choral ensemble with a reputation around the country. Most recently, T-Wolf Vocal Jazz performed at the 2024 Northwest ACDA Conference and the 2025 National Jazz Educator’s Network Conference. Last year, T-Wolf Vocal Jazz took 1st place at the Commencement Bay Vocal Jazz Festival and the Clackamas Community College Vocal Jazz Festival.
Select Ensemble (Vocal Jazz Ensemble)
Open to Grades: 10-12 Credit: 1.0 Course Length: Two Semesters
Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts or elective
Prerequisites: Audition/permission of instructor
Course Description: The student will learn advanced Vocal Jazz techniques, with an emphasis on musicianship. Students sing on microphones supported by a jazz rhythm section (piano, bass, drums). Individual and group parts tests are given periodically. Students are expected to prepare individual voice parts outside of class time, and scheduled rehearsals and concert participation is required. Performances include regularly scheduled school concerts, community appearances, assemblies, festivals and contests. Participation in this class includes an expectation for participation in various jazz festivals throughout the year. This course is repeatable for additional credit.
Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is a select group of singers from the Treble and Tenor/Bass choirs of Heritage High School. They have won numerous awards at choral festivals around the country. They have developed a well-known tradition of excellence in choral music around the Northwest. Recently, Concert Choir took 2nd place at the 2025 CBC Jazz Unlimited Festival in Pasco, WA.
Concert Choir
Tenor Bass Choir
The Tenor/Bass Choir is a large group of singers who wish to get a better foundation in the art of vocal music. This choir performs at five major concerts per year. In addition to the regular concert season, they also participate in the District Tenor/Bass Choral Festival. Fundamentals are emphasized to ensure a strong foundational knowledge in music.
Tenor/Bass Ensemble
Open to Grades: 9-12 Credit: 1.0 Course Length: Two Semesters
Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts or elective
Prerequisites: This course is for bass/tenor voices. Desire to sing, ability to reasonably match pitch.
Course Description: The student will learn vocal techniques and tone production. Skills developed are voice production, sight singing, ear training, basic music terminology, music theory and performance. A variety of repertoire is explored. Participation is required at all scheduled rehearsals, concerts, and festivals. This course is repeatable for additional credit.
Select Treble Choir
The Select Treble Choir is a small select group of singers that have become known as one of the finest treble choirs in the Northwest. They also have won many awards at choral festivals around the country. They have won 1st Place at Regional and State Solo Ensemble Contests numerous times. Most recently, they took 1st place at the 2025 CBC Jazz Unlimited Festival.
Select Treble Choir
Open to Grades: 10-12 Credit: 1.0 Course Length: Two Semesters
Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts or elective
Prerequisites: This course is for treble voices. Audition/permission of instructor
Course Description: The student will learn vocal techniques and tone production. Skills developed are voice production, sight singing, ear training, basic music terminology, music theory and performance. A variety of repertoire is explored. Participation is required at all scheduled rehearsals, concerts, and festivals. This course is repeatable for additional credit.
Treble Choir
The Treble Choir is a large group of singers who wish to get a better foundation in the art of vocal music. This choir performs at 5 major concerts per year. In addition to the regular concert season, they also participate in an area Treble Choral Festival. Fundamentals are emphasized to ensure a strong foundational knowledge in music.
Treble Choir
Open to Grades: 9-12 Credit: 1.0 Course Length: Two Semesters
Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts or elective
Prerequisites: This course is for treble voices. Desire to sing, ability to reasonably match pitch.
Course Description: The student will learn vocal techniques and tone production. Skills developed are voice production, sight singing, ear training, basic music terminology, music theory and performance. A variety of repertoire is explored. Participation is required at all scheduled rehearsals, concerts, and festivals. This course is repeatable for additional credit.
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