Lemont’s Symphonic Band tops its class at State of Illinois Concert Band Invite

5/2/2012

Lemont High School’s Honors Symphonic Band has added another major award to the music program’s already impressive trophy case. The Honors Symphonic Band was named the top band in Class 3A at the 2012 State of Illinois Invitational High School Concert Band Contest, which was held on April 27-28 at the Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. This marked the eighth time Lemont has earned top honors in its class since 1994, but the first time since 2003.

The State of Illinois Invitational High School Concert Band Contest, which is hosted by Illinois State University Bands, is an invitation-only event that brings together the state’s top bands, dividing them into six classes. Lemont’s Honors Symphonic Band not only was rated at the top of all Class 3A bands, but also ranked sixth of 24 bands across all classes.

Under the direction of Terry Redford, the band’s performance included three pieces: John Phillip Sousa’s “The Picador,” Frank Ticheli’s “San Antonio Dances” and David Gillingham’s “Aerodynamics.”

The competing bands were judged by a trio of experts in the field: Dr. Bruce Moss, Director of Bands at Bowling Green State University; Dr. Cody Birdwell, Director of Bands at the University of Kentucky; and Dr. James Keene, Director Emeritus of the University of Illinois Bands.

Lemont was awarded top honors in its class four straight years from 1994-97, and again in 1999, 2000 and 2003.

Lemont’s Honors Symphonic Band features 45 students, including:

FLUTE
Senior Ashley Dewar; juniors Kelly Collins, Jessica Jeffrey and Szymon Koszarek; and sophomores Alexandra Albrecht and Miranda Neumann

OBOE
Sophomore Phillip Zukowski

BASSOON
Freshman Rebecca Shepro

CLARINET
Seniors Brian Hennig, Tomasz Jazowski and Nichole Oprzedek; junior David Spinelli; and sophomores Kristen Janociak and Sylwia Jazowski

BASS CLARINET
Senior Sarah Mezyk and junior Vincent Dory

Eb CONTRA ALTO BASS CLARINET
Sophomore Peter Marzano

BBb CONTRA BASS CLARINET
Junior Maggie Brown

ALTO SAXOPHONE
Senior Paul Schochat and juniors Anne Finnelly and Michael Madsen

TENOR SAXOPHONE
Sophomore Luke Krisciunas

BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Junior Kyle Hamann

FRENCH HORN
Senior Marissa Mondello and sophomore Alex Bronner

TRUMPET
Seniors Ania Domalik and Corey Turner; juniors Jonathon Pioquinto and Joseph Ruggiero; and sophomore Barbara Koszarek

TROMBONE
Senior Peter Cairo, junior Rita Cardella, sophomore Zachary Krepps and freshman Sean Dutton

EUPHONIUM
Junior Kenneth Schumacher

BARITONE/TENOR SAX
Junior Nick Dory

TUBA
Senior Phil Thomas and sophomore Tristan Morlock

PERCUSSION
Seniors Tom Porter and Kendall Smith; juniors Mark Hill, Alyssa Jaje and Brett Szulc; sophomore Bryan Cummings and freshman Kyra Udziela

For more information, contact Director of School & Community Relations Tony Hamilton at (630) 243-3280.