JTHS partners with Niles West to host Orchestra Festival Day

On February 13, 2020, the JTHS Orchestra partnered with the Niles West High School Orchestra to host their First Annual Niles West/JTHS Orchestra Festival Day. The JTHS Orchestra is directed by Peter Lipari, and the Niles West Orchestra is directed by Thomas Chester, who was in Lipari’s first graduating class at Joliet Central High School.

During the event at Niles West High School, the students worked with Dr. Stephen Alltop from Northwestern University who led the students in rehearsing selected pieces. The students then had lunch together, and to end the day, they combined forces by recording the piece they worked on so everyone would have a memento of the exciting day.

Mr. Lipari said of the experience, "Everyone had such a good time with Maestro Alltop. We all learned a lot, enjoyed each other’s company, and are looking forward to repeating the experience again next year."

JTHS appreciates partnering with Niles West High School and looks forward to future opportunities for collaboration for the benefit of the students.