Troy band, choir students chosen for ILMEA Junior Music Festival

Twenty Troy Community School District 30-C band and choir students made this year’s cut for the exclusive Illinois Music Educators Association’s District 1 Junior Music Festival.

Troy band director William Goetz said the festival will show the talent of some of the best middle school musicians in the area. Those competing for the honor took on the extra challenge this year of Covid distancing, recording their auditions from home.

Goetz said he was proud of the band and choir members who earned a spot at the festival this year.

“Only a small percentage of the very top musicians from about 50 schools were selected,” Goetz said. “It is truly an honor.”

Band members chosen were bassoonist Niko Martinez; clarinetists Natasha Barowsky, Malorie Berry and Leah Warren; flautists William Buchanan, Cara Konieczny and Claire Wellman; French horn player Leah Blunk; and percussionists Sofia Mancilla and Caleb Price.

Troy choir director Kelsey Robb said being chosen shows there isn’t a limit to what the students are capable of achieving.

Troy sopranos chosen for the festival were Cristhell Gonzalez-De Leon, Emma Graf, Alesia Rivera, Sara Viamonte and Calloway Walsh.

Altos were Charlotte Dean, Olivia Keene, Xierra Rapata and Joy Seyl.

Bass singer was James Goodwin.

Troy band directors are William Goetz and Jennifer Carlton. Choir directors are Kelsey Robb and Dan Mulligan.

The festival will take place in person this year, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 6 at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox.