The Examiner U-46 News Feed

U-46 Board recognizes district all-state musicians

By Seth Hancock
  At its meeting Monday, Feb. 28, the School District U-46 Board of Education recognized 17 high school students that were selected all-state musicians.
  The all-state selection is through the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA). They performed at a January state concert in Peoria.
  “These students, guided by our music teachers, have persevered through two years of a pandemic, working hard to progress and challenge themselves,” Jaimie Giraldo, coordinator of fine arts, said in a district press release. “Their success is a testament to their dedication, drive, passion, and grit, as well as to their teachers’ commitment and support.”
  South Elgin High School had six all-staters in chorus including seniors Mark Berg, Elijah Clarke and Jacob Pangilinan as well as juniors Alejandro Diaz and Nathan Shue and sophomore Kiera Moore.
  Bartlett High School included five chorus selections including seniors Dinah Garner, Abby Juson, Nicole Kamarat and Philip Vu as well as junior Eric Fox.
  Elgin and Larkin high schools each had three all-staters including seniors Jackson Baker (band, Larkin), Ariana Mattos Cruz (orchestra, Larkin), Nathan Lopez (chorus, Elgin) and Shaun Tupaz (chorus, Elgin) as well as juniors Madeline Conter (chorus, Elgin) and Katherine Wynn (composition, Larkin).
  Bartlett’s Vu said there’s a series of auditions, which have been done virtually the last two years. He said over 20,000 students auditioned across the state and the top 3 percent are named all-state.
  Additionally, sixth grader Saul Castaneda from Streamwood’s Sunnydale Elementary School was recognized for taking first in composition in his age division. The district had 31 students selected to the ILMEA District IX honors festival.