Saturday, Nov. 18th, selected Sterling High School music students participated in District 8’s annual music festival at DeKalb High School with a hope to qualify for All-State this winter in Peoria, Illinois. As an individual, you get to interact with other musicians who are on the same playing level, and participate in tackling some challenging music in only one day as an entire ensemble.
In order to audition, students have the opportunity to record auditions with their director who then sends it to festival organizers that will determine the students’ chair numbers and placements. Students have the opportunity to learn more about style, group dynamics between parts, and even making some friends along the way.
This is an amazing opportunity for individuals to become better performers. Junior Claire Robers stated, “No matter how many times my perfectionism gets in the way of appreciating myself as a player, I am still a capable and teachable musician and can always become better the more experienced I become.”
People outside of the music industry don’t understand how challenging it may be to learn and perform, but this is a great opportunity to have the chance to see musicians in a different view.
Band students who participated this year include Rowan Barton, Phelix Cervantez, Ross Eden, Traizen Falls, Claire Robers, and Caylee White. Orchestra students were Eve Bentkowski, Karina Grande, and Phinley Wright. Choir students included Kyrie Fisher, Harper Johnson, Augie Knutsen, Jacob Marruffo, Avery Moran, Trinity Pankey, Micah Peterson, Eleanor Redfield, Morelia Vargas, and Jonas White, with the final student being a part of vocal jazz, Jacob Marruffo.
The seven students who made it to all-state are Kyrie Fisher, Harper Johnson, Micah Peterson, Phelix Cervantez, Jacob Marruffo, Trinity Pankey, and Jonas White.
Being involved in District 8’s annual music festival was a good opportunity for students who see a future in participating in the music industry, as it gives them a chance to see the art of music outside of their high school music classes.
