LTHS musicians play and croon their way to top

Fourteen Lyons Township High School students recently returned from a weekend-long statewide music conference, having rehearsed with and played alongside the best student musicians in the state. These All-State Musicians participated in the 70th annual Illinois Music Educators (ILMEA) All-State Conference festival in Peoria, Illinois. Students learned under noted guest conductors and performed in a concert to culminate the three-day festival.

The 14 LT student musicians were selected through a stringent audition and participation in the ILMEA District Festival. This is one of the highest honors an Illinois musician can receive. Five students are repeat honorees, having been named among the All-State ranks last year. Once a student is named an All-State musician, they re-audition at the convention for the coveted Honors distinction; six LT students earned Honors recognition.

All-State musicians are chosen by the ILMEA based upon preliminary auditions held in October at the district level. LTHS belongs to District #1, which includes the City of Chicago and approximately 80 high schools from the southwest suburbs. There are typically 2400 students who audition for district ensembles in District #1 each year. This year LT had 55 students selected for district ensembles in the areas of band, choir, orchestra, jazz band and jazz choir. The students with the highest scores in each district are submitted to a meeting of all ILMEA district presidents. At this meeting, district representatives choose students to represent their districts at the state level for the All-State ensembles.

“Congratulations to those who auditioned, those selected and their teachers. All-State recognition is a tremendous honor for our students and a reflection of our staff. The All-State weekend in Peoria is a learning experience for these students that unite them with fellow musicians and directors from across the state,” said Superintendent Dr. Timothy Kilrea.

Eric Brindle, Junior (LaGrange Park): All-State Orchestra

Lauren Culver*, Junior (Countryside): All-State Orchestra

Jack Doherty, Senior (LaGrange Park): Honors Choir

Will Foster, Senior (Western Springs): All-State Choir

Michael Korenchan, Junior (Burr Ridge): All-State Jazz Band

Franziska Kuemmel, Junior (LaGrange): Honors Band

Elise Naval*, Senior (LaGrange Park): Honors Choir

John Quinlan*, Junior (LaGrange Park): Honors Band

Alex Saacke*, Senior (LaGrange Park): All-State Orchestra

Max Schultz*, Junior (LaGrange Park): Honors Orchestra

Kevin Shafer, Junior (Western Springs): All-State Choir

Madeline Wilkins, Senior (LaGrange): All-State Choir

Isaac Wisthuff, Senior (LaGrange): All-State Choir

Mae Wolcott, Sophomore (LaGrange): Honors Choir

*Repeat All-State Honor Musicians