By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Chester Grade School music students traveled to Carterville Junior High School Saturday March 1 to compete in the 2025 Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) District 3 Solo and Ensemble Contest.
The students are under the direction of Sue Colonel who accompanied the students to the competition. Vicky Beers and Carl Handel were the accompanists for the students’ performances. CGS had a total of 41 entries at the contest, all of which were instrumental.
Students had their choice of entering the contest with a solo performance or as part of an ensemble of various sizes. In the Solo Category, the Jr. Jackets earned 4 superior ratings, 10 excellent ratings, and 2 good ratings. In the Ensemble Category, CGS had 3 superior ratings and 10 excellent ratings.
Superior Soloists
Emma Bogard, Clarinet
Christopher Eggemeyer, tenor saxophone
Edwin Marquez, clarinet
Lorenzo Brooks, snare drum
Excellent Soloists
Kael Gaertner
Lance Thompson
Zander Miller
Elijah McQuire
Jackson Powell
Alexus Shrout
Harlow Ebers
Landon Coffey
TJ Henderson
Camron McClaine
Haylhn Masterson
Payton Stauffer
Bailey Cross
Floyd Adams
Xander Greene
Arie Lee
Good Soloists
Aubree Kumke
Wyatt Cushman
Zury Gomez
Superior Ensembles
Clarinet Ensembles: Emma Bogart, Harlow Ebers, Pedro Hernandez, Lucas Buskirk, Edwin Marquez, Zury Gomez, and Brady Brown.
Flute Duet: Josie Gaertner and Brenna Hammel
Flute Duet: Xander Greene and Floyd Adams
Excellent Ensembles
Kael Gaertner, Landon Coffey, Camron McClaine, and Josiah Bert
Chris Eggemeyer and TJ Henderson
Sarai Ixcoy and Pamela
Carter Davitz, Josiah Bert, and Trevor Tucker
Virgil Bainter and Lucas Farmer
Alexus Shrout and Roxie Bentem
Ally Asbury and Madi Fuentes
Aubree Kumke and Wyatt Cushman
Jake Dunn, Edgardo Lazu, and Daulton Jensen-Adams
Maggie Stueve and Peyton Stauffer
Congratulations to the fine musicians of the Chester Grade School Band for their successful performances at the 2025 IGSMA District 13 Solo and Ensemble Contest. Furthermore “hats 0ff” to Mrs. Colonel for the great job of preparing the musicians and to Mrs. Beers and Mr. Handel for their accompanying expertise.
The 2025 IGSMA Organizational Contest will be Friday March 28 at Marion, Illinois. Chester will compete at 4 p.m. This contest features the entire Junior High Band performing as one unit.
The 2025 Spring Concert will take place Thursday May 1st at 6:30 p.m. The concert will be hosted at Chester High School’s Colbert Memorial Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court. The public is strongly encouraged to attend. It will be 8th Grade Musician Night when all 8th Grade Band Members will be recognized.
The Clarinet Ensemble of (in no order) Emma Bogard, Harlow Ebers, Pedro Hernandez, Lucas Buskirk, Edwin Marquez, Zury Gomez, and Brady Brown, earned a top honor of “Superior” at the 2025 IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest. The ensemble performed, “Pop! Goes the Woodwinds” in the contest. Jim Beers Photo
The CGS duet of Josie Gaertner and Brenna Hammel earned a “Superior” rating in the 2025 IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest. The duo performed, “Ah! So Fair” in their judged event. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School 7th Grade Band member, Jackson Powell, performed an E-Flat Alto Saxophone solo titled, “Razz Ma Tazz” at the 2025 IGSMA Solo & Ensemble Contest. He earned an “Excellent” rating for his efforts. Jim Beers Photo