This page is used to highlight news and student and ensemble achievements within the music department at Elkhart Central High School. We hope you enjoy reading about our students and the exciting things happening in the music program at ECHS! The most recent news is listed first, with the date of entry.

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9/24/08 - Congratulations to the ECHS Blazer Brigade Marching Band and Color Guard on their recent performances! The group placed Fourth at the Goshen Invitational, also receiving the Best Drum Major Award. On September 20 they improved their overall score by 7 points and placed Fifth at a very competitive Concord Invitational. Way to go, Blazer Brigade!

7/5/08 - Congratulations to ECHS choir students Abbi Britton, Katie Dittman, and Beth Mathias and to band student Haillie Williams on a successful tour of Europe with the Indiana Ambassadors of Music. Along with ECHS vocal director and 175 others from the Hoosier State, the Ambassadors toured England, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Venice, perofrming five concerts. The Ambassadors of Music tour for sixteen days every two years and have had ECHS students selected in 2004, 2006, and 2008.

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5/29/08 - Congratulations to the entire ECHS music department on being named one of only four schools in Indiana to receive the 2007-2008 All-Music (Total Department) Award from the Indiana State School Music Association! This is the fourth time the entire department has received this award since the award's inception in 2002-2003.

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Congratulations to the ECHS Symphony Orchestra on their 4th place finish in the ISSMA State Finals!! What a great way to end the year!

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2/19/08 - Congratulations to the ECHS singers who performed on Saturday at the ISSMA state vocal/piano festival at Perry Meridian HS in Indianapolis! We were represented well, with Silver medalist soloists Beth Mathias and Hayley Whisler and with Gold medalist soloists Dustin Crump, Kelly Cassady, Ciera Sample, Zach Rivers, and Ashley Luers, as well as the ensemble of Kelly Cassady, Ciera Sample, Dustin Crump, and Zach Rivers, which received a Gold medal rating.  A great job was done by everyone.

02/11/08 - Congratulations to the ECHS instrumentalists who participated in the ISSMA solo and ensemble festival held on January 26 at Memorial HS!

Soloists receiving Gold ratings were Kelly Collins (violin), Julia Evans (violin), Josh Bamber (viola), Ashley Valentijn (viola), Bethany Holmes (cello), Allie Krawiec (cello), Chloe Anagnos (cello), Megan Ellis (cello), Janelle White (bass), Sol Perez (flute), Lauren Gowdy (flute), Marlee Case (flute), Joan Clawson (flute), Phil Bowers (alto saxophone), Adam Stutzman (trumpet), Andrew Martin (trumpet), Ethan Steele (trumpet), Layne Anspach (French horn), Gabe Fillio (trombone), Mitch Hannon (trombone), Chris Huang (baritone), Ian Clark (tuba), and Katie Bueter (marimba).

Orchestra Ensemble members receiving Gold ratings were Chloe Anagnos, Holli Birt, Kelly Collins, Emily Congdon, Kayla Curry, Megan Ellis, TeAnna Gonzalez, Erin Hayden, Bethany Holmes, Lorena Juarez, Allie Krawiec, Jordan Lambdka, Nidia Lopez, Tazmyn Mason, Katie Mathias, Ashley McCalop, Chenoa Mitchell, Erin Morrison, Lyndsey Mullins, Leslie Porter, Katelyn Sarber, Samantha Schultz, Ashley Valentijn, Kayla Werbianskyj, and Andrew Writght.

Band ensemble members receiving Gold ratings were Courtney Ballard, Travis Batie, Jordan Bischoff, Phil Bowers, Brice Brookshire, Melanie Brookshire, Katie Bueter, Marlee Case, Austin Conner, Sam Cooper, Freddie Craft, Kelsey Danning, Emily Delks, Gabe Fillio, Hillary Flatt, Mitch Hannon, Billy Harmon, Dinita House-James, Jessica Housour, Lauren Hughey, Laci Kraus, Matt LeMasters, Brittany Ludwig, Amanda Luscomb, Andrew Martin, Morgan Milliken, Stephen Nelson-Weaver, Katie Oakley, Jessica Parker-Wilfret, Sol Perez, Sam Que, Joe Raeder, Collin Rhoade, Brieanna Simmons, Kesley Stankovich ,Ethan Steele, Adam Stutzman, Hannah Taylor, Meghan Thornberg, Brian Waterman, Haillie Williams, and Bret Wilson.

Orchestra soloists receiving a Silver rating were Katelyn Sarber (violin), Marina Filer (violin), Leslie Porter (violin), Kari Huang (violin), Jenna Lawson (violin), Lyndsey Mullins (violin), Chenoa Mitchell (cello), and Andrew Wright (bass).

Band soloists receiving Silver ratings were Sarah Hampel (clarinet), Carleigh Johnson (clarinet), Sarah Wise (clarinet), Melanie Brookshire (oboe), Jacob Baldwin (trumpet), Matt LeMasters (trumpet), Nick Ianigro (tuba), and Zach Henke (multi-tenor).

Band ensemble members receiving a Silver rating were George Bruce, Theresa Carlson, Jeanette Cokinos, Megan Fann, Lizzie Glick, Andrea Gonzalez, Sarah Hampel, Aaron Hostetler, Michelle Houser, Chris Huang, Carleigh Johnson, Morgan Milliken, Amber Milroy, Harley Starr, and Meghan Thornberg.

Orchestra ensemble members receiving a Silver rating were Allie Krawiec, Jenna Lawson, Shelby Nickel, and Jenna Taylor.

Those from the ECHS orchestras entered to perform at the state ISSMA festival on February 23 include Kelly Collins, Bethany Holmes, Lyndsey Mullins, and Kayla Werbianskyj.

ECHS band members qualifying for the state ISSMA festival on February 23 are Layne Anspach, Courtney Ballard, Travis Batie, Jordan Bischoff, Phil Bowers, Brice Brookshire, Melanie Brookshire, Katie Bueter, Sam Cooper, Austin Connor, Freddie Craft, Kelsey Danning, Gabe Fillio, Hillary Flatt, Lauren Gowdy, Mitch Hannon, Billy Harmon, Jessica Housour, Chris Huang, Lauren Hughey, Laci Kraus, Brittany Ludwig, Amanda Luscomb, Stephen Nelson-Weaver, Sol Perez, Sam Que, Joe Raeder, Collin Rhoade, Adam Stutzman, Hannah Taylor, Brian Waterman, and Haillie Williams.

Congratulations to all of these fine musicians!!

02/06/08 - Congratulations to all of the students who sang at the ISSMA piano/vocal solo/ensemble festival on February 2! Receiving Gold ratings in Group I and going to the state level performances were soloists Ciera Sample , Dustin Crump, Hayley Whisler, Kelly Cassady, Ashley Luers, Zach Rivers, and Beth Mathias, as well as a mixed quartet of Kelly Cassady, Ciera Sample, Dustin Crump, and Zach Rivers. Also receiving a Group I Gold rating in but declining to perform in Indianapolis on February 16 was soloist Jonee Whatley. Overall, ECHS received 29 Gold ratings, 10 Silver ratings, and 3 Bronze ratings. Congratulations to all!

9/20/07 - Congratulations to our Blazer Brigade on their fine performances at the Goshen Invitational (2nd place) and at the Penn Invitational these past two weekends!

5/30/07 - We wish a fond farewell to Mrs. Jeanette Sagarsee, Assistant Choral Director, as she assumes new duties this fall teaching only elementary music in the Elkhart schools. With this change, we also welcome Mrs. Misty Grubbs, who comes to ECHS and Pierre Moran Middle School from Kentucky. Mrs. Grubbs will teach piano keyboarding and Blazer Chorale at ECHS as well as assist with Concert Choir; she will also work with the 7th and 8th grade choirs at Pierre Moran.

4/30/07 - Congratulations to the ECHS Symphonic Band under the direction of Tim Carnall, to the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kyle Weirich, and to the Concert Choir under the direction of Bill Niederer on their Gold ratings at the ISSMA Organizational Festival on April 28. All were in the Group I category, and special congratulations to both instrumental groups which received Gold ratings in sightreading!

4/24/07 - Congratulations to the ECHS music groups which performed last week at the ISSMA Organizational Festival held at Concord High School. The Concert Band under the direction of Dan Burton received a Gold rating in Group III, with a gold rating in sightreading as well. The Blazer Chorale under the direction of Jeanette Sagarsee received a Gold rating in Group III, with a gold rating in sightreading. The Men's Choir in Group IV received a Silver rating, and the Ninth Grade Women's Choir in Group IV received a Gold rating. Both of these choirs were under the direction of Bill Niederer and received comments on their sightreading which would indicate a gold level performance. Congratulations to all involved!!

3/19/07 - Congratulations to Dustin Crump, Zach Rivers, and Isaac Sanchez on being selected for the 2007-2008 Indiana All-State Choirs. This will be Dustin's second year in the All-State program!

3/3/07 - Congratulations to the members of the ECHS Jazz String Combo, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the "Shades of Blue" Show Choir, which all received Gold ratings at the Indiana State School Music Association's Jazz Festival. Due to weather and road conditions, the ECHS jazz bands were unable to travel to LaPorte for their scheduled times on the night before the strings and singers performed.

2/20/07 - Congratulations to ECHS trumpeter Greg Stutzman on being selected for the 2007 Indiana All-State Band! Congratulations also to trumpeter Gary Middleton for being selected as an alternate to this group!

1/31/07 - There has been a change in the date and time of the 2007 ECHS Commencement Exercises. Instead of June 1 at 7:00 pm, the graduation will be at 5:00 pm on Sunday, June 3.

1/31/07 - Congratulations to the singers who performed and "thank you" to all who helped ECHS to host the Indiana State School Music Association piano/vocal solo/ensemble festival last weekend!

11/13 - Congratulations to singer Jon Helpling on being selected for the 2007 Indiana All-State Jazz Choir, which will be performing at the January Indiana Music Educators conference in Indianapolis. This is Jon's second year in this select group. He is a member of the Concert Choir, "Shades of Blue," and Vocal Jazz Ensemble here at ECHS.

Congratulations to the Blazer Brigade on their Gold Ratings at ISSMA District and Regional Marching Band performances! A great end to a terrific season of excellence!!

9/14 - Congratulations to the ECHS Blazer Brigade on their 2nd place finish at the Goshen marching band competition this past weekend. The group also garnered the Best Drum Major Award! Great Job!!

7/13 - We at ECHS welcome Mr. Kyle Weirich as our new Orchestra Director. Mr Weirich comes to Elkhart from most recently teaching instrumental music in the East Noble School Corporation. He received his Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and his Master's degree from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago. His wife Tracey is a special education teacher and they have two children. Welcome!!

5/10 - It is with mixed feelings that the Music Department wishes Mr. Andrew Briddell "goodbye" for next year, as he will be serving as fulltime Activities Director at ECHS, no longer teaching orchestra. We wish him well in that capacity! The orchestra position has been posted in various places and interviews will begin shortly.

5/9 - Congratulations to the ECHS Symphonic Band under the direction of Tim Carnall on its Gold Rating (Group I) and "With Distinction" rating at the ISSMA Organizational events. Congratulations to the ECHS Symphony Orchestra on also achieving a Gold Rating (Group I) and "With Distinction" rating as well. They are under the direction of Andrew Briddell.

4/24 - ECHS was well represented this past week at the Indiana State School Music Association's organizational events. Receiving Gold Ratings were the Concert Band directed by Mr. Dan Burton (Group III), the Men's Choir directed by Mr. William Niederer (Group IV), and the Concert Choir (Group I) directed by Mr. William Niederer. Receiving Silver Ratings were the Chamber Orchestra directed by Mr. Andrew Briddell (Group III), the Blazer Chorale directed by Miss Jeanette Hensley (Group III) and the Ninth Grade Women's Choir directed by Mr. William Niederer (Group III). Congratulations to the many music students in these fine groups! The Symphony Orchestra directed by Mr. Andrew Briddell and the Symphonic Band directed by Mr. Tim Carnall will be performing this coming weekend at the State Qualifying events. Best of luck to them!!

3/21 - Congratulations to four ECHS students who were selected for the 2007 Indiana All-State Choirs, which will perform in January at the state music educators' convention! Those selected, with their voice part and choir assignment are: Jillian Borsa (soprano II, Women's Choir), Dustin Crump (tenor I, Men's Choir), Naomi Graber (soprano I, Mixed Choir), and Tommy Sailor (tenor I, Mixed Choir). These students auditioned at Concord High School earlier this month.

3/9 - A belated congratulations to the string students who performed at ISSMA district and state solo/ensemble festivals! Receiving Gold Ratings at district on solos in Group I were Kelly Collins (violin) and Bethany Holmes (cello); in Group II were Becky Rice (violin), Jill Eads (cello), Chenoa Mitchell (cello), and Katie Wright (cello). Receiving Silver Ratings at district on solos were Lacie Miller (violin), Lindsey Mullins (violin), and Rachel Ashcraft (viola). Ensembles receiving Gold Ratings in Group I were a string quartet of Jim Strycker, Kelly Collins, Brittany Bueter, and Jordan Wiebe-Powell, and a miscellaneous String Sextet comprised of Rachel Cooper, Ellen Gough, Erin Cooper, Katy Ellis, Katie Wright, and Bethany Holmes. Receiving Gold Ratings in Group III were a String Trio of Lisha Hill, Shaqib Habib, and Verketta Smith; a Violin Trio of Crystal Gonyon, Salem Cosme, and Melinda Caldwell; a Violin Trio of Amanda Middleton, Madison Blue, and Jordyn Stepp; a String Trio of Ariane LaRose, Rachel Ashcraft, and Chenoa Mitchell; a Miscellaneous Quartet of Christa Osterloo, Julia Robinson, Chenoa Mitchell, and Anna Davilla; and a Violin Quartet of Natosha Smith, Allison Gugel, Alex Belschner, and Kristie Laughlin. Receiving a Silver Rating in Group II was a Violin Trio of Lindsey Mullins, Christa Osterloo, and Julia Robinson.

At the ISSMA state solo/ensemble level, Kelly Collins (violin) and Bethany Holmes (cello) both received Gold Ratings, as did a String Quartet of Jim Strycker, Kelly Collins, Brittany Bueter, and Jordan Wiebe-Powell, and a Miscellaneous String Sextet comprised of Rachel Cooper, Ellen Gough, Erin Cooper, Katy Ellis, Katie Wright, and Bethany Holmes.

3/6 - Congratulations on a job well done to all of the ECHS music students who performed at the Indiana State School Music Association's Jazz Festival on Friday and Saturday, March 3 & 4! Receiving a Gold Rating in Group IV was a Jazz String Ensemble. Receiving a Silver Rating in Group III was the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. In Group II the "Shades of Blue" Show Choir & Combo received a Gold Rating, and in Group I the ECHS Jazz Ensemble received a Silver Rating. ECHS was well represented and all involved have much of which to be proud!!

3/1 - Congratulations to the following band students for their outstanding performances at North Central High School in Indianapolis this past Saturday for the ISSMA state solo and ensemble festival. Receiving Gold ratings were soloists Diahanna Ascencio (flute), Laci Kraus (flute), Lauren Gowdy (flute), Landon Anspach (trombone), Katie Bueter (snare drum, Chris Bueter (snare drum), Luke Anspach (snare drum), and Claire Harris (clarinet). Receiving Gold ratings in ensembles were Landon Anspach, Tim Vogel, Colin Rhoade, Andrew Hack, Laci Kraus, Jill Borsa, Claire Harris, Katie Butler, Greg Stutzman, and Gary Middleton. Receiving Silver ratings on solo performances were Luke Anspach (snare drum), Greg Stutzman (trumpet), Gary Middleton (trumpet), Katie Butler (alto sax), Austin Blue (bassoon). Receiving Silver ratings in ensembles were Katie Butler, Jennie Johnson, Austin Blue, and Phil Bowers.

3/1 - Congratulations to the vocalists who received Gold ratings in Group I at the state ISSMA district solo/ensemble festival at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis on Saturday, February 18 - soloists Aaron Hall, Lynlee Swartz, and Gabriella Sanfilippo, and girls' quartet members Jill Borsa, April Lowe, Alysan Lawson, and Kayla Morningstar.

2/13 - Best wishes to the vocalists who received Gold ratings in Group I at ISSMA district solo/ensemble and who chose to perform again at the state level on Saturday, February 18 - soloists Aaron Hall, Lynlee Swartz, and Gabriella Sanfilippo, and girls' quartet members Jill Borsa, April Lowe, Alysan Lawson, and Kayla Morningstar.

2/13 - Congratulations to the ECHS Jazz Ensemble on their fine performance at the Fort Wayne Snider Jazz Festival!

2/10 - Congratulations to all of the students who performed at ISSMA solo/ensemble on 1/28 and 2/4. You make ECHS proud!

2/10/06 - Congratuations to Claire Harris, Katie Butler, and Landon Anspach for being selected to the Indiana All-State Band, which will perform at Indiana University on March 12! Congratulations also to Gary Middleton, who was selected as a trumpet alternate! Great Job!!!

11/18 - Congratulations to junior Jon Helpling on being selected to sing with the Indiana All-State Jazz Choir. This group of 24 singers from around Indiana will perform at the January 13-14, 2006 Indiana Music Educators Association convention in Indianapolis. The jazz choir has been in existence only three years, and each year ECHS has had at least one student selected for membership.

10/20 - Congratulations to the Blazer Brigade on their Gold rating at the ISSMA Regional marching band event !

10/13 - Congratulations again to the Blazer Brigade on their Gold rating and their upcoming ISSMA Regional marching band competition in Chesterton!

10/10 - Congratulations to the new members of the ECHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble - Bradley Jacobs, Chelsea Slayter, Brittney Garver, Jon Helpling, Ronniesia Branch, Angellica May, D'Angelo Gills, Emily Gall, Kelly Cassady, and André Jackson! They'll make their performance debut at the Holiday Choral/Orchestral Concert in December.

9/26 - Congratulations to our Blazer Brigade on their great finishes in their marching competitions! They make ECHS proud!

7/13 - We welcome two new faculty members to the ECHS music program! Mr. Dan Burton comes to Elkhart Central and Pierre Moran Middle School to teach band, replacing Mr. Buckingham. Mr. Burton has taught band for a number of years in the Penn-Harris-Madison school district and more recently at Center Grove (south of Indianapolis). At ECHS Mr. Burton will assist with the marching band and conduct the Concert Band.

Miss Jeanette Hensley comes to the Elkhart schools from teaching the past three years in the John Glenn Community Schools. Miss Hensley, a graduate of Taylor University, will teach Piano Keyboarding, Blazer Chorale, and assist with the Concert Choir at ECHS. She will also teach at Riverview Elementary and Pierre Moran Middle School.

5/22- We at ECHS say goodbye at the end of the year to Mr. David Buckingham, Assistant Band Director, as he begins a new career in the outdoor adventure field in Utah. We also say goodbye to Mrs. Claudia Phipps, who continues in the vocal music field at Elkhart Memorial High School. Best wishes to both!!

5/22/05 - MANY CONGRATULATIONS to our ECHS Symphonic Band on their performance in the ISSMA state finals! The last time an ECHS band performed as one of the top 16 bands in the state was 1992. A great job was done by all!

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Hello, Dolly! The show was a big success and all had worked very hard to put on a good performance.

Congratulations to all of the students who performed at the ISSMA solo/ensemble events in January and February! Many of the ECHS students also qualified for the state level performances. Performing at instrumental state ISSMA were Seth Bowers (trumpet), Katie Butler (clarinet), Claire Harris (clarinet), Phil Bowers (saxophone), Felix Quazniscka (clarinet), Landon Anspach (trombone), and more! Performing at vocal state ISSMA were soloists Gabriella Sanfilippo, Naomi Graber, Colin Huff, Brigitte LaFortune, and a girls' barbershop quartet of Naomi Graber, Brigitte LaFortune, Samantha Crooks, and Lynlee Swartz.

The following Elkhart Central H.S. band students have been selected for the 2005 Indiana All-State Band: Claire Harris, clarinet; Landon Anspach, trombone; All-State Honor Band: Jordan Cavitt, bassoon; Seth Bowers, trumpet. Jordan Cavitt and Seth Bowers are both first chair, meaning they achieved the highest audition scores in the state on their instruments! Congratulations to all who auditioned! All-State Band Alternates are Katie Butler, clarinet, Johannes Stegmann, trumpet, and Chris Bueter, percussion.

12/13 - Congratulations to senior Martin Maldonado for being selected a second year to the Indiana All-State Jazz Choir. This group rehearses and then performs at the Indiana Music Educators Convention in Indianapolis in January 2005.

10/18 - CONGRATULATIONS to senior cellist Alice Corey on being selected for the Indiana All-State Orchestra! Bassoonist Jordan Cavitt was named as an alternate as well. Great job!!

10/18 - CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN to the Blazer Brigade Marching Band and Color Guard on their Gold rating at the Regional ISSMA Marching Competition! They give ECHS much to be proud of!!

10/13 - CONGRATULATIONS to the Blazer Brigade Marching Band and Color Guard on their Gold rating at District ISSMA Marching Competition! They move on to the Regional competition on Saturday, October 16. This fall the band and color guard have done a terrific job in their competitions around northern Indiana.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Elkhart Central High School Music Department for being one of only TWO recipients of the Indiana State School Music Association's All-Music (Total Department) Award for 2003-2004. ECHS is the only school to have achieved this recognition two years in a row. This award is earned through achieving Gold ratings at all of the following ISSMA events: marching band; band, orchestra, and vocal solo/ensemble (both a solo and an ensemble must have qualified for state level auditions); band, orchestra, and vocal jazz organization festival; band, orchestra, and vocal organizational festival.

4/1/04 - Eight students were selected for the 2005 Indiana All-State Choirs and will perform at the January 2005 Indiana Music Educators convention. They were selected following auditions in late March. Those eight are Rob Teall (second year), Kylie Krouse, Lauren Freve, Lynlee Swartz, Gabriella Sanfilippo, Darnell Sutton, Aaron Hall, and Kristina Brenneman. This has to be a record number of students ever selected from ECHS. Great job!

3/1/04 - Congratulations to all of the students who performed at the state ISSMA solo/ensemble auditions in February! Elkhart Central was well represented and all students made ECHS proud.

2/4/04 - Congratulations to all of the instrumentalists who performed at the ISSMA District solo/ensemble event on January 31 at EMHS! The names of students and their ratings will be posted here soon - watch for it!

12/19/03 - CONGRATULATIONS to Martin Maldonado and Kelly Nye for being selected to the first Indiana All-State Jazz Choir. They will rehearse on January 15 and 16 at the Indiana Music Educators Association convention and perform in concert on January 16. Only sixteen singers from around Indiana were selected to be part of this group.

10/28/03 - CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BLAZER BRIGADE on their FIFTH PLACE finish at the ISSMA Marching Band Finals for Class B!! This is the second straight year the ECHS band has achieved the distinction of marching at the state finals, and an improvement over last year's 8th Place!! WAY TO GO!!

10/07/03 - ON TO REGIONALS! The Blazer Brigade and Color Guard will be moving on to the ISSMA Marching Band Regionals in Carmel after having received a Division I rating at the District contest last Saturday. The Blazer Brigade also received the "Best Marching" award from the ISSMA event. Congratulations to all!!

09/29/03 - Congratulations to the Blazer Brigade and Color Guard on their 2nd Place Overall finish at the East Noble Marching Invitational on Saturday, September 27! The band also won the Best Music Award!!

09/16/03 - Congratulations to the Blazer Brigade and Guard on their third place finish overall at the Concord Invitational on Saturday, September 13! The guard placed second in their own judging - way to go!!

09/11/03 - Thank you to all of the music parents/guardians who came to the ECHS "Back to School Night" on September 8. We hope it was helpful for you. Please feel free to contact the appropriate faculty/staff when/if you have questions!

8/20/03 - Elkhart Central High School will be hosting the ISSMA Vocal and Piano Solo/Ensemble Auditions on February 7, 2004. Much help from students and parents/community members will be needed to host this event, with 15-20 performance rooms in action all day. If you would like to help, please contact Bill Niederer at ECHS (295-4752). Thank you!

Congratulations to the entire music department on being awarded one of only three All-Music Awards by the Indiana State School Music Association for 2002-2003!! In order to qualify for this award, all three areas of the music department (orchestra, band, choir) must have received at least one Gold Award at the Organizational Festival, had at least one solo and one ensemble qualify for the state solo/ensemble auditions, band and choir must have received a Gold Award at the Jazz Festival, and band must have received a Gold Award in District or Festival Marching. Music students at ECHS have shown their excellence through achieving all of the above recognitions. The award will be noted through a banner to be displayed at ECHS.

04/29/03 - Congratulations to the ECHS instrumental ensembles at ISSMA Organizational festival on April 25! Receiving a Gold Award in Group I (the highest level of difficulty) were the ECHS Symphonic Band and the ECHS Symphony Orchestra. Receiving a Gold Award in Group III were the ECHS Chamber Orchestra and the ECHS Concert Band. The orchestras are under the direction of Andrew Briddell, the Symphonic Band is conducted by Tim Carnall, and the Concert Band by David Buckingham. Congratulations to all who participated!

4/25/03 - Great performances by all choirs at the ISSMA Organizational Festival on April 24 at Concord!! Receiving Gold Award ratings were the Concert Choir (Group I) and the Blazer Chorale (Group III), and receiving Silver Award ratings were the Blazer Boulevard Singers (Group II), Men's Choir (Group III) and the Ninth Grade Women's Choir (Group III). The Concert Choir also received a Gold Award rating in the sightreading evaluation! A terrific effort by all!

4/24/03 - Congratulations to the members of the ECHS choirs who participated in the Gateway Music Festivals' New York City competition. About 40 students from ECHS were combined into one choir and placed third in their division, against choirs from as far away as Texas! It was a great trip - many thanks to the parents who served as chaperones!!

03/24/03 - Congratulations to junior Brittany Waterman and sophomore Robert Teall on being selected as part of the 2004 Indiana All-State Choir!! They were selected following their auditions Saturday at Memorial High School, performing a prepared selection and then sightreading. This is a huge honor and will lead to a performance with the choir at the Indiana Music Educators state conference in January 2004.

03/24/03 - Congratulations to the ECHS Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz Ensemble on their Gold Award ratings at the Indiana State School Music Association Jazz Festival on March 8. Both groups performed at LaPorte High School and did very well. Many thanks to the parents who support these outstanding musicians! The Jazz Band is directed by Tim Carnall and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble by Bill Niederer.

03/03/03 - The following choir students performed at the ISSMA state solo auditions in Indianapolis on March 1, receiving Division I ratings: Brittany Waterman, Julie Sciba, Gabriella Sanfilippo. Receiving Division II ratings were soloists Jennifer Fisher and Cassie Rabe. Congratulations to all!

2/28/03 - The following band and orchestra students earned a Division I rating at the Indiana State School Music Association state solo and ensemble auditions on February 22 in Indianapolis: Maria Schubert (violin), Alice Corey (cello), Landon Anspach (trombone), Michelle Hastings (flute), Bill Harris (trombone), Rachel Blough (viola), Amy Rockenbaugh (flute), Seth Bowers (trumpet), and Adam Wright (horn), as well as a string quartet comprised of Maria Schubert, Sarah Stutzman, Andrea Alert, and Alice Corey.The following students earned a second division rating: Amber Klein, Jordan Cavitt, Chris Bueter, Landon Anspach, Bill Harris, Tim Vogel, Janice Pietrzak, and Chris Harmon. Congratulations to all!

02/04/03 - Congratulations to all who participated in the ISSMA District Piano/Vocal Solo & Small Ensemble Auditions held on February 1 at South Bend Washington HS. Five entries will be performing on March 1 at the State Vocal Solo & Small Ensemble Auditions in Indianapolis, having received Division I ratings in Group I at District. Those are vocal soloists Cassie Rabe, Jennifer Fisher, Gabriella Sanfilippo, Julie Sciba, and Brittany Waterman.

Other entries receiving Division I ratings in Group I but electing not to perform at State are soloists Brittany Gableman, Clarissa Carr, Amy Eshenfelder, Beth Habegger, Colin Huff, and James Thomson, as well as a girls' barbershop quartet comprised of Beth Habegger, Emily Irwin, Lauren Freve, and Brittany Gableman and a large mixed ensemble comprised of Kristina Brenneman, Sara Bowlin, Lucy Harris, Julie Sciba, Mike Johnson, Brittany Waterman, James Thomson, Dan Weirich, Colin Huff, Nate Gowdy, and Matt Gill.. Entries receiving Division II ratings in Group I were soloists Emily Irwin, Sara Bowlin, Daniel Weirich, Cayla Campbell, William Martinez, Adam Comer, Kylie Krouse, and Lauren Freve.

Entries receiving Division I ratings in Group II were soloists Kristina Brenneman, Samantha Crooks, Rob Teall (vocal and piano), Tracy Seaver, and Felicia Lundy, as well as a large mixed ensemble, a large girls' ensemble, a large boys' ensemble. Receiving Division II ratings in Group II were two small girls' ensembles, and receiving a Division III rating in Group II was soloist Cassie Czarnecki. Receiving a Division II rating in Group III was soloist Robin Baker.

Again, congratulations to all who participated!!

01/28/03 - CONGRATULATIONS to Seth Bowers and Jordan Cavitt on being selected for the 2003 Indiana All-State Band following auditions earlier this month! Jordan will play 7th chair bassoon and Seth will be playing first chair trumpet in rehearsals and the All-State Band concert on March 16 at Indiana University, Bloomington. Congratulations also to their directors, Mr. Carnall and Mr. Buckingham!

01/22/03 - Best of luck to our vocal/piano music students as they perform at the ISSMA Solo/Ensemble Festival at SB Washington on Saturday, February 1 and to our instrumental music students as they perform in the ISSMA Solo/Ensemble Festival at Memorial HS on Saturday, February 8. These events are open to the public, free of charge!

10/29 - EIGHTH PLACE AT STATE IS GREAT! A huge congratulations to our Blazer Brigade on its eighth place finish at the Indiana State School Music Association Class "B" marching band finals! The whole Blazer community is very proud of the band, color guard, and of course its directors Tim Carnall, Dave Buckingham, and Sandy Carnall! Way to go!!

10/22 - Our Blazer Brigade is BOUND FOR STATE!!! For the first time in ECHS history, the ECHS marching band and color guard will be competing in state ISSMA competition as one of the ten schools in Class B at the RCA Dome this coming Saturday (10/26). The whole school is very proud of the band, the color guard, and its instructors!!

10/15 - Once again a terrific performance by the ECHS Blazer Brigade marching band and color guard! They swept the awards and were named Grand Champion at the invitational hosted by Fort Wayne Snider High School and held at Fort Wayne Wayne High School this past weekend! Congratulations to all involved - now on to the ISSMA Regionals!

10/7 - A BIG congratulations to our Blazer Brigade marching band and color guard on their Division I rating at the Indiana State School Music Association District marching festival on Saturday at Concord! Now On to Regionals!!!

9/23 - Congratulations again to the Blazer Brigade Marching Band on their sixth place finish at the Concord Invitational on September 21! Keep up the great work!!

9/18 - Congratulations to the Blazer Brigade Marching Band on their fourth place finish at the Goshen Invitational on September 14! The Color Guard placed third among color guards! A great start has now been made for the 2002 competition season!!

8/20/02 - Welcome to our new Orchestra Director, Mr. Andrew Briddell. He comes to ECHS from teaching in Alabama, where he also conducted the Birmingham Youth Orchestra. His Bachelor's degree is from Indiana University (Bloomington) and his Master's degree is from Temple University in Pennsylvania. His principal instrument is bassoon, and he and his wife and their daughter live in Elkhart.

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updated 09/25/08 by WN