D58 Students Perform in ILMEA's Inaugural All-State Elementary Chorus

Story and photo by Downers Grove Grade School District 58.

The Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) selected 35 Downers Grove Grade School District 58 fifth and sixth grade students to perform in the association’s inaugural All-State Elementary Chorus on Saturday, Jan. 30 in Peoria. Only 300 students statewide were selected for this honor.

The young singers split into a boys’ chorus and a girls’ chorus, and each performed a program of challenging and inspiring music with energy and artistry. The morning culminated with a finale piece combining all 300 singers with an additional 45 student folk dancers for a stunning climax.

“Our students, eligible by their participation in the Downers Grove Children’s Choir and nominated by their music teachers, arrived in Peoria for a three-hour rehearsal with 300 students from across the state, and then performed for an audience of nearly 1,400 people,” said Pierce Downer Principal Justin Sisul. Sisul also serves on the ILMEA Board of Directors.

Music teachers Jane Bouhuys, Bridget Quealy and Stephanie Coates directed extra choir practices for the ILMEA students during the weeks leading up to the performance. The students and music teachers alike worked hard, practicing during lunch and other non-class times.

“The District 58 students were all well prepared and able to participate fully in the day, which is a testament to their hard work and the sacrifices of Jane, Bridget and Stephanie to make this happen,” Sisul added.

Congratulations to this year’s District 58 ILMEA All-State Elementary Chorus participants:

Madeline Antonio, Highland

Grace Beacom, Highland

Madeline Beattie, El Sierra

Riley Cain, Indian Trail

Megan Carbon, Pierce Downer

Maggie Clark, El Sierra

Owen Curran, Lester

Jenny Fogarty, Indian Trail

Abby France, Pierce Downer

Julia Frauendorff, Indian Trail

Tyler Havle, Kingsley

Angela Hernandez, Kingsley

Renatta Jacob, Indian Trail

JJ Kumkoski, El Sierra

Kellar Lambeau, El Sierra

Amber Leckie, Lester

Cora Lingenfelter, Highland

Hunter Moravec, Kingsley

Peyton Myers, Lester

Liana O’Rourke, Kingsley

Emelia Parson, El Sierra

Brenna Quirin, Kingsley

Madeline Riske, Pierce Downer

Kat Rutkowski, Pierce Downer

Cameron Sartin, Indian Trail

Taylor Sisco, Lester

Anna Sosnow, Lester

Alexandra Spang, Fairmount

Lily Stacey, Kingsley

Jordan Stewart, El Sierra

Sofia Storrs, Kingsley

Josh Traguott, Kingsley

Mia Vlna, Indian Trail

Mackenzie Werthman, Pierce Downer

Gwen Wolkow, Lester