OH vocal and instrumental music departments attained honors at the Illinois Music Education Association’s (ILMEA) All-State performance in Peoria, with a record of 13 participants.
After auditioning for ILMEA in November and getting results back in December, OH choir and band students earning a spot performed in January at a district festival featuring multiple schools. OH’s district, the ninth, includes the southwest suburbs of Chicago.
For those who earned a spot, it was an award born out of hard work.
“This was my first year making it to [ILMEA] All- State,” said OH junior Hayden Esborn. “For the Oswego Vocal Music Department, OVMD, you’re able to audition for ILMEA in sophomore year. Looking back, I was very unprepared for my auditions, so this year I chose to familiarize myself with music and really make sure I was practicing it.”
This year, between both band and choir, a total of 13 students earned the ability to perform at All-State in Peoria, five of those making honors.
The difference between honors and All-State, is placement in districts. To be considered for honors All- State, performers need to be the top 1-4 performers in the district, and to be in regular All-State, you must be ranked between the top 5-8.
For the choir department, Esborn auditioned and received All-State in soprano; OH junior Mason Day received All-State in the tenor category.
“It’s my first time [attending ILMEA], so throughout the year I improved my technique, and I also learned how to connect with my music as well,” said Day.
OH junior Owen Shatters was the only person to make it to honors All-State choir, and he earned it in the bass category.
“This is my fifth year teaching here, and it’s one of the first kids I’ve had to make it to honors here from Oswego,” said OH musical director Mark Baglione. “That’s amazing for a student to make it into that top four from our district and move onto honors. Owen did an amazing job along with Hayden and Mason.”
Within the band department, OH senior Ava Maxwell made All-State orchestra, while Oh seniors Katelyn Thilk and Braden Pawlisz made it to honors orchestra. OH junior Emily Henry and OH senior Adam Omar made honors band. OH junior Connor Omar made it to the composition competition, and OH senior Maddy Phillips was in Future Music Educators.
“Although I’ve gone to the regional version of ILMEA I think three times now, I haven’t gone to All-State since eighth grade. Since then, I’ve for sure improved my confidence, and I think the rest has come with experience,” said Thilk.
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