Thirty-three high school and 20 middle school students from Sycamore Community School District 427 were recently selected as members of the 2021 Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) All-District Orchestras, Bands, Jazz Bands, and Choirs.
Students who were chosen for All-District ensembles recorded material for judges in competitive auditions in October. The students selected to participate in the Orchestra festival performed a concert at Moline High School on Nov. 6. Students selected for the jazz bands performed a concert on Nov. 13, while the selected high school Band and Choir students will perform at DeKalb High School on Saturday, Nov. 20.
“We are exceptionally proud of all our musicians,” said Scott Mertens, chair of the Sycamore music department. “In any year, our musicians work and practice diligently and persistently, and they must fit in their musical pursuits around schoolwork and other activities. But in the COVID era, the amount of time and effort it takes to practice and then record music for judging in a virtual but still highly competitive audition environment is truly extraordinary. We’re so pleased with their accomplishments.”
Students from Sycamore High School who have been selected for the ILMEA All-District festivals include:
HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR:
Soprano – Lili Jennings, Lynsey Villarreal; Alto – Annabelle Christensen.
HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA:
Violin – Sofi Briscoe, Emma Fredericks, Stephanie Kim, Bella Kirchmann, Sophia Klacik, Yu Xuan Ni, Regan Ni, Jeanny Ni, Eva Peterson, Ritta Wi; Viola – Emily Bychowski, Elizabeth Kleckner; Cello – Rebecca Allen, Delaney Baylor, Ethan Bode, Luke Templin; Bass – Daniel Bos, Jon Locascio.
HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA WINDS:
Oboe – Elizabeth McConkie; Horn – Mitch Edwards; Trumpet – Tryggve Vilaseca; Trombone – Colin Wunner, Sam Crutcher.
HIGH SCHOOL BAND:
Flute – Avery DeRuyter; Oboe – Jake Rundle; Clarinet – Chloe Harbecke; Trumpet – Aiden Saam; Horn – Aidan Dempsey; Percussion – Greyson Decker
HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND:
Trombone – Colin Wunner.
Students from Sycamore Middle School who have been selected for the ILMEA district festivals include:
MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND:
Clarinet – Giana Huffstutler, Payton Kalweit; Trumpet – James McConkie; Horn – Evelyn Irwin; Percussion – Noah Bradac.
MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ BAND:
Alto Saxophone—Benjamin Fitzpatrick.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR:
Soprano – Felipe Beharovic, Eleanor Klacik; Alto – Morgan Cook, Lyla Hagemeyer, Vega Paetzold, Graham Willrett, Clara Wirsing.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA:
Violin – Marlie Colness, Claire Hua, Lauren Marberry, Maddy Pickard; Viola — Teagan Hagemeyer; Cello – Callista Morton, Evan Tonaki.
About Sycamore Boosters
Sycamore Music Boosters supports students in K-12 music programs offered within Sycamore Community School District 427. Its board of directors is a volunteer group of parents and community members. Board meetings are open to the public. Please visit sycamoremusicboosters.com for more information, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Our email address is sycamoremusicboosters@gmail.com.
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