Chester brings home Superior ratings in Concert Band and Jazz Band and Excellent ratings in Concert Choir and Swing Choir
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Music Department, under the direction of Steve Colonel, traveled to Murphysboro High School Friday afternoon and evening to compete at the 2024 IHSA Organizational Music Contest.
This year Chester sent four different musical groups to the contest including the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir, and Swing Choir, “Sound Affect”.
The Chester High School Concert Band performs at the 2024 IHSA Organizational Contest in Murphysboro, under the direction of Steve Colonel. They earned a Division I Superior rating for their performance of three songs for the panel of three judges. Jim Beers Photo
Earlier this spring Chester High School Musicians competed at the 2024 IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest which took place at Carterville High School. At this competition, students competed either as a solo entry, performing by themselves, or in a small ensemble of two or more performers.
At the Organizational Competition, entire bands, choral groups or small musical units competed and are typically judged by a panel of three judges. Friday at Murphysboro, Chester’s entire Concert Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir, and Swing Choir performed as large units and were evaluated by the panel of three judges.
The CHS musicians had a long, hard day that encompassed a total of eight hours. Three busses arrived at approximately 2:45 p.m. at CHS to begin loading for the trip to Murphysboro. By 3:15 p.m. everyone was loaded and on a very warm afternoon, the buses departed CHS.
The Chester High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Steve Colonel, performed three songs in competition at the 2024 IHSA Organizational; Contest. For their efforts, the Jazz Band earned a Division I Superior rating based upon the evaluations of three contest judges. Jim Beers Photo
CHS arrived at Murphysboro at approximately 4:10 p.m. and hurriedly unloaded the buses and likewise got all of the instruments from the CHS “Band Geek” equipment trailer hauled by Davis Eggemeyer. Mr. Colonel reminded everyone that CHS was on a very tight schedule because warm-up for the first performance of the day/evening was at 4:30 p.m.
Other schools that competed Friday afternoon/evening included Trico, Frankfort, DuQuoin, Herrin, and Waterloo. Marion High School kicked off the Saturday competitions at 9:00 a.m.
The Concert Band was the first Chester performance of the Organizational Contest for the YellowJackets. After a brief warm up period, the Concert Band made its way to the Gymnasium where all large instrumental groups performed and were judged. CHS began performing at 5:00 p.m.
A panel of three judges evaluated each performance and based upon numerous criteria, determined the overall score for the group being judged. Each group performed three songs after which they left the performance area while scores were being tabulated. Scores were posted in the cafeteria where most groups waited, rested, and ate in between performances.
Chester’s first Concert Band selection was, “Excelsior Galop”, arr. James Swearingen (CL Barnhouse). Next was “Mountain Thyme”, by Samuel R. Hazo (Hal Leonard). The final Concert Band performance was, “The Cowboys”, arr. Jay Bocook (Belwin).
The Concert Band did exceptionally well and earned a Division I (Superior) rating. Following the Concert Band performance, most Chester musicians went to the cafeteria to eat, rest and await the second performance of the contest.
The CHS Jazz Band was next to perform. The Jazz Band went to the warm-up room at 7:00 p.m., and reported to the gymnasium performance room to compete at 7:30 p.m. The same team of three judges evaluated the Jazz Band. CHS performed three selections in competition.
The first song was, “Tu Valor”, which means, “Your Value”. This song was by Michele Fernandez (Hal Leonard). Saxophonist Rylie McDonough, a Chester High School senior, was featured with a solo on this selection.
For their second song, the Jacket Jazz Band slowed things down quite a bit and performed, “Soft and Easy”, by Terry White (Excelsia Music Publishing). The Jackets played well and the audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy the change of pace.
To close out the Jazz Band portion of the competition, CHS performed a very lively tune titled, “Pass the Hot Sauce”. This lively piece featured soloists Will Welge, Josh Casteel, and Jaden Lopez.
The Jazz Band performed well and earned a Division I (Superior) rating. Steve Colonel, CHS Band Director, said, “Both the Concert Band and Jazz Band received Division I (Superior) ratings in a room where the judging was quite difficult! In fact as of the end of this evening, less than half of the instrumental ensembles had received the top rating of Division I (Superior) and we had earned two of those rare evaluations.”
Chester’s two vocal groups, the Concert Choir and the Swing Choir, “Sound Affect” closed out the evening’s performances.
The Concert Choir warmed up at 8:00 p.m. and took the stage in the Murphysboro High School Theatre at 8:30 p.m. A different set of three judges were responsible for evaluating the vocal competition performances. This new set of vocal judges were even more critical than the first set of instrumental judges.
Chester’s Concert Choir performed three songs in competition. Vicky Beers served as Chester’s accompanist for the CHS performances.
The first song was titled, “We Can Dream”, made popular by the famous group, Pinkzebra.
The second selection performed in competition was titled, “Light of Grace”, by Andy Beck (Alfred). CHS student, Megan Zimmer, a CHS sophomore who had the leading role in the recent CHS Theatre Production of “Pajama Game”, was soloist in this moving tune.
To round out the Concert Choir portion of the competition, the Jackets sang a familiar tune for most people in attendance titled, “Good News” (Chariot’s A-Comin’) arr. Roger Emerson (Hal Leonard). This lively and very enjoyable song is very popular in spiritual- religious settings.
Following the three-song performance, the CHS contingent retired to the cafeteria once again to await the announcement of the choral scores. Chester students, faculty members and parents were impressed with the choir performances and thoroughly enjoyed the Concert Choir portion of the completion.
The CHS Concert Choir earned a rating of Division II (Excellent) for the three choral selections.
The CHS Swing Choir, better known as “Sound Affect” was the final Chester performance of the evening. The Swing Choir warmed up at 9:00 p.m. and performed in competition at 9:3w0 p.m. to round out the very long day.
The first performance was, “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough”, arr. Roger Emerson (Hal Leonard.
The second performance was, “Corner of the Sky”, arr. Teena Chinn (Belwin). Junior, Jason Sibley, started off this song with a solo performance, followed by the entire swing choir.
To complete the Swing Choir portion of the competition as well as the evening’s performances, “Sound Affect” sang, “Come Alive”, arr. Mark Brymer (Hal Leonard). This tune was made famous by the recent movie, “The Greatest Showman.”
The swing choir took command of the large Murphysboro Theatre Stage as they sang, danced and entertained the audience much to the delight of everyone.
The entire Chester group made one final trip to the cafeteria following the conclusion of the Swing Choir to get refreshed and await the final results. The Swing Choir earned a Division II (Excellent) rating to end the evening.
Choral Director, Steve Colonel commented after the completion of the competition, “Both the Concert Choir and Swing Choir each received Division II (Excellent) ratings. Both were extremely close to eking out Division I (Superior) ratings, but it just wasn’t our day.”
“The bottom line is…We had FUN! As a department we’ve been busier than ever this year. Through it all, we’ve had a great time making memories!”
The three Robinson school busses departed Murphysboro at approximately 10:15 p.m. and arrived back at Chester High School at 11:00 p.m. to complete the long, but fun, 8-hour day of musical performances.
Tuesday May 7th the community will have an opportunity to hear all four of Chester High School’s musical groups perform at the 2024 Spring Concert and Award Ceremony. That event takes place at CHS Colbert Gymnasium beginning at 7:30 p.m.