DeGuzman & Welge earn top Band Honors and Shipley earns top Choir Award. Ten students are recognized with top Theatre Awards including Sibley, Kirkpatrick, Shipley, Welge, Zimmer, Lopez, Mathis, Holland, Smith, and Wilson
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Music Department always hits the ground running each school year beginning with a pre-school summer band camp and not concluding until the very last event of the school year, performing for CHS graduation. It is the only CHS student group to be active throughout the entire school year, start-to-finish, from day one until the seniors walk across the stage at graduation.
The final major performance each school year is the Annual Spring Concert and features all musical groups at CHS. The Spring Concert is also the event when outstanding music students and theatre students are recognized and honored with the coveted top music and theatre awards.
The 2024-2025 school year Annual Spring Concert took place Tuesday May 6 at CHS Colbert Memorial Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court. The event featured the CHS swing choir “Sound Affect”, the CHS Concert Choir, and the CHS Concert Band. Also included at the event were the presentation of the 2025 Band and Choral Awards as well as the 2025 Theatre Awards.
The evening began at 6:30 p.m. with a warm welcome to the Spring Concert by Steve Colonel, CHS Band and Choral Director. He recognized and thanked CHS Principal, Jeremy Blechle, CHS Assistant Principal, Robin Barton, and Accompanist, Vicky Beers.
CHS Swing Choir, “Sound Affect”
The first group to perform was the CHS Swing Choir, “Sound Affect”. They sang four tunes. Their first song was “On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)” by Alan J. Lerner & Burton Lane and arranged by Kirby Shaw. The second song was, “Feeling Good”, by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley. Megan Zimmer was the featured soloist in this performance.
Will Welge, a senior, was the soloist in the third tune titled, “Blue Suede Shoes”. This song was written by Carl Perkins and arranged by Kirby Shaw. This rockin’ melody from the 50’s was well received by the audience. The “Sound Affect” closed out their portion of the show with the popular song, “Beethoven’s Fifth.” This tune was written by Ludwig nan Beethoven, and the arrangement was by Tom Anderson.
Four-Year Senior Awards for Choir and Band
Following the Swing Choir portion of the program, Mr. Colonel recognized all Four-Year Seniors that had played in band or sang in either concert choir or swing choir all four years at CHS. Each of the qualified seniors received a plaque for his or her services to the CHS Music Department. Those seniors are listed below.
Four Year Senior Choral Members
Jack Heffernan
Mirra Krieg
Summer Valleroy
Ary Shipley
Four Year Senior Band Members
Max Blechle
Nick Coffey
Joshua Copple
Nico DeGuzman
Toby Gercis
Mirra Krieg
Jaden Lopez
Tia Martinez
Tino Rafael
Lincon Schroeder
Ary Shipley
Whitney Sulser
Will Welge
CHS Concert Choir
The next portion of the concert featured the CHS Concert Choir. That group also performed four selections. The first song was titled, “Agnus Dei”, composed by Ruth Morris Gray. Next, the Concert Choir sang, “Riversong”, by Andy Beck. The third number was “Skyfall” written by Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, and arranged by Paul Langford.
The Concert Choir closed its portion of the show by performing a popular and very lively song titled, “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride”. This song was composed by Alan Silvestri & Mark Keali’I Ho’omalu, and arranged by Mac Huff. Soloist in this performance was junior, Jason Sibley. The crowd was swaying, clapping and swinging to the rhythms and vocals in this excellent closer!
CHS Theatre Awards
Mr. Colonel is not only the band and choral instructor, he is the Theatre Director. It has become tradition at CHS to present the Annual Theatre Awards at the Spring Concert. Mr. Colonel gave the musicians a break following the Concert Choir portion of the concert and recognized the 2025 CHS Musical Award winners.
The 2025 CHS musical was, “The Addams Family” and was met with rave reviews. The students performed four shows March 20-23. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows were at 7:00 p.m. and the show closed Sunday with a 2:00 p.m. matinee. The student actors, crew, musicians and staff were fantastic and brought the house down at each performance.
Mr. Colonel presented four different categories of awards including “Outstanding Vocalists”, “Outstanding Characterizations”, “Director’s Awards”, and “Four Year Senior Awards” for seniors who were involved with CHS Theatre all four years at CHS.
Following are the 2025 CHS Theatre Awards for, “The Addams Family”.
Outstanding Male Vocalist Award: Jason Sibley in the role of Gomez Addams
Outstanding Female Vocalist Award: Grace Kirkpatrick in the role of Morticia Addams
Outstanding Characterization Awards
Ary Shipley in the role of Wednesday Addams
Will Welge in the role of Uncle Fester
Megan Zimmer in the role of Alice Beineke
Jaden Lopez in the role of Lucas Beineke
Director’s Awards to Crew Members for Commitment and Dedication
Chelse Mathis in the role of Crew Member for Lights
Liam Holland in the role of Crew Member for Sound
Isabel Smith in the role of Crew Member for Sets
Elizabeth Wilson in the role of Crew Member for Props and Sets
Four Year Senior Awards for Dedication and Commitment (2021-2025)
Will Welge
Nico De Guzman
Ary Shipley
CHS Concert Band (Part 1)
To close out the show the CHS Concert Band performed six songs. The first three included “Fanfare Esprit”, by Carol Brittin Chambers; “Encanto”, by Robert W. Smith; and “Razzmatazz (March)”, by Matthew R. Putnam. These three numbers wowed the crowd and left them wanting more.
2025 CHS Music Awards for Band and Chorus
To give the band a break, Mr. Colonel then presented the 2025 CHS Music Awards, including the “Amanda Kahre Memorial Award”; the “Chorus Arion Award”; the “Frederick Allmeyer Memorial Award”; the “Louis Armstrong Jazz Award” in memory of Brad Eggemeyer; the “Wayne Thorne Memorial Award”; and the “Band Arion Award”.
Amanda Kahre Memorial Award: Bently Valleroy
This award is presented to the Most Improved First-Year Swing Choir Member. The award is in memory of Amanda Kahre who was a first year swing choir member as a senior in 2004-2005. Kahre was tragically killed in a car accident her senior year. This award helps to keep her memory alive.
CHS Arion Award for Choir (Top Award)
Runner-Up: Will Welge
CHS Arion Award Winner: Ary Shipley
The Arion Award is presented to the top vocal students (MVP’s).
Frederick Allmeyer Memorial Award: Kendall Nanney
This award is a memorial award dedicated to the memory of Frederick Allmeyer, who was a very talented saxophone player at CHS under the direction of John A. Birchler. He was a student during the mid- 60’s. During his sophomore year, Allmeyer really began to shine as a musician and he then became a key component of the CHS music program. The Frederick Allmeyer Award was created to recognize the most improved sophomore in the CHS Band. Allmeyer was tragically killed in action in Vietnam after his years at CHS.
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award: Max Blechle
This award is presented to the most outstanding CHS Jazz Band member in memory of former CHS Jazz Band enthusiast Brad Eggemeyer. He was the son of Dave Eggemeyer and Lisa Eggemeyer Keener. Eggemeyer was a dedicated musician at CHS as a trombone player and had a keen love of jazz. He was also a valued member of other CHS Band ensembles. He was a 2011 graduate of CHS. This award was created to help keep Brad’s memory and love of music alive.
Wayne Thorne Memorial Award: Jaden Lopez
This award is presented in memory of former CHS Band Director, Wayne Thorne. Thorne was an iconic band director at CHS in the 50’s and early 60’s. Upon his death, the Wayne Thorne Memorial Award was created to recognize and honor the CHS Band student, usually a senior, that has been the most dedicated band member and who has given the most service to the program.
CHS Arion Award for Band (Top Award)
Runner-Up: Ary Shipley
Co-Arion Award Winner: Nico De Guzman
Co-Arion Award Winner: Will Welge
The Arion Award for Band is presented to the top instrumental musicians (MVP’s)
CHS Concert Band (Part 2)
The CHS Concert Band finished the 2025 Spring Program with three final songs including “Can Can”, “ABBA on Broadway”, and “Armed Forces Salute”.
The first number, “Can-Can”, from Orpheus in the Underworld, was composed by Jacques Offenbach and arranged by Mark Lortz. This is a timeless classic which was perfect for any concert closer. The song was quick, effective, and got right to the part that everyone loves and envisions dancing to. Is was well received by the large crowd at the event.
The next performance was, “ABBA on Broadway”, arranged by Michael Brown. ABBA is well known to most people in this generation from the airwaves of the 70’s to the bright lights of Broadway. The medley of ABBA songs included “I Have a Dream”, “Knowing Me, Knowing You”, “The Winner Takes It All”, and “Dancing Queen”. This performance was a real toe-tapping crowd pleaser!
To actually close the show, the CHS Concert Band performed the very patriotic and emotionally-charged song titled, “Armed Forces Salute”. This medley of all of the theme songs of the various branches of the United States Military included theme songs of the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force, and Navy. Mr. Colonel noted that he would soon add the theme song of the United States Space Force as soon as it became available.
As the band played each respective theme song, people in the audience that were either currently in the armed forces or who were retired from the armed forces were asked to stand and be recognized. Once again, the songs, in order, included “The Caisson Song” (Army); “Semper Paratus” (Coast Guard); “The Marines’ Hymn” (Marines); “The U.S. Air Force” (Air Force); and “Anchors Aweigh” (Navy).
The concert ended on a high note and everyone left with good feelings and an appreciation for the efforts of the CHS Music Students.
Will Welge was the Runner-Up for the Choir Arion Award and the Co-Arion Award winner for Band. Jim Beers Photo
Jaden Lopez was the 2025 Wayne Thorne Award Winner for being the most dedicated band member who has given the most service to the band. Jim Beers Photo
Will Welge and Nico De Guzman shared Co-Arion Award honors for 2025 as the best instrumental musicians. Jim Beers Photo
Ary Shipley was the Choral Arion Award Winner for being the best vocalist for 2025. Shipley was also the runner-up for Arion Award for Band, Jim Beers Photo
Max Blechle won the award for his dedication and interest in Jazz. He won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award in Memory of Brad Eggemeyer former CHS Trombonist who was tragically killed in an auto accident. He was the sin of Dave Eggemeyer and Lisa Eggemeyer-Keener.
The Outstanding Vocalists in the 2025 Theatre Production of Addams Family were Jason Sibley and Grace Kirkpatrick. Jim Beers Photo
The Outstanding Character Awards for the 2025 Theatre Production of Addams Family were Ary Shipley for the role of Wednesday Addams, Will Welge for the role of Uncle Fester, Megan Zimmer for the role of Alice Beinecke, and Jaden Lopez for the role of Lucas Beinecke. Jim Beers Photo
The Director’s Awa`rds for dedication and service as crew members included Chelse Mathis (Lights); Liam Holland (Sound); Isabel Smith (ABSENT) (Sets); and Elizabeth Wilson (Sets and Props). Jim Beers Photo
Kendall Nanney was the winner of the Frederick Allmeyer Memorial Award. Nanney is the sophomore Band member that has improved the most during the 2024-25 school year. Allmeyer was also the most improved his sophomore year when he became a key member of the CHS Music Program. He was dedicated and hard working much the same as Nanney. This award is a memorial award to Allmeyer as he was killed in action during the Vietnam War. Jim Beers Photo
The CHS Swing Choir, “Sound Affect” performs at the 2025 CHS Spring Concert. The group sang four songs much to the delight of the large crowd on hand at the event. Jim Beers Photo
The CHS Concert Choir, under the direction of Steve Colonel, performs one of their four selections at the 2025 CHS Spring Concert. Jim Beers Photo
The CHS Concert Band plays one of its six selections at the 2025 CHS Spring Concert. Jim Beers Photo
The CHS Concert Choir performs a crowd favorite, “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” at the 2025 CHS Spring Concert. Jason Sibley had a solo in the exciting and lively tune. Jim Beers Photo
CHS senior, Jaden Lopez, gets into playing his trombone at the 2025 CHS Spring Concert. Lopez was a major award winner of the 2025 Wayne Thorne Memorial Award for his dedication and service to the program. Jim Beers Photo