Downers Grove South High School students have earned placement, by competitive audition, into the 2021 Illinois Music Education Association All-District Band, Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Participating musicians submitted audition videos to the ILMEA, and all videos were adjudicated by a panel of professional musicians. The top placing scores were selected for participation in the District Music Festival, which will be held in November.
“We’re incredibly proud of our students for earning this regional recognition,” said Jerry Lowrey, South High Fine Arts Department Chair. “Their passion for music is evident and we hope they will continue to inspire others with their talents.”
Congratulations to the following South High School student musicians who have earned ILMEA All-District Honors:
SENIOR BAND & ORCHESTRA WINDS & PERCUSSION
Katherine Opila (12) -- Trombone (Band)
Becca Snouffer (9) -- Bb Clarinet (Band)
Kaitlyn Steffgen (12) -- Bb Clarinet (Band)
SENIOR CHORUS
Kaleb Ancell (12) -- Tenor II
Samantha Bachara (12) -- Soprano II
Gianna Caponigro (10) -- Soprano II
Adreana Duarte (12) -- Soprano I
Maija Flannery (10) -- Soprano I
Mina Kostic (12) -- Soprano I
Zach Mead (12) -- Bass I
Maximilian O'Connor (12) --Bass II
Charles O'Neill (12) -- Tenor I
Kassem Ossman (12) -- Tenor I
Abigail Parson (11) -- Alto I
Grace Rerucha (10) -- Alto II
Ryan Rosignal (12) -- Tenor I
Gwendolynne Royle (12) -- Soprano II
Jordan Stewart (12) -- Alto II
Patricia Suchanek (10) -- Alto I
Delaney Turner (11) -- Alto I
SENIOR INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ
Owen Anderson (11) -- Guitar (Jazz Band I)
Andrew Brandt (12) -- Trombone (Jazz Combo)
Lucas Ciocan (10) -- Tenor Sax (Jazz Band I)
James Clemens (12) -- Bass Trombone (Jazz Band I)
Zach Gresik (11) -- Alto Sax (Jazz Band II)
Sam Wleklinski (12) -- Trumpet (Jazz Band II)
SENIOR ORCHESTRA STRINGS
Erika Andreshak (9) -- Viola
Liudas Davies (11) -- Violin
Leka Davis (12) -- Cello
Matthew Lin (9) -- Cello
Audrey Lin (11) -- Cello
Colin McLaughlin (11) -- Cello
Philip Okunev (12) -- Violin
Emelia Parson (11) -- Cello
Olivia Roti (12) -- Viola
SENIOR VOCAL JAZZ
Nathan Frewen (12) -- Tenor (Vocal Jazz Ensemble II)
Faith Nelson (12) -- Alto (Vocal Jazz Ensemble I)
Briyana Zeigler (10) -- Alto (Vocal Jazz Ensemble II)
The ILMEA Student Programs have been developed to encourage musical performance and creative expression and the many forms that may take for student musicians. Ensembles include symphonic orchestras, wind bands, choral ensembles, jazz bands and combos, and vocal jazz ensembles. The students named into these ensembles represent the best and brightest student musicians and the high-quality music education provided by music educators across Illinois.
To learn more about ILMEA, visit their website. For more information about South High Fine Arts contact Department Chair Jerry Lowrey at jlowrey@csd99.org.