Western Springs Music Club Celebrates its Young Instrumentalists!

The Western Springs Music Club held its second annual Instrumental Scholarship Program auditions for young local students of classical instruments on Saturday, February 3rd at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale. The ISP program enabled students of private instructors in the local community to audition in front of a professional judge in order to demonstrate their technical proficiency and musicality and to compete for scholarship funds to be used towards educational pursuits in music.

On Sunday, February 25th, the talented students delighted their families and friends with an enjoyable recital also held at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale. In the High School Woodwinds Division, flutist Anja Robbert of La Grange, received the 1st Place award, while clarinetist, Dane Engman of Naperville received the 2nd Place award. Both performed with astounding skill and composure.

In the Junior High Woodwinds Division, flutist, Sarah Zak of Western Springs received the 1st Place award. Harpist, Jordan White of Dolton, Illinois received the 1st Place award in the Junior High Plucked Strings Division while violinist, Johanna Johnsen of Elmhurst, received the 1st Place award in the Junior High Bowed Strings Division.

The Chair of the ISP Committee, Lisa Goethe-McGinn, encouraged the students to continue their music studies while the President of the Western Springs Music Club, Sophia Foley, proudly awarded certificates of achievement to each of the contestants, including flutist, Franziska Kuemmel of La Grange, flutist Brian Kardas of La Grange Park, and flutist Samantha Mitchell of Naperville.

It is WSMC’s hope that the public will fully embrace the Instrumental Scholarship Program through their continued support as well as assistance in spreading the word of its successful second year. Plans are being made to expand the ISP to include as many local music students as possible. In addition, the Western Springs Music Club is proud of the continued accolades it receives in supporting young local pianists through its annual Piano Festival. It is crucial for young music students to find opportunities to experience the emotional and technical challenges of performing within a competitive environment, and WSMC is pleased to help provide this through both its Instrumental Scholarship Program and the Piano Festival while also maintaining a welcoming and nurturing environment. Everyone who participates is certainly a winner!

Music instructors in the DuPage and Cook County areas are welcomed to join the Western Springs Music Club so that they may enroll their students in the 3rd Annual ISP auditions scheduled to take place in April 2019. For more information, please visit www.wsmusicclub.com.