Abby Carter and Alyssa Stehl are 2024 Outstanding Musicians; Alden Davitz and Natalie Guethle earn Director’s Awards
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Thursday April 25 the Chester Grade School Music Department hosted the Annual CGS Spring Concert and Music Awards. The event was held at the Chester High School Colbert Memorial Gymnasium to offer better seating, parking, and room for performers.
CGS Band Director and General Music Instructor, Sue Colonel, coordinated and directed the concert which featured all three of the Chester Grade School Bands including the Beginner 5th Grade Band, the 6th Grade Band and the 7th & 8th Grade Junior High Band.
In addition to the three instrumental group performances, Mrs. Colonel presented the 2024 Outstanding Musician Awards and the 2024 Director’s Awards. These four honors are annually bestowed upon 8th Grade Band Members.
The Outstanding Musical Awards were earned by Clarinetist Abby Carter and Alto Saxophonist Alden Davitz. Both are the top musicians who have done very well at all IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contests, both Regional and State, and are leaders in the Junior High Band.
The Director’s Awards were presented to 8th Graders Natalie Guethle, a Clarinet player, and Alden Davitz, an Alto Saxophone player. They are both very good musicians and
are always prepared, helpful and leaders in the Junior High Band.
The concert began with three selections performed by the 5th Grade Beginner Band. Mrs. Colonel praised the efforts of the beginners stating that they have improved significantly since the early portion of the year when they started playing their instruments.
The 5th Grade Band performed, “South Side March”, by J. Pappas; “12 The Clock Strikes”, by R. Rice”; and their favorite song, “Zombie Stomp”, by R. Grice. The beginners did not perform like beginners and did a great job of demonstrating the vast amount of improvement they have made the since they began band last fall.
The more experienced 6th Grade Band played three songs including, “Matrix March”, by E. Huckeby; “A song for Friends”, by L. Daehn”; and “Sugar Creek Overture”, by R. Sheldon.
The second year musicians did a great job of performing and it was quite apparent that they had a year of experience under their belts. Mrs. Colonel praised their efforts and noted that they had improved notably throughout the year.
The highlight of the evening was the Junior High Band. This group included 7th and 8th Grade musicians. They were seasoned musicians that performed well and had fun exhibiting their advance skills and showmanship.
The Junior High Band performed three songs to cap off a very good concert. The repertoire included “The Red Cape”, by J. Meredith; “Ancient Voices”, by M. Sweeney”; and “Fanfare and Triumph”, by J. Swearingen.
The upper classmen performed well and showed why they were considered to be to “headliner” for the concert. Mrs. Colonel hailed their performance and noted that she was proud of their accomplishments throughout their years at CGS.
Before saying goodbye for the 2024 concert season, Mrs. Colonel recognized all students that competed at the 2024 IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest.
That group of musicians represented the Chester Grade School Music Program well and brought home 1 Superior Solo rating, (45) 1st Place Solo ratings, (9) 2nd Place Solo ratings, 1 Superior Ensemble rating, (10) 1st Place Ensemble ratings and (2) 2nd Place Ensemble ratings.
Mrs. Colonel then recognized her (35) 8th Grade Musicians that will be saying goodbye to CGS Thursday May 16th at the Class of 2024 Graduation. The ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the Chester High School Colbert Gymnasium.
Some of the current 8th Graders will continue their music careers at Chester High School, while some very promising musicians have most unfortunately decided not to join band at CHS.
Class of 2024 Band Members include: Flutes: Kaelly Amaro, Kylie Eggemeyer, Kaylin Jany, Eagan McClelland, and Isabella Rafael. Clarinets: Ashlyn Addison, Jaden Bert, Abby Carter, Aurorah Chambers, Natalie Guethle, Raven Rinderer, and Alicia Tucker.
Alto Saxophones: Rhett Creason, Alden Davitz, Grace Irose, Justice Mattingly, Donathan Sabo, and Amelia Shipley. Tenor Saxophone: Avery Wittenborn.
Trumpets: Hayden Haslett, Anthony Keeton, Michael Montroy, Alyssa Stehl, Josh Velasquez, and Ashlyn Via. Trombones: Jack Johnson, Rystain Kempfer, and Logan Laramore. Baritone: Jaden Ramirez. Tuba: Landon Murphy.
Percussion: Brock Fuller, Logan Springston, Trenton Tucker, Bently Valleroy, and Trenton Westbrook.
Following the recognitions, Mrs. Colonel introduced a group of combined musicians that included the entire 5th, 6th, and Junior High Bands. This large and talented group joined forces to perform one finale song titled, “Hand Clap”, by J. Vinson.
This popular rock tune was very popular with the students and Mrs. Colonel let them decide what song to play for the finale. The performance was a big hit with everyone in attendance and it was a fantastic way to end the concert and send the audience home on a high note!
Sue Colonel, Chester Grade School Band Director (far right) poses with the four 2024 Music Award winners at the Annual CGS Spring Concert Thursday April 25. Pictured (left to right) are Alden Davitz and Natalie Guethle, Director’s Award Winners, and Alyssa Stehl and Abby Carter, Outstanding Musician Award winners. The four are 8th Graders at CGS and considered to be excellent musicians and leaders of the Junior High Band. Jim Beers Photo
The Junior High Band at Chester Grade School performs one of its three musical selections at the 2024 CGS Spring Concert. In the Junior High portion of the concert, the band performed, “The Red Cape”, Ancient Voices”:, and Fanfare and Triumph”. Sue Colonel is directing the band. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School Band Director and General Music Instructor addresses the large crowd at the 2024 CGS Spring Concert Thursday April 25. Mrs. Colonel coordinated the entire Annual Concert and directed the 5th Grade Beginner Band, the 6th Grade Band, and the 7th & 8th Grade Junior Band. The concert was exquisite! Jim Beers Photo
The 5th Grade Beginner Band performs under the direction of Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director, at the 2024 CGS Spring Concert. The band featured three selections including, “South Side March”, “12 the Clock Strikes”, and “Zombie Stomp”. The beginners were greatly improved since just starting band in the fall of 2023. Jim Beers Photo
The CGS 6th Grade Band performs at the Annual CGS Spring Concert Thursday April 25. The group, directed by Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director, performed three songs including, “March Matrix”, A Song for Friends”, and Sugar Creek Overture”. The second year musicians did a wonderful job of performing the selection of three songs. Jim Beers
Alden Davitz, an 8th Grade Alto Saxophone player, takes a breath after performing in the Junior High Band at the 2024 CGS Spring Concert. Davitz also received one of the two Director’s Awards for leadership, hard work and musicianship. Jim Beers Photo
8th Grade Clarinet players Natalie Guethle (left) and Abby Carter (right) perform with the Junior High Band at the Annual Chester Grade School Spring Concert. Guethle later received one of two “Director’s Awards” for demonstrating good leadership, hard work and musicianship. Carter later received one of two Outstanding Musician Awards for her skills and expertise in playing the Clarinet. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School 8th Grader, Alyssa Stehl, stands to be recognized following the conclusion of her solo part in the Junior High Band performance of “The Red Cape”. The occasion was the 2024 CGS Spring Concert held Thursday April 25. Stehl later in the evening was presented with one of two “Outstanding Musician Awards” by CGS Band Director, Sue Colonel.