Clarendon Hills Middle School band director Eric Morong couldn’t be prouder of the school’s eight-grade band, which has been selected to perform at the University of Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival May 5 in Urbana.
The CHMS band was one of only eight middle school bands from Illinois chosen to participate in the festival, which also includes several high school bands in three classes, based on school enrollment.
In order to be considered, bands needed to submit recordings of performances, which were reviewed by judges. Recordings were sent by Feb. 21, and bands were notified of their acceptance March 31. This is the first time in 10 years that CHMS has been chosen to play at the festival.
“I was very excited when I found out that we had been selected,” Morong said. “These kids really got hit by COVID the last couple of years, so there was a lot of remote learning in what we were doing. Even when we were able to get back together, we meet in two separate classes, not together, so we only have everyone playing together when we meet two or three times before a performance.”
Morong said he believes judges were most impressed by the musicianship of the individual players in CHMS’s 38-member band.
“This is one of the smallest groups we’ve had, but we get a big sound,” Morong said. “We have an outstanding percussion section, and everyone in this band really enjoys playing together.”
While CHMS was up against other middle schools from around the state for a spot in the festival, there is no competition while playing there.
“It’s just a great opportunity for our band to be selected to participate,” Morong said.
Laura Deppe and Nathan Brown are two members of the strong percussion Morong mentioned. Laura has been playing for four years and Nathan for three.
“I have to say being chosen for SuperState completely shocked me,” Laura said. “As a middle school band, I expected we would not make it because so few are chosen. I am most excited about the experience awaiting me and to show my passion towards my instrument in front of a new crowd.”
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Nathan said he also was very excited about performing at the festival.
“It’s a real honor,” he said. “I think it will be a lot of fun, and it’s great because we’ve put in so much work.”
Avery Croff has been playing flute for four years and is looking forward to performing in the festival with the rest of the CHMS band.
“Our band has great chemistry, and we’re excited for the opportunity to represent our school on such a grand stage,” Avery said. “I know, as a band, we’re thrilled to end our middle school experience with this big honor and chance to showcase our skills. Everyone has worked to improve to be their best musician, and we can’t wait to perform.”
Avery, Laura and Nathan all gave kudos to Morong.
“We are very fortunate to have Mr. Morong as our dedicated band director,” Avery said. “He strives to help us improve individually and collectively.”
Laura said Morong gives outstanding feedback to each band member, “so we can learn from our mistakes instead of ignoring them.”
“Mr. Morong brings so much energy each and every day to the band room,” Laura said. “I feel like I’ve never seen him have a bad day.”
Nathan said Morong works very hard as a director and pushes the band members to work hard.
“He picks pieces that are challenging and then helps us play them better,” Nathan said. “He really has a lot of faith in us, and that makes us work harder and perform better.”
Along with Avery, Laura and Nathan, the band includes Sophie Abitz, Emma Andrzejewski, Joseph Szot and Walter Tims, flute; Katie Tonjes, oboe; Kathy Gu and Mary Malham, clarinet;
Mia Salbego, bass clarinet; Elias Danko, Ethan Danko, Rahul Devulapally and Lucas Will, alto saxophone; Nikhil Rao, tenor saxophone; John Saunders, baritone saxophone; Sophia Admire, MarkDillenburg, Luke Gabriel, Bailey Knoll, Tildy Kucklick, Kiran Patel,
Nathan Patel and Deniz Yankol, trumpet; Abigail Woodbury, French horn; Erick Chavez, Samuel Gilman and Bjorn Vinje, trombone; Colin DeKuiper and Seamus O’Meara, euphonium; Sahi Bonthala and Abigail Dalton, tuba; and Auden Bunnow, Joanna Marsten, Jack Sefton, Steven Zhao and Zachary Tallard, percussion.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.