Junior Jackets bring home 8 Superior Solo ratings, (14) 1st Place Solo ratings, and 1 Superior Ensemble rating
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester Grade School Music Department traveled to Mt. Vernon Saturday April 27 to compete at the 2024 Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) State Solo and Ensemble Contest.
The Junior Jackets took a total of 22 solo entries and one ensemble entry to the competition. Sue Colonel is the Chester Grade School Band and General Music Director. Vicky Beers accompanied all 22 solo entries. The ensemble entry was unaccompanied.
Chester performed very well and brought home 8 Superior Solo ratings, and (14) 1st Place Solo rating. The one ensemble also earned a Superior Ensemble rating.
Superior Solo Ratings (8)
Superior Solo Ratings included Brock Fuller, Danny Santay, Xander Green, Hadlie Cushman, Emma Bogard, Alden Davitz, Avery Wittenborn, and Logan Hoskin.
Brock Fuller Drums “Yankee Doodle Dandy”
Danny Santay Tenor Sax “Allegro” (From Concerto Grosso Op.3 No.4)
Xander Green Flute “Holiday on Ice”
Hadlie Cushman Bass Clarinet “Funeral March of a Marionette”
Emma Bogard Clarinet “Pepperino”
Alden Davitz Alto Sax “Neopolitan Tarantella”
Avery Wittenborn Tenor Sax “Allegro Spiritoso”
Logan Hoskin Drums “High Stepper”
Superior Ensemble Rating (1)
There was one Superior Ensemble rating. The members of that ensemble included Alden Davitz, Jackson Liter, and Avery Wittenborn.
Ensemble Performance Saxophone Ensemble “Allegro from Concerto Grosse”
1st Place Solo Ratings (14)
There were (14) 1st Place Solo Ratings including Abby Carter, Alyssa Stehl, Bailey Cross, Brenna Hammel, Abby Carter, Alyssa Stehl, Natalie Guethle, Natalie Guethle, Harlow Ebers, Aubree Kumke, Jose Gartner, Maycie Dickerson, Ashlyn Via, Jackson Liter.
Abby Carter Voice Solo “Shenandoah”
Alyssa Stehl Trumpet Solo “Jupiter Polka”
Bailey Cross Flute Solo “Elf Dance”
Brenna Hammel Flute Solo “Menuette”
Abby Carter Clarinet Solo “Concerto in Eb”
Alyssa Stehl Voice Solo “Shenandoah”
Natalie Guethle Clarinet Solo “Polish Dance”
Natalie Guethle Voice Solo “Shenandoah”
Harlow Ebers Clarinet Solo “The Entertainer”
Aubree Kumke Trumpet Solo “Razz Ma Tazz”
Josie Gartner Flute Solo “Menuette”
Maycie Dickerson Flute Solo “Menuette”
Ashlyn Via Trumpet Solo “Razz Ma Tazz”
Jackson Liter Alto Sax Solo “The Entertainer”
The Chester Grade School students, under the direction of Sue Colonel, did a fantastic job of performing for the judges and received numerous favorable comments regarding their efforts. Each contestant was awarded a medal for their Superior or 1st Place Rating.
Alden Davitz performs his Alto Saxophone Solo, “Neopolitan Tarantella” at the State IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest. He earned a Superior rating for his performance. Jim Beers Photo
Alyssa Stehl, a Chester Grade School 8th Grader, sings her Vocal Solo, “Shenandoah” at the 2024 IGSMA State Solo and Ensemble Contest. She earned a 1st Place rating for her event. Jim Beers Photo
Natalie Guethle, a Chester Grade School 8th Grader, performs her Clarinet Solo at the 2024 IGSMA State Solo and Ensemble Contest Saturday April 27 at Mt. Vernon. Her solo was titled, “Polish Dance” and she earned a 1st Place rating. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School student, Danny Santay, performs his Tenor Saxophone Solo “Allegro (from Concerto Grosso Op. 3 No.4.” He earned a Superior rating for his efforts and much praise from his judge, Christy Allen of Herrin. Jim Beers Photo
Hadlie Cushman performs her Bass Clarinet Solo at the 2024 IGSMA State Solo and Ensemble Contest Saturday April 27 at Mt. Vernon. The title of her solo was, “Funeral March of a Marionette”. She earned a Superior rating and received great comments from her judge Christy Allen. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School 8th Grader, Abby Carter, sings, “Shenandoah” at the 2024 IGSMA State Solo and Ensemble Contest Saturday April 27 at Mt. Vernon. Her performance earned a 1st Place rating. Jim Beers Photo
Xander Green, a Chester Grade School music student, performs his Flute Solo “Holiday on Ice” Saturday April 27. The event was the 2024 IGSMA State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Mt. Vernon. Green earned a Superior rating and high praise from his judge, Christy Allen of Herrin. Jim Beers Photo
Brenna Hammel of Chester Grade School performs her Flute Solo at the State IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest Saturday April 27. Her solo was titled, “Menuette” and earned a 1st Place rating. Jim Beers Photo
Christy Allen, one of several Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMSA) Judges, listens to performances of 18 Chester Grade School musicians at the 2024 IGSMA State Solo and Ensemble Contest Saturday April 27 at Mt. Vernon. Allen, who is a very experienced judge and music teacher, has been judging contests for decades and is very supporting of all performers. She was was quite impressed with the skills and performances of the CGS Music Students who are trained by Sue Colonel, CGS Band and General Music Director. Jim Beers Photo