District 64 band, orchestra and jazz musicians from its middle schools have been selected to participate at two 2018 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 that 11 were selected by ILMEA this year," he added.
The first event will bring together the top band and orchestra students for the ILMEA District 7 Festival on Saturday, November 3 at Schaumburg 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 – Joseph Boyd, percussion; Kyungsoo Chon, violin; Maggie Hershey, viola; Janine May, violin; and, Lincoln – Patrick Bayraktarov, bass; Logan Maurer, tuba; Joshua Parker, trombone; and Isabella Staar, viola. Mr. Chris Gleason from Marsh Middle School in Wisconsin will conduct the band, and Mr. Frank Lestina will conduct the orchestra.
The second event is the ILMEA Jazz Festival, which takes place on Saturday, November 17 at Waukegan High School. District 64 participants include: Emerson – Declan Cunningham, trumpet; and Lincoln – Marko Domazet, tenor sax; and Callie Berthold, trumpet. Roosevelt Griffin from Harvey Middle School and George Andrikokus from Hinsdale Middle School will conduct the Middle School Jazz Bands.
In addition to Mr. Jacobi, other District 64 teachers who instruct these students include: Eric Bachmann, Erica Faulhaber, Max Hellermann, Natalie Jacobsen Prim, Roxanne Kieme, Alex Teater, and Jamie Zimniok.
At the Occtober 22, 2018 Board of Education meeting, the students who were able to attend received award certificates and hearty congratulations from the Board and teachers Ms. Faulhaber and Mr. Jacobi.
