Downers Grove North Musicians Find Solo Success!

Downers Grove North High School student musicians participated in the Illinois High School Association State Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 6, 2010.

Forty-two events from Downers Grove North High School received a Division I rating of SUPERIOR.  A Division I score is categorized as “A Superior Performance – outstanding in nearly every detail.”  In addition, forty-eight events from Downers Grove North High School received 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.”

One North High event received a “Best of Day” Award.  Clarinet soloist Marie Kirkegaard was recognized by judges to be the most outstanding performer of the day in her performance venue. 

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

Solos

• Samantha Barry - Female Voice
• Cameron Box - Violin
• Shauna Bracken -  Trumpet
• Brandon Broholm -  Tuba
• Erick Burkiewicz - Multiple Percussion
• Tristan Burnham - Violin
• Devin Collett - Female Voice
• Carrah Demos - Female Voice
• Lauren DePaz - Violin
• Erin Elgass -  E-Flat Alto Sax.
• Joe Garcia - Euphonium
• Eileen Grogan - Female Voice
• Kevin Gupana -  Oboe
• Caroline Hlohowskyj – Trumpet
• Michelle Hsu - Marimba
• Kaitlin Jeffries - Female Voice
• Alison Johnson - Female Voice
• Julie Katrenak -  French Horn
• Kirsten Keller - Flute
• Marie Kirkegaard - B-Flat Clarinet
• Jaclyn Kothanek - Female Voice
• Katie Krainc - Violin
• Catie Krygeris - Female Voice
• Jenny Luby - Female Voice
• Meghan Lyda - Cello
• Jon Parthun - Marimba
• Madeline Poortinga - Violin
• Arturo Rey - Male Voice
• Kirsten Rush - Female Voice
• Emma Sassano - Marimba
• Josh Smith - Male Voice
• Julia Stasevicius - Female Voice
• Caroline Sterr - Female Voice
• Isaac Stevenson - Multiple Percussion
• James Tandaric - Violin
• Emily Temple-Wood – Marimba
• Mike Walser -  E-Flat Alto Sax.
• Hannah Young – Harp

Ensembles

• Saxophone Ensemble: Joe DePeder, Mike Walser, Josh Williams, Andrew Zahn
• Mixed Brass Ensemble: Brandon Broholm, Caroline Hlohowskyj, Perry Martin, Peter Ralph, Bryn Sitkiewicz
• String Ensemble: Lauren Kovanko, Katie Krainc, Madeline Poortinga, Erin Portman
• Treble Ensemble: Devin Collett, Kirsten Rush

DGN Musicians find Solo & Ensemble Success

Downers Grove North High School student musicians participated in the Illinois High School Association State Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 7, 2009.

Thirty-four events from Downers Grove North High School received a Division I rating of SUPERIOR. A Division I score is categorized as “A Superior Performance – outstanding in nearly every detail.” In addition, thirty-six events from Downers Grove North High School received 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.”

Two North High events received “Best of Day” Awards. Clarinet soloist John O’Hara, as well as ensemble members Marie Kirkegaard (clarinet), Kirsten Keller (flute) and Kevin Gupana (oboe) were recognized by judges to be the most outstanding performers of the day in their performance venues.


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


Solos

• Erick Burkiewicz (Marimba)
• Chloe Burnham (Violin)
• Tom Cannan (Vocal)
• Carrah Demos (Vocal)
• Faith Enenbach (Violin)
• Kevin Gupana (Oboe)
• Michelle Hsu (Marimba)
• Faisal Khurshid (Snare Drum)
• Lauren Kovanko (Viola)
• Andrew Kuikman (Multiple Percussion)
• Kristen Lemke (Vocal)
• Colin Ludlow (Vocal)
• Meghan Lyda (Cello)
• John O’Hara (Clarinet) * Best of Day Award
• Jon Parthun (Marimba)
• Madeline Poortinga (Violin)
• Rudy Rendek (Violin)
• Nick Rudy (Cello)
• Emma Sassano (Marimba)
• Hannah Shatzer (Oboe)
• Caroline Sterr (Vocal)
• Isaac Stevenson (Marimba)
• Isaac Stevenson (Snare Drum)
• James Tandaric (Violin)
• Mike Walser (Alto Saxophone)
• Hannah Young (Harp)
• Ayden Zarkhah (Violin)

Ensembles

• Clarinet Ensemble: Kurt Meyer, John O’Hara
• Keyboard Percussion Ensemble: Emma Sassano, Jordan Depeder, Derek Mitchell, Rachel Greenwood
• Membrane Percussion Ensemble: Faisal Khurshid, PJ O’Hara
• Mixed Wind Ensemble: Marie Kirkegaard, Kirsten Keller, Kevin Gupana * Best of Day Award
• String Ensemble: Meghan Lyda, Lauren Kovanko
• String Ensemble: Meghan Lyda, Hannah Young
• String Ensemble: Madeline Poortinga, Kelsey Draeger