A Pair of Saint Viator Fine Arts Students Selected for Prestigious Concert Festival
It happens every fall, when Illinois band and choral students are invited to submit audition tapes to be considered for the Illinois Music Education Association Band and Choral festivals. It’s not an easy process, and involves recording multiple cuts and scales. But Ryder Schuch ‘24 and Katie Strzyzynski ’26 completed all the steps and in October, and they were accepted.
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They both performed Nov. 4 at Glenbrook South High School, with their respective ensembles. Ryder performed on trumpet with the senior Concert Band and Katie sang soprano with the senior Concert Chorus.
“I wanted to challenge myself by learning these choral pieces,” Katie says. “I knew that ILMEA would be an amazing opportunity to grow as a singer and learn by being surrounded by very talented high school vocalists.”
For Ryder, who plays trumpet, it was his third selection, and each year he says it does not disappoint.
“It’s a thrill to play with so many very talented musicians,” he says. “The fullness and quality of sound is unmatched, having so many diverse instruments.”
This year, he and the other musicians performed under the direction of Catharine Sinon Bushman, an Associate Professor and Music Department Chair at St. Cloud University in Minnesota. Their wide-ranging selections opened with a Sousa march and got progressively harder from there.
One of the pieces really resonated with Ryder. Called “A Song for Tomorrow,” it was written by contemporary composer Kevin Day in memory of his high school classmate, who had died tragically.
“It was an incredible lyrical song,” Ryder says. “With the strong low brass and reeds section, this piece gave me the chills as I played it.”
Katie and the large Festival Chorus performed under the direction of Margaret Burk, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Carthage College in Kenosha, though like Ryder, she rehearsed throughout the day with different collegiate directors.
“My favorite piece was Arirang by Hyo-Won Woo which was sung in Korean,” Katie says. “Although a very difficult piece to learn and perform, the contrasting dynamics and tempos made the song so fun to perform for the audience.”
Auditions for this district honor band are extremely competitive and rigorous. Only 33% of those high school students who submit audition materials are selected.
Once chosen, students independently prepare four selected pieces. Two weeks later, those students gather for one full day to rehearse, which culminates with a performance concert. Clinicians from all over the country participate in this festival of music.
Both Rachel Brochu, Saint Viator’s Choral Director, and Anetta Fortner, Band Director, encourage their students step up their game and audition for this large-scale, prestigious festival.
“I encourage students to audition so that they can receive excellent instruction from a renowned conductor during the festival,” Ms. Brochu says, “”and have the experience of singing in a large, high-level chorus.”
Saint Viator High School
Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Saint Viator High School is a private, co-ed, Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.