DGN Musicians Find Success at 2023 State Contest

Downers Grove North High School student musicians participated in the Illinois High School Association State Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 4, 2023.

37 music events from Downers Grove North High School earned a Division I rating of SUPERIOR.  A Division I score is categorized as “A Superior Performance – outstanding in nearly every detail.”  Three of North High's Division I soloists received perfect scores. In addition, seven music events from Downers Grove North High School garnered a Division II rating of OUTSTANDING.  A Division II score is categorized as “An excellent performance – only minor defects.”

“Preparing for a Solo and Ensemble contest is a great opportunity for our students to express their individualism as soloists and to develop team-work skills with small ensembles,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chair at North High.  “We’re very proud of all our students who entered the state contest this year.  They did a terrific job representing North High with their musicianship.”

The following North High Music Events received a “Division I—Superior” rating:

Audrey Anderson, Violin Solo

Kirsten Anderson, Flute Solo

Peter Anderson, Trumpet Solo

Bryan Attika, Trombone Solo

Grace Avila, Horn Solo

Shannon Casey, Horn Solo

Stephen Cecil, Viola Solo (*)

Marc Contreras, Horn Solo

Isabel Eide, Flute Solo

John Fioti, Trombone Solo

Pallavi Fisher, Violin Solo

Audrey Graves, Viola Solo

Robert Huth, Cello Solo

Charlie Janka, Oboe Solo

Hannah Janka, Horn Solo

Sadie Kearney, Flute Solo

Hannah Keefer, Clarinet Solo

Ella Knickerbocker, Violin Solo

Juliana Kolatek, Clarinet Solo

Ava Kuether, Violin Solo

Ethan Martin,Tuba Solo (*)

Caleb McCloud, Violin Solo (*)

Colleen Milos, Oboe Solo

Nicole Moravec, Violin Solo

Joaquin Orellanna, Violin Solo

Aarush Palli, Flute Solo

Avery Pawlak, Euphonium Solo

Adam Pearson, Trombone Solo

Holden Peckenpaugh, Double Bass Solo

Addison Potter, Violin Solo

Erin Tamasi, Flute Solo

Julia Toth, Horn Solo

Allison Waden, Oboe Solo

Ethan Weingust, Bassoon Solo

Isabel Eide, Sadie Kearney, Erin Tamasi - Flute Ensemble

Bryan Attika, John Fioti, Owen Hardage, Ethan Martin, Adam Pearson, Griffin Sullivan - Mixed Brass Ensemble

Stephen Cecil, Joshua Ho, Robert Huth, Nicole Moravec, Holden Peckenpaugh - String Ensemble

* - Perfect Score

Two DGN Events received "Best of Day" awards from an adjudicator:

Ensemble: Bryan Attika, John Fioti, Owen Hardage, Ethan Martin, Adam Pearson, Griffin Sullivan

Solo: Hannah Janka, Horn

The following North High Music Events received a “Division II—Excellent” rating:

Natalie Folkening, Cello Solo

Claire Gustis, Flute Solo

Samantha Hansen, Flute Solo

Natalie Lamar, Flute Solo

Sarah Lampsa, Violin Solo

Mara Neil Violin, Solo

Jared Waden, Trombone Solo