On Nov. 7, forty-one Niles Township High School District 219 musicians are selected to perform at the upcoming Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) District 7 festival held at Glenbrook South High School. Numerous students underwent ILMEA auditions this past October in order to qualify, and this upcoming performance will determine if the musicians will receive an invitation to the All-State Festival in Peoria, IL during the 2016 Illinois Music Educators Conference on January 27-30.
The following D219 students will perform at the ILMEA District VII Concert Festival on November 7 at Glenbrook South High School:
Niles West:
Band: Kevin Thurman, bassoon
Orchestra: Michael Yim, cello; and Chris Witt, bassoon.
Choir: Chester Beck, bass; Nicole Cho, alto; Tia Chung-Swanson, alto; Sophia Cinquemani, alto; Elias Duros, bass; Thea Gonzalez, alto; Stephanie Gubin, soprano; Min Kim, soprano; Debbie Kim, soprano; Alan Kotlyar, bass; Cindy Lee, soprano; Anthony Lohan, tenor; Kristin Recinto, soprano; Anthony Saldana, tenor; and Brendan Tiongson, tenor.
Niles North:
Band: Oscar Benbow, alto sax; Lucy Chavez, oboe; Filip Czarkowski, trumpet; Juliana Tichota, percussion.
Orchestra: David Caplan, cello; Robert Sanders, violin; and Daniel Aisenberg, clarinet.
Choir: Jacob Austria, bass; Justin de la Cruz, tenor; Gabriella Dizon, alto; J.P. Dizon, bass; Hannah Eisman, soprano; Al Estacion, tenor; Goodwin Francis, tenor; Anna Hill, alto; Flonja Hoxha, alto; Thomas Montgomery, bass; Russell Reyes, tenor; Geoffrey Schmelzer, tenor; Sophie Steger, alto; and Joy Yelenosky, soprano.
This year, ILMEA has chosen the largest group of performers from District 219 compared to previous years. Numerous accomplishing musicians were carefully selected to participate in this year’s festival, including old and new faces from Niles North’s well-known musical group, Vocal Jazz. Senior Jacob Austria, expresses his gratitude in taking part of ILMEA once again.
“Fifteen out of our nineteen choir members got selected to be in the ILMEA festival so it’s really exciting for all of us. My goals for this year is to make great memories with everyone and to also qualify for All-State for choir,” Austria said.
Justin Dela Cruz, junior, is amongst the handful selected that is performing for their very first time for ILMEA.
“It’s going to be my first year participating in the District 7 ILMEA festival. I’m not sure what to expect for this year, but it’s a huge privilege and honor to partake in an event where a passion for music is shared amongst such a talented group of people,” Dela Cruz said.
Niles North wishes good luck to all students participating in the ILMEA festival this weekend, and show off to the judges the incredible talent that District 219 has to offer.
