OREGON – Oregon Junior Senior High School’s (OJSHS) Music Program has concluded an exceptional fall season and is now setting its sights on a new round of performances. In their first competition at Western Illinois University, the high school marching band delivered an impressive performance of their "Carmen Sandiego" show, securing fifth place out of 11 bands in their class. Meanwhile, the junior high marching band took home a 1st place victory at the Autumn on Parade event, further showcasing the district’s musical talent. The choir program also delivered an outstanding program at the annual fall district-wide concert, delighting audiences and setting a high standard for the year.
As the program transitions to the concert season, excitement is also building for the individual achievements of OJSHS musicians in grades 6-12. Students auditioned for the prestigious Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) district ensembles after dedicating countless hours over the summer and fall. Many students from Oregon were selected to join these elite ensembles, where they will perform alongside other top musicians from northwest Illinois. The ILMEA Jazz Festival will be held on Nov. 9 at Hononegah High School, followed by the Concert Festival on Nov. 16 at DeKalb High School. High school students selected for the district ensembles will also be eligible for consideration in the ILMEA all-state groups.
The selected musicians from OJSHS include:
Junior Choir: Kendra Ege, Emma Flanagan, Olivia Leopold, Oliver Noble, Alice Tomlinson, Addison Tucker, Deshawn Wallace
Junior Band: Evelyn Anderson, Kate Nobis, Ethan Rowe, Lia Tran, Ace Wilson
Junior Jazz Band: Caden Bradshaw, Deshawn Wallace, Rozlynn Warner
Senior Jazz Choir: Noelle Girton, Evelyn Helton
Senior Jazz Band: Sarah Eckardt, Isaac Kramer, Gavyn McArthur, Gavin Warner
Senior Choir: Maelah Barker, Isaac Ebert, Sarah Eckardt, Silas Gallentine, Isaac Kramer, Alease McLain, Elliot Peeling, Grahm Todd, Caleb Ward, Gavin Warner, Sebastian Wright
Senior Band: David Eckardt, Noelle Girton, Gavyn McArthur, Madeline Rogers, Alexya Tran
Band director Andy Eckardt expressed his pride in the students' dedication, stating, "These students put in considerable time and effort into their auditions, much of it spent without the assistance of their teachers. I'm really proud that their hard work has paid off, and I’m excited to see them perform with these all-star ensembles."
With the concert season around the corner, OJSHS musicians are more motivated than ever to continue refining their talents and representing the district at the highest levels.
Concert Schedule
Nov. 14: Fall Band Concert, 7 p.m., OJSHS Auditorium
Dec. 10: Winter Choir Concert, 3 p.m., OJSHS Auditorium
Dec. 14: Winter Band and Jazz Band Concert, 7 p.m., OJSHS Auditorium
For additional details on concert schedules and music program highlights, please contact the Oregon Junior Senior High School Music Department.
