Choir and band students sent in their ILMEA auditions early this year and eight were handpicked for the higher ceremony, All-State, by those scores. This makes them the highest-ranking students in their respective sections, and that’s something to be proud of.
The choir members were awarded the following categories: Shelby Domoleczny in honors chorus, Evvie Jeppson and Maggie Wiegman in all-state chorus, and Molly Ewen in vocal jazz. “All-state was such a unique experience because it gave me the chance to bond with people that I wouldn’t normally,” Shelby said.
Shelby and Molly scored highest in their sections overall, and they were selected to sing the national anthem at the previous ILMEA district ceremony, which took place in November.
Alongside them, the band members were awarded with the following: Jack Stanek on trombone in the All-State Orchestra, and Bethany Polega and Olivia Power both on clarinet with Zulee Moreland on alto saxophone in the All-State Band.
The students spent four days in Peoria from January 29 to February 1. They arrived Wednesday night, then had seven-to-eight-hour rehearsals both Thursday and Friday. After the long rehearsals, they performed in the ceremony on Saturday.
“The days were super long, but our director was super personable and super knowledgeable, and he had insight for every instrument section.” Jack Stanek said. Stanek describes the All-State music having great range amongst the pieces.
Congratulations to these hard workers.
