Seven U-High musicians, ranging from violinists to singers, have been selected to participate in the Illinois Music Educators Association District Festivals in November.
Among the selected students is junior Sara Park, who will participate as a soprano vocalist in the All-District Senior Chorus. Sara has been a member of Bel Canto, U-High’s competitive choir, since her ninth grade year and has enjoyed singing from a young age. This will be her first time participating in ILMEA.
“I’ve always been anxious to do this,” Sara said, “but I’ve put it off for so long, and then all the seniors last year told me I should go for it.”
Sara practiced her pieces in the mornings with her choir teachers before recording and submitting her audition on Sept. 17.
“The actual recording was very nerve wracking. I was given an hour to do as many takes as I possibly could,” Sara said. “There was a huge mic in my face and a music stand and then both choir teachers were staring at me.”
Sara said she is both excited and nervous for ILMEA but looking forward to meeting other like-minded students who have a passion for music.
The other selected students are sophomore violinists Eva Koshy, Sinziana Lazar and Brian Yang, all-district orchestra; senior violist Sophia Zheng, all-district senior orchestra; junior soprano Sara Park, all-district senior chorus; junior alto Rachel Xiang, all-district senior chorus; senior pianist Rumi Johnson, all-district senior jazz band III.
The senior choir and orchestra festivals will take place on Nov. 9 at Elmhurst University. The senior choir performance will start at 4:15 p.m., and the orchestra performance will begin at 6:15 p.m. The senior jazz festival will take place the following week on Nov. 16 at Hinsdale Central High School starting at 3 p.m.
