District 64 band, orchestra and jazz musicians from its middle schools have been selected to participate at two 2015 regional events sponsored annually by the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA).
“Meeting and performing with their talented peers from other schools across the region is inspiring for our students, along with the opportunity to learn under the direction of nationally known conductors,” according to Brian Jacobi, Curriculum Specialist for Instrumental Music. “We are delighted that so many of our students competed and were selected by ILMEA for this year’s groups,” he added.
The first event brings together the top band and orchestra students for the ILMEA District Festival on Saturday, November 15 at Wauconda High School. More than 700 of the finest student musicians from over 50 junior high schools in the North Suburban area auditioned for a position in this all-star group.
District 64 students selected to participate include: Emerson –Tommy Doubleday, trumpet; Oleksa Zobkiv, French Horn, and, Lincoln – Mark Parages, Baritone Sax; Anthony Sarullo, Euphonium; Emily Knitter, violin; and Declan McShane, Double Bass. Don Owens from Northwestern University (retired) will conduct the band and Randal Swiggum, director of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, will conduct the orchestra.
The second event is the ILMEA Jazz Festival, which will be held on Saturday, November 21 at Niles West High School. Don Shupe from Libertyville High School (retired) will conduct the Middle School Jazz Band. District 64 participants include: Emerson – Tommy Doubleday, trumpet; and Annmarie Gotthelf, Drums; and Lincoln – Natalie Eng, Aidan Lawrence and Mark Parages, saxophone.
In addition to Jacobi, other District 64 teachers who instruct these students include: Eric Bachmann, Erica Charous, Max Hellermann, Natalie Jacobsen Prim, Mary Ciccotelli, and Jamie Hestead.