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Marian Catholic musicians qualify for ILMEA festival, four earn first chair

Lansing’s Theodore Gray among qualifying musicians

Information provided by Marian Catholic High School

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. (November 9, 2020) – In a typical Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) Fall Festival Season, over 10,000 student musicians representing band, orchestra, jazz, and chorus performance divisions gather over the Saturdays of November to take part in ILMEA District Festivals across the state. Bringing students together from different schools to participate in an ensemble experience under an exemplary guest conductor, the events are the foundation of ILMEA student programs.

Due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the ILMEA Board of Directors made the decision to cancel in-person district festivals for 2020. Determined to provide a high-quality musical experience for students accepted into the ensembles, ILMEA re-designed the event into a half-day of digital master classes.

The following 16 Marian Catholic students qualified for this year’s District 1 ILMEA Band Festival. They were selected from hundreds of student musicians in the Chicagoland area through a virtual audition process. 

Cedar Lake, IN Ahlia Garza ˈ21 (Bass Clarinet)

Hazel Crest Christopher Scarver Jr. ˈ21 (Clarinet)

Lansing Theodore Gray ˈ21 (Tuba)

Lynwood Ryan McElroy ˈ23 (Trumpet)

Manteno Zachary Carson ˈ21 (Trumpet)

Matteson Eyan Idohl ˈ21 (Clarinet) 

Park Forest Zoe Darvive ˈ21 (Clarinet)

Riverdale Donovan Flagg ˈ21 (Bass Trombone)

St. John, IN Joshua Bell ˈ22 (Baritone Saxophone), Margaret Keith ˈ22 (Horn)

Schererville, IN Caleb Crockett ˈ21 (Trombone)

South Holland Etienne Atangana ˈ22 (Tenor Saxophone), Kolin Brannon ’22 (Euphonium), Michelle Brannon ˈ21 (Flute)

Tinley Park Roisin Walsh ˈ22 (Horn), Tommy Walsh ˈ24 (Clarinet).

Etienne Atangana, Josh Bell, Kolin Brannon, and Eyan Idohl all received the highest score for their instrument and were named “first chair.” 

On November 21, qualifying students will have a combined motivational keynote address and then will break out by instrument to participate in two different 60-minute master classes on Zoom. In addition, students will receive a 2020 District Festival t-shirt and certificate.

The Illinois Music Education Association exists to advocate for universal access to comprehensive music education; deliver exemplary professional development for educators; and provide outstanding musical experiences for all Illinois learners facilitated by licensed music educators.

Marian Catholic High School is located at 700 Ashland Avenue, Chicago Heights, IL.

The Lansing Journal
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