District 64 is preparing to salute its musical all-stars for 2016-17 -- the middle school band, orchestra and jazz musicians selected to participate this year at two regional events sponsored annually by the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) and a state-wide event sponsored by the All-Illinois Junior Band.
““We are delighted that so many of our students competed and were selected by ILMEA for this year’s groups," according to Brian Jacobi, Curriculum Specialist for Instrumental Music. "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,” he added.
The ILMEA District 7 Festival brought together the top band and orchestra students gathered through auditions from among the finest at over 50 junior high schools in the North Suburban area.
Students selected to participate in 2016-17 included: Emerson Middle School – Julia Gugulski (grade 8), clarinet; Maddie Lenzini (grade 8), flute; Heidi Lindemann (grade 8), bass clarinet; Philip Pistone (grade 8), trumpet; Madelyn Yatvin (grade 8), euphonium; Charlie Doubleday (grade 6), double bass; Nathan Fernando Munoz-Lo (grade 7), cello; Lincoln Middle School – Zachary Hassman (grade 7), cello; Declan McShane (grade 7), double bass; Anthony Sarullo (grade 8), tuba; and Mary Seat of Wisdom – Isabella Staar (grade 6), viola.
At the ILMEA Jazz Festival, District 64 students selected to participate included: Emerson – Pistone; and Lincoln – Thomas Cavanaugh (grade 8) and Blake Parages (grade 8), trumpet; Aidan Lawrence (grade 8) and Anthony Pullano (grade 8), saxophone; Adam Ferraro (grade 8), drums; and Sarullo, trombone.
In addition to these regional accomplishments, two District 64 students distinguished themselves at the state level by winning positions in this year's All-Illinois Junior Band. This is only the second year that middle school musicians have had an opportunity to compete and perform. Clarinetist Julia Gugulski from Emerson earned a position in this ensemble two years in a row. She was joined this year by Lincoln student Anthony Sarullo on euphonium.
Mr. Jacobi pointed out that Sarullo may have set a new state-wide milestone by winning three major auditions on three different instruments: District 7 Band on tuba, District 7 Jazz Band on trombone, and All-State Band on euphonium.
"To my knowledge, this has never happened before in our state!" according to Mr. Jacobi.
These musical all-stars are among the students who will be recognized for their academic and other outstanding accomplishments at the May 22, 2017 Board of Education meeting at Emerson Middle School (multipurpose room), 8101 N. Cumberland, Niles, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The evening will be preceded from 6-7 p.m. by the second annual Student Learning Showcase, where students selected from all schools and grade levels will demonstrate their 21st century learning skills focused on the 4 C's of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Community members of all ages are invited to attend the event, which will be conducted in the school lobby.