Geneva School District is proud to announce that three Geneva High School (GHS) student artists were selected to represent the District at the prestigious Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) All-State Festival, which will be held in Peoria, IL from January 25-28, 2023. For a high school musician, this is the highest honor provided by the ILMEA. Student Griffin Egan was selected for cello in orchestra and the following students were selected for composition: Brendan Coller, won Honorable Mention for “Fever Dream” and “Variations for Piano Quartet;” and John Henderson won third?place for “Rondo in C Major” and Honorable Mention for “German Honor Society Chorale.”

In addition, the GHS flagship mixed choral ensemble Nordic Voices was chosen to perform a 30-minute concert at All-State on Friday, January 27 at 8:15 a.m. They were one of four mixed choral ensembles in the state to be chosen for this honor.

To achieve this honor, students participated in the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) District IX Jazz, Band, Choir, and Orchestra Festivals in November. To be accepted to the district festivals, the students first had to undergo a rigorous audition process in early October which involved hundreds of students from participating high schools in ILMEA Dist. IX. Of the many GHS students who auditioned, 17 were selected to participate in the district festivals:

Band: Anna Shabowski, oboe; Tyler Kroll, bassoon; Daniel Barnas, trumpet
Orchestra: Griffin Egan, cello; Royce Yeung, trombone

Choir: Maeve Olechowski, alto; Jack Voreis, bass; John D’Andrea, bass; Christine Kelly, soprano; Liam Karth, tenor
Jazz Choir: Maeve Olechowski, alto – Vocal Jazz I; Olivia Montalto, soprano – Vocal Jazz I; Zach Davies, tenor – Vocal Jazz II; Jack Voreis, bass – Vocal Jazz II; Mike Curshellas, bass - Vocal Jazz III; Jackson Griebel, tenor – Vocal Jazz III; John D’Andrea, bass – Vocal Jazz III

“The music teachers at Geneva School District 304 salute all these young musicians for their outstanding achievements and for their contributions to our music department,” said GHS Music Teacher Patrick Frederick.

About ILMEA:
The Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA)is a non-profit association, representing every level and discipline of music education. Its members are dedicated to the advancement of music students, professionals, and educators in Illinois. The mission of the ILMEA is to promote lifelong music learning and to provide leadership for music education. ILMEA sponsors and organizes performance festival experiences for the student musicians of Illinois and provides professional growth opportunities for the music educators of our state. The ILMEA promotes and supports music as a vital component in the complete education of every child in school.