Nazareth Academy Students Qualify For Choir and Band Festival

Submitted by Nazareth Academy.

Nazareth Academy congratulates junior Edward Colaianni of Westchester and sophomore Sandy Fredericks of Berwyn, who were selected for the District 1 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) choir and band. Over 2,400 Choral and Band students from District 1 auditioned at Sandburg High School earlier this month.

The concert will take place at Elmhurst College on November 21, 2015. Students then have the chance to progress from the District level to the State level. State results will not be known until after the concert.

“Eddie is an enthusiastic saxophone player who goes beyond what is asked of him,” says Michael Sliwinski, Director of Bands. “He is fluent on not only alto saxophone, but tenor and baritone saxophone as well. He takes private lessons outside of school and also plays in the West Suburban Concert Band in his free time. In the short time I have known Eddie, it is evident that he has a passion for music and never settles for anything less than his best. He excels not only in the concert band setting, but in the jazz genre as well.”

Sandy is a mezzo soprano and this is her second year in Nazareth’s Choir and first year in Progressions Choir.

According to Ann Bourjaily-Maney, Choir Director, “Sandy’s beautiful voice is known to many, but she is a smart musician as well. The choral repertoire and aural skills for ILMEA are extremely challenging and Sandy put in countless hours preparing for her audition. She takes it upon herself to go the extra step to understand and challenge herself to be a better musician.”

Nazareth wishes Eddie and Sandy all the best at the November concert and in their continued careers as student-musicians.