Middle School Musicians On Their Way To Regional Music Fest

PLAINFIELD, IL — Seventeen middle school musicians from Plainfield School District 202 are gearing up to head to the Illinois Music Education Association District Junior Band, Chorus and Orchestra Festival Nov. 6.

Choir and band students auditioned for the event, set to take place at Plainfield East High School, 12001 S. Naper-Plainfield Road. The 17 musicians representing the district will participate in a day-long rehearsal before their performance.

At the Saturday festival, the junior chorus will be conducted by Sarah Catt, the director of choral activities at Elmhurst University, while the junior orchestra will be conducted by Timothy Fawkes, the orchestra director at Glenbard East High School.

Here are the students from District 202 who will be performing:

Band

• Kamryn Cook, 8th grade at Aux Sable Middle School, percussion
• Katelyn Cook, 8th grade at Aux Sable Middle School, French horn
• Amber Bills, 8th grade at Heritage Grove Middle School, flute
• Kyle Zumstein, 8th grade at Heritage Grove Middle School, baritone saxophone
• Chloe Vasilakis, 8th grade at Ira Jones Middle School, flute
• Albert Rustandi, 8th grade at John F. Kennedy Middle School, percussion
• Grace Newberry, 8th grade at Timber Ridge Middle School, trumpet

Choir

• Mila Aloisio, 8th grade at Aux Sable Middle School, soprano
• Abhigna Janamanchi, 7th grade at Heritage Grove Middle School, soprano
• Joshua Matl, 8th grade at Indian Trail Middle School, baritone
• Ella Ruland, 7th grade at Indian Trail Middle School, alto
• Johnece Viard, 8th grade at Ira Jones Middle School, alto
• Ireland Hockman, 7th grade at Ira Jones Middle School, alto
• Olivia Smolen, 7th grade at Ira Jones Middle School, alto
• Kara Rivera, 8th grade at John F. Kennedy Middle School, alto
• Melody Mburu, 8th grade at Timber Ridge Middle School, soprano
• Lucas Reyes, 7th grade at Timber Ridge Middle School, baritone

Illinois is divided into nine districts for ILMEA programs, and District 202 is part of District 9. The non-profit organization is one of the largest affiliates of the National Association for Music Education and aims to provide high-quality music education for Illinois students.

Students of all age groups can participate in ILMEA events, and the Senior Concert Festival — similar to the junior one — will take place Nov. 13 at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville.

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