Grayslake Central Music Students Excel at State Solo and Ensemble Contest

The music department of competed in the Illinois High School Association’s State Solo and Ensemble Contest held March 3 at Antioch Community High School.

Grayslake Central earned 438 sweepstakes points showing 57 Division I (Superior) ratings and 32 Division II (Excellent) ratings.  These results, to be added with points to be earned at the IHSA State Music Organization contest to be held April 14 at Antioch Community High School, will combine to give Grayslake Central a state ranking for all Class A schools. 

Last year, Grayslake Central earned the title of third in State.

Music directors at the school are Dominic Bertino (Band) and Jennifer White (Choir). Accompanists for the event included Dallene Smith, Sue Yee, Lane Schlagel, Casey Reed, Carrie Nielsen, Paul Nielsen, Claire Birmingham, Jennifer White, Dominic Bertino and Megan Ames.

Vocal and instrumental instructors at the school are Kristin Nikkel, Dane Thomas, Nancy Kiser, Dick Faller, Rich Faller, and Kris Peterson.

The following Grayslake Central High School students received a PERFECT SCORE and a DIVISION I (Superior) rating: Chelsi Palmerin – Vocal Solo; Shruthi Kumar – Vocal Solo; and Casey Reed and Shruthi Kumar – Vocal Duet.

The following students received a DIVISION I (Superior) rating:

Vocal Solo – Anne Eilis Schwab, Becky Swan, Catherine Kleinofen, Casey Reed, David Bryant, Emily Rojewski, Jordan Feger, Kevin Nikkel, Maria Requena, Samantha Stonecipher, Samantha Wrzesinski, Shelby White, Sarah Ahern.

Vocal Ensemble – Corinne Schultz, Sarah Ahern, Chelsi Palmerin, Shruthi Kumar, Heather Pimpo, Rebecca Haug, Dinorah Lopez, Sofia Castro, Anna Basten, Shelby White, Alexandria Dahlstrom, Becky Swan, Beth Hebb, Ashley Hagglund, Danielle Luna, Josey Metoxen, Shelby Dorfman, Jenna Kleinofen, Catherine Kleinofen, Maria Requena, Anna Yoder, Nicole Naden, Anne Eilis Schwab, Emily Rojewski, Abby Norberg, Alyssa Ha, Abby Snowden, Brianna Ross, Danielle Parana, Giahan Phan, Malia Marcella, Bianca Matias, Eric Durigan, Max Loebman, Nathan Corpuz, Sammy Liu, Andrew O’Brien, Kevin Nikkel, Casey Reed, David Bryant, David Link, Jacob Schrimpf, Josh Pennington, Tim Sobie, Morgan Walker.

Cello Solo – Carrie Nielsen

Clarinet Ensemble - Jacob Schrimpf, Jessica Hamrick

E Flat Alto Sax Solo – Michael Higdon

Flute Solo – Emma Campbell, Hannah Jin,  Megan Wurzbach, Meredith Carroll, Nicole Loizzo

Flute Ensemble – Emma Campbell, Carrie Nielsen, Hannah Jin, Meredith Carroll, Cally Hayes, Julie Sim, Mara North

French Horn Solo – Kevin Nikkel

French Horn Ensemble – Kevin Nikkel, Sharon Kiser

Membrane Percussion Ensemble – Patrick Canniff, Beth Arnold              

Mixed Percussion Ensemble – Ron Dignadice, Brian Vien, Aishwarya Kammala, Gianni Carvajul, Seamus O’Connor

Mixed Brass Ensemble – Josh Lindh, Noah Huffman

Piano Solo – Jacob Schrimpf, Casey Reed, Rebecca Haug

Trombone Solo – Elani Pienaar

Trombone Ensemble – Elani Pienaar, Eli Karris

Trumpet, Cornet or Flugelhorn Solo – Amber Hozey, Nicole Garcia