Troy 30-C Band Students Chosen For Prestigious ILMEA Music Honor

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

The honor normally allows the students to participate in a festival and concert, but during this year of social distancing, the students will instead be able to participate in an online music masterclass conducted by the ILMEA.

Troy Band Director William Goetz said he was proud of the band members who earned a spot at the festival. The audition process looked a lot different this year, he said, with the students recording their auditions at home and uploading their videos to the judges.

“I'm really proud of all of our students who auditioned,” Goetz said. “The music is very challenging, and even a traditional in-person audition can be nerve wracking. But recording at home can be frustrating because you want to make the best possible recording. Once they learned the music, these students had to make a plan to record and follow through with it to complete the audition.”

Claire Wellman, flute, was the only Troy 6th grade band student chosen for the honor this year. She attends William B. Orenic Intermediate School.

Seventh grade band students who made the cut are Natasha Barowsky, clarinet; Malorie Berry, clarinet; William Buchanan, flute; Cara Konieczny, flute; Niko Martinez, bassoon; Noah Tarver, French horn; and Leah Warren, clarinet.

Eighth grade band students are Paul Coffey, percussion; Grayce Featherston, flute; Damian Kuziel, trumpet; Laila Marroquin, trombone; Cameron Olson, percussion; Jaylene Orozco, tenor sax; Jorgia Smidl, flute; Katherine Steele, alto sax; and Allison Vogel, alto sax.

This is Cameron Olson’s second year to be selected for the honor.

Seventh and eighth graders attend Troy Middle School. Troy band directors are William Goetz and Jennifer Carlton.