Highland Park High School Band To Perform In Historic Venues In Spain

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The Highland Park High School Wind Symphony is set to return to Europe next month for several shows at historic locations in Spain.

Musicians attending HPHS audition to join the wind symphony, which is considered the capstone ensemble of the school's prestigious band program.

Led by band director Josh Chodoroff, students learn musical interpretation, individual and ensemble techniques and advanced performance skills.

In recent years, the symphony has performed in China, Japan, Italy and Spain, according to organizers.

In March, the high school symphony is set to perform at St. Gaieta Church in Barcelona, Real Seminario de San Carols Borromeo in Zaragoza, the Casa de Cultura Fererico Garcia Lorca Calle las Salinas in Toledo and the American School of Madrid.

“Wind Symphony’s participation is an honor for our students and the community,” said Chodoroff, in a statement announcing the tour.

Chodoroff was hired as director of bands at Highland Park High School in 2014 after previous work at Waubonsie Valley High School and Granger Middle School in Aurora.

That same year, he was named a semifinalist for the Grammy Foundation's music educator award, along with two dozen other music educators, after twice leading Waubonsie Valley to recognition as a Grammy Gold Signature School.

In 2020, another HPHS band was featured in a national public television broadcast.

The marching band had performed in the Ravinia Festival production of "Mass" by Leonard Bernstein in each of the two prior years, the later of which was recorded and broadcast on PBS as part of the program Great Performances.

And last month, three members of HPHS bands were selected to take part in the Illinois Music Education Association, or ILMEA, All-State Festival in Peoria: trumpeter Evan Kessler and horn players Julian Kolthammer and Elizabeth Smith.