Lemont's Honors Symphonic Band Selected For National Festival

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School’s Honors Symphonic Band, led by director Matt Doherty, soon will perform in one of the nation’s most prestigious music festivals, the school said in a news release.

Prior to that performance, however, it will join with a visiting ensemble from Leigh High School in San Jose, California, for a preview concert on March 27.

According to LHS, last summer, Lemont submitted an audition tape for the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. This event, which will take place from March 31-April 2 in Indianapolis, celebrates music making by the nation’s finest high school and middle school scholastic instrumental ensembles.

Just four schools in Illinois and fewer than 30 nationwide were selected to perform, the school said. Lockport Township High School’s Wind Symphony will participate as one of the “Featured Bands”, while Andrew High School’s Wind Symphony and Morton High School’s Wind Ensemble will join Lemont’s Honors Symphonic Band as “Invited Bands”.

Lemont’s program features "moments of excitement, chaos, introspection, and sheer beauty," LHS said. Its selections include "Fanfare for the Centennial" by Ryan Nowlin, "Symphony no. IV - Bookmarks from Japan (Mvts. I, III, V, II)" by Julie Giroux, "Blithe Bells" by Percy Grainger (arr. Robert Jager), and "Irrational Joy (from Miniature Suite)" by Steven Bryant.

Lemont will perform at 9 a.m. on April 1, from the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts on the campus of Butler University. Its performance will be streamed live.

Lemont’s Honors Symphonic Band includes seniors Arnav Anand, Alexandra Andruszkiewicz, Danielle Arabe, Amanda Bechtlofft, Kole Graczyk, Alyssa Greer, Suzanne Knutte, McKinley McManus, Jessica Popper, Toni Sarussi, Daniel Selle, Greta Svedas, Angeleah Vallianatos and Annabelle Zogby; juniors Michael Amberg, Sofia Auriemma, Krystian Bawiec, Ryan Geraghty, Tyler Hendershott, Emily Hunnewell, Jackson McManus, Vedika Patel, Destina Sarussi, Lydia Staubus, Casey Treanor, Lucian Zeglin, Nora Zhou and Luke Zolecki-Freemantle; sophomores Samuel Ahlberg, Lauren Ascolani, Julianna Duran, Leonardo Rafacz, Kaylee Sojka, Nora Thornber and Anthony Torres; and freshmen Lily Crowther, Kelsey Gottardo, Reagan McManus and Luke Rupert.

The preview concert on March 27 will begin at 7 p.m. in Lemont High School’s Performing Arts Center, the school said. It will include 30-minute performances from both Lemont’s Honors Symphonic Band and Leigh’s Wind Ensemble.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees should plan to park in the PAC Lot, West Lot, or Parking Garage. Lemont High School is located at 800 Porter Street in Lemont.