By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – In spite of having to compete virtually for the second year in-a-row, Chester Grade School musicians did an excellent of performing for the judges in the 2022 Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) Solo and Ensemble Contest.
Chester Grade School Band students Aiden Davitz and Avery Whittenborn perform a saxophone duet in the 2022 IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest. They earned a 1st Place rating for their performance. Vicky Beers Photo
This year the grade instrumentalists and choral students performed in the CGS Band Room in front of a camera with Sue Colonel, Band Director, and Steve Colonel, Choral Director, present.
Sue Colonel said, “Performing in front of a camera is difficult for some students, while others liked it better than being face-to-face in front a live judge. All of our students adjusted well after a bit and apparently did a great job because the judges had good things to say about most everyone and we earned good ratings.”
This year the Chester Grade School musicians earned three “Superior” awards, 35 1st Place awards, four 2nd Place awards, one 3rd Place award and one 4th Place award.
All total there were 53 performances judges by CGS students. Of those, 44 were solos and nine were ensemble or small group performances.
All of the ensemble performances were instrumental ensembles earned 1st Place ratings.
Of the 44 solo performances, 36 were instrumental while eight were vocal solos. Included in the eight vocal solos, six were from female performers and two were male performers.
Instrumental soloists earned two “Superior” ratings. 30 instrumental soloists earned 1st Place ratings, and four instrumental soloists 2nd Place ratings.
Of the eight vocal soloists one earned a “Superior” rating, five vocal soloists earned 1st Place ratings, one vocal solo earned a 3rd Place rating and one solo earned a 4th Place rating.
INSTRUMENTAL SOLOS
Superior Instrumental Solos (2)
One student earned “Superior” ratings on both of his solo performances. David August earned a “Superior” rating with his Snare Drum solo earned a “perfect” score. He also earned a “Superior” rating on his Orchestra Bells solo.
1st Place Instrumental Solos (30)
The following 30 students earned 1st Place ratings on their instrumental solos.
Alden Davits, Alto Saxophone; Erin Liefer, Alto Saxophone; Donnie Sabo, Alto Saxophone; Brock Fuller, Snare Drum; Jason Sibley, Snare Drum; Brently Valleroy, Snare Drum; Trenton Westbrook, Snare Drum; Michael Montroy, Trumpet; Alicesyn Baker, Bass Clarinet; Chelse Mathis, Bass Clarinet; and Madi Stauffer, B-Flat Clarinet.
CGS percussionists Logan Springston, Bentley Valleroy, and Trent Westbrook perform their Membrane Percussion ensemble number at the 2022 IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest Friday March 11. The trio earned a 1st Place rating for their performance. Percussion Judge Jimmy Beers, M.A. of Music Performance, noted that the CGS percussionists were the “best” he heard and judged throughout the 2022 IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest. Jim Beers Photo
Emily Gruenewald, Flute; Egan McClelland, Flute; Anna Menefee, Flute; Isabela, Flute; Megan Zimmer, Flute; Avery Wittenborn, Tenor Saxophone; Nevaeh Rommel, Trumpet; Rylee Shemonic, Trumpet; Alyssa Stehl, Trumpet; Ashlyn Via, Trumpet; Kira Mathis, B-Flat Clarinet; Cadence Sonnier, and B-Flat Clarinet.
Karim Landeros, Tuba; Landen Conder, Baritone; Landen Murphy, Baritone; Gabriel Coffman, Trombone; Aiden Davis, Trombone; Addy Gottschammer, Trombone; and Logan Laramore, Trombone.
2nd Place Instrumental Solos (4)
The following four students earned 2nd Place ratings on their instrumental solos.
Haydan Cartwright, B-Flat Clarinet; Victor Fuentes, Trumpet; Hayden Gibbs, B-Flat Clarinet; Raven Rinderer, B-Flat Clarinet.
VOCAL SOLOS
Superior Vocal Solo (1)
There was one “Superior” Vocal Solo. That vocalist was Megan Zimmer.
1st Place Vocal Solos (5)
There were five vocalists who earned 1st Place ratings. Those five vocalists included Johanna Frazer; Addy Gottschammer; Trinity Jones; Erin Liefer; and Jason Sibley.
3rd (1) and 4th (1) Place Vocal Solos
There was one 3rd Place Vocal Solo and one 4th Place Vocal Solo. Liam Holland earned a 3rd Place rating and Nevaeh Rommel earned a 4th Place rating.
INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES
The Chester Grade School Brass Choir of Addy Gottschammer, Aiden Davis, Karim Landeros, Riley Shemonic, and Adyn Winchester and Rylie Myers perform at the 2022 IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest Friday March 11. The group earned a 1st Place rating for their efforts. Vicky Beers Photo
1st Place Instrumental Ensembles
There were nine (9) ensembles that performed and all were instrumental ensembles. All nine earned 1st Place ratings.
Those nine instrumental ensembles included Megan Zimmer and Eagan McClelland, Flute Ensemble; Abby Carter and Natalie Guethle, Clarinet Ensemble; Ashlin Addison and Kaylin Jany, Mixed Woodwind Ensemble. Alden Davitz, and Avery Whittenborn, Saxophone Ensemble; and Trent Westbrook, Bentley Valleroy, and Logan Springston, Membrane Percussion Ensemble.
Raven Rinderer and Ashlyn Via, Mixed Wind Ensemble; Isabela Rafael, Jaden Bert, and Kaylee Cowell, Mixed Woodwind Ensemble; Logan Laramore, Rystain Kempfer, Landon Murphy, Brock Fuller, and Trent Tucker, Mixed Brass Ensemble; and Addy Gottschammer, Aiden Davis, Karim Landeros, Riley Myers, Rylee Shemonic, and Adyn Winchester, Brass Choir.
Sue Colonel said, “The kids have worked hard and done a good job of performing for the IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest. Many of them have quailed to advance to the 2022 IGSMA State Solo and Ensemble Contest. I am very proud of my students.”