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.
CGS 8th Grader Alyssa Stehl performs her Trumpet Solo, “Jupiter Polka” at the IGSMA District Solo and Ensemble Contest. Stehl earned a 1st Place “Excellent” rating. Jim Beers
Bently Valleroy, a CGS 8th Grader, earned a 1qst Place “Excellent” rating on his Drum Solo at the 2024 IGSMA District Solo and Ensemble Contest. Shown here Valleroy gets praise and direction from IGSMA Drum Judge, Jimmy Beers following completion of his solo. Jim Beers Photo
CGS 8th Grader Abby Carter sings her vocal solo, “Shenandoah” at the IGSMA District Solo and Ensemble Contest. Carter earned a 1st Place “Excellent” rating for her performance. Carter was honored as one of two “Outstanding Musicians” at the 2024 CGS Spring Concert. Jim Beers Photo
Alden Davitz, a Chester Grade School 8th Grader, performs his Alto Saxophone solo at the IGSMA District 3 Solo and Ensemble Contest. Davits performed “Neopolitan Tarantella” and earned a 1st Place “Excellent” rating for his efforts. Davitz was also honored as one of two “Outstanding CGS Musicians” for 2024 at the Annual Spring Concert and Awards Night. Jim Beers Photo
Natalie Guethle, a CGS 8th Grader, sang a solo titled, “Shenandoah” at the 2024 IGSMA District 3 Solo & Ensemble Contest. She earned a 1st Place “Excellent” rating for her solo. At the 2024 CGS Spring Concert and Awards Night Guethle was also honored with one of the two “Director’s Awards” for her leadership and dedication to the Music Department. Jim Beers Photo
Xander Greene and Annabell Cross, CGS 6th Graders, perform their Flute Duet, “Gavotte” at the 2024 IGSMA District 3 Solo and Ensemble Contest. They earned a 1st Place “Excellent” rating for their performance. Jim Beers Photo