MusicNews

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.

Congratulations to the Group I entries from Central - the Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra both received Gold ratings high enough to qualify for the state finals! This is the second year in a row for the Orchestra and the second time in four years for the Band. They will perform again on May 9 in Indianapolis. The Concert Choir received a Gold rating but scores were not high enough to qualify for state.

04/27/09 - Congratulations to the music groups which performed this past weekend at the ISSMA organizational festival! The Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra, and Blazer Chorale all received Gold ratings in Group III while the Ninth Grade Women's Choir and the Men's Choir received Silver ratings in Group IV.

03/09/09 - Congratulations for a job well done by our Central Jazz Strings, Jazz Band, and "Shades of Blue" Show Choir. All three organizations received a Gold rating at the ISSMA Jazz Festival held in LaPorte on Saturday, March 7.

03/05/09 - Congratulations to the Blue Fusion dance team for their performance at State on Saturday! They placed 5th in Jazz and 7th in Hip Hop! Congrats on a great season team and for being a great representative of Central!

03/02/09 - Congratulations to the ECHS singers who performed at the ISSMAstate vocal/piano solo and small ensemble festival on Saturday in Indianapolis. Receiving gold ratings were Dustin Crump, Katie Dittman, Hayley Whisler, Anna Jacobson, Ashley Luers, and Michael Goins. Receiving silver ratings were Jonee Whatley and Abbi Britton. Congratulations to all!

02/24/09 - Congratulations to all of the ECHS band and orchestra students who participated in the ISSMA state solo and ensemble festival in Indianapolis on Saturday. Nineteen events earned gold ratings and four events earned silver ratings.

Soloists earning a gold rating were Layne Anspach, horn; Josh Bamber, viola; Andy Braden, bassoon; Brice Brookshire, trombone; Ian Clark, tuba; Gabe Fillio, trombone; Chloe Floyd, snare drum; Mitch Hannon, trombone; Billy Harmon, trombone; Sol Perez, flute; Sam Que, alto sax; and Gaby Schleining, flute.

Soloists earning a silver rating were Julia Evans, violin; Nick Ianigro, tuba; Cody Kraus, snare drum; andAshley Valentijn, viola.

Ensembles earning a gold rating were a string quartet including Shelby Nickel, Julia Evans, Josh Bamber and Chenoa Mitchell; a string quartet including Jenna Lawson, Allison Gugel, Lauren Army and Megan Ellis; a string quartet including Erin Hayden, Helen Corey, Josh Bamber and Chloe Anagnos; a flute trio including Sol Perez, Gaby Schleining and Marlee Case; a sax trio including Sam Que, Cameron Ponce and Kate Fann; and a trombone quartet including Brice Brookshire, Billy Harmon, Mitchell Hannon and Gabe Fillio.

02/11/09 - Congratulations to all of the Central High School instrumental music students who participated in the ISSMA solo and ensemble festival held at Memorial High School on February 7!

Orchestra soloists receiving a Gold rating were:violin - Julia Evans, Josh Bamber, Katelyn Sarber, and Alejandro Genis; viola - Josh Bamber, Ashley Valentijn, and Leslie Porter; cello - Chloe Anagnos, Megan Ellis, and Elise Mitchell. Orchestra soloists receiving a Silver rating were Kayla Curry (violin) and Allie Krawiec (cello).

Orchestra ensemble participants receiving a Gold rating were Chloe Anagnos, Lauren Army, Josh Bamber, Helen Corey, Kayla Curry, Becca Davila, Megan Ellis, Julia Evans, Alejandro Genis, Alison Gonyon, Kayla Gonzalez, TeAnna Gonzalez, Allison Gugel, Erin Hayden, Abbey Hobson, Jenna Lawson, Ashley McCalop, Chenoa Mitchell, Shelby Nickel, Jordyn Nutting, Bianca Picking, Leslie Porter, and Emily Woods. Orchestra ensemble participants receiving a Silver rating were Elise Mitchell, Gabby Moreno, Mikayla Munn, and Maria Rocha.

Band students participating in the district festival who received Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals were soloists Layne Anspach, Andy Braden, Brice Brookshire, Melanie Brookshire, Marlee Case, Ian Clark, Joan Clawson, Joe Clawson, Kelsey Daning (2), Gabe Fillio, Chloe Floyd, Mitch Hanburg, Mitch Hannon, Bill Harmon, Betsy Hoover, Jessica Housour, Nick Ianigro, Carleigh Johnson, Cody Kraus (2), Matt Lemasters, Amanda Luscomb, Chelsey Lynch, Josiah Lytell, Andrew Martin, Briqlin Mohrman, Clara Ott, Sol Perez, Sam Que, Gaby Scheinling, Ethan Steele and Adam Stutzman.

Band ensemble participants receiving district medals were Layne Anspach (2), Jordon Bischoff, Andy Braden, Brice Brookshire, Melanie Brookshire, Marlee Case, Isaha Cook, Taylor Davis, Kate Fann, Gabe Fillio (2), Mitch Hannon, Billy Harmon, Aric Hopper, Jessica Housour (2), Amanda Luscomb, Sol Perez, Cameron Ponce (2), Sam Que, Gaby Scheinling, and Ethan Steele.

Students entered in Group I qualifying for participation in the ISSMA state solo and ensemble festival in Indianapolis on February 21 are Layne Anspach, Andy Braden, Brice Brookshire (2), Marlee Case, Ian Clark, Kate Fann, Gabe Fillio (2), Chloe Floyd, Mitch Hannon (2), Bill Harmon (2), Nick Ianigro, Cody Kraus, Sol Perez (2), Cameron Ponce, Sam Que (2), Gaby Scheinling (2), Ethan Steele,Chloe Anagnos, Lauren Army, Josh Bamber, Helen Corey, Megan Ellis, Julia Evans, Allison Gugel, Erin Hayden, Jenna Lawson, Chenoa Mitchell, Shelby Nickel, and Ashley Valentijn.

02/11/09 - Congratulations to the following ECHS band members who were selected to be members of the 2009 Indiana All-State Bands! They will perform at Purdue University on Sunday, March 15.

2/2/09 - Congratulations to the ECHS piano and vocal students who participated in the ISSMAsolo and ensemble festival held January 31 at Clay High School! 26 entries received Gold ratings, 8 entries received Silver ratings, and 2 entries received Bronze ratings. Receiving Gold ratings in Group I and electing to perform at ISSMA state solo and ensemble were soloists Anna Jacobson, Abbi Britton,Sara Roberts, Jonee Whatley, Hayley Whisler, Ashley Luers, Katie Dittman, Michael Goins, and Dustin Crump. Also receiving Gold ratings in Group I were soloists Kelly Cassady, Beth Mathias, Ciera Sample, Zach Rivers, and Isaac Sanchez as well as a boys' barbershop of Trevor Allen, Isaac Sanchez, Dustin Crump, and Zach Rivers, a mixed quartet of Kelly Cassady, Ciera Sample, Zach Rivers, and Dustin Crump, and a large mixed ensemble of Jessica Ritchie, Ashley Luers, Whitney Luers, Ciera Sample, Isaac Sanchez, Trevor Allen, Dustin Crump, and Zach Rivers.

Receiving Silver ratings in Group I were vocal soloists Lauren Crump, Amanda Zaidel, Nick Glass, Jessica Ritchie, and Whitney Luers, along with piano soloist Mitch Hannon.

Receiving Gold ratings in Groups II and III were soloists Anna Jacobson (piano), Emily Yu, Destiny Lord, Valentina Sanfilippo, Mackenzie Klahr, Katie Mathias, Kayla Sawyer, and Destinee Stoll, along with a girls' sextet of Amanda Zaidel, Alyssa St. Germain, Shannon Link, Alexandria Heathman, Elizabeth Royal, and Dinita House-James.

Receiving a Silver ratings in Group II was Mackenzie Klahr (piano). Receiving Bronze ratings in Group III were soloists ChiAnna Olinger and Mackayla Greene.

10/20/08 - Congratulations to the Blazer Brigade on their season-ending Gold rating at the ISSMA regional competition Saturday. While the rating wasn't high enough to move on to the Semi-State, it was their best performance of the year and one of which all Blazers can be proud. Thank you to all band and color guard members and to their directors for a fine season!

10/8/08 - Congratulations to the Blazer Brigade on their Gold Rating at the ISSMA District marching band competition! They now go on to the ISSMA Regionals on October 18.

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!

********************************

9/11/08 - ECHS will be well represented in the Goshen College High School Honor Choir this year. Singing in this group will be Jereck Dooley, Kelly Cassady, Ashley Luers, Hayley Whisler, Katie Dittman, Becca Royal, Jessica Rollins, Dustin Crump, Chase Kovatch, Isaac Sanchez, Juan Alarcon, Anthony Miller, and Zach Rivers. They will rehearse a number of times and then perform Schubert's Mass in G with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra at Goshen College's Music Center on November 15.

********************************

9/11/08 - Congratulations to Kelly Cassady, Dustin Crump, Anna Jacobson, Ashley Luers, Zach Rivers, Isaac Sanchez, and Hayley Whisler on being selected for the 2008-2009 Indiana All-State Honors Choir after auditions last week! This is the largest group from ECHS selected in several years.They will perform at the Music Educators National Conference convention in Indianapolis in January.

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.

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.

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

4/28/08 - Congratulations to the ECHS Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band on their Gold ratings at the ISSMA Organizational Festival at Penn High School on April 25 and 26. A special congratulations to the Symphony Orchestra on qualifying for the state organizational finals on May 2!! This is a high honor and one which is well-deserved.

4/21/08 - Congratulations to the music groups which performed at the Indiana State School Music Association's Organizational Festival this past week and weekend! Receiving a Gold rating in Group I was the ECHS Concert Choir under the direction of William Niederer. Receiving Gold ratings in Group III were the Concert Band under the direction of Dan Burton and the Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Kyle Weirich. In Group III and receiving a Silver rating was the Blazer Chorale under the direction of Misty Grubbs. Group IV ensembles receiving Gold ratings were the Men's Choir and the Ninth Grade Women's Choir. Many congratulations to all on their hard work.

3/3/08 - Congratulations to the ECHS jazz ensemble directed by Mr. Tim Carnall, jazz string ensemble directed by Mr. Kyle Weirich, and the "Shades of Blue" show choir directed by Mr. William Niederer on their Gold ratings at the ISSMA Jazz/Show festivals on March 1. All three groups performed very well and make ECHS proud!

3/3/08 - Congratulations to the ECHS Winter Guard on their fourth place finish at Homestead this past weekend! They will move on to the state competition in Indianapolis on March 8 - best of luck!

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.

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!

01/29/08 - Congratulations to all of the Central High School Orchestra students who participated in the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival at Memorial HS. Seventeen orchestra events earned Gold ratings and nine events earned Silver ratings. Special congratulations to the following musicians who earned a Gold rating in Group I and will advance to the State Solo and Ensemble Festival on February 23: Kelly Collins, violin soloist; Bethany Holmes, cello soloist; and the string quartet including Kelly Collins, Lyndsey Mullins, Kayla Werbianskyj, and Bethany Holmes. Great job, musicians!

********************************

10/22/07 - Congratulations to the Chamber and Symphony Orchestras for their outstanding performances at the String Festival on October 11. Both groups sounded excellent and looked wonderful in their new formal concert wear. It was clear that they worked very hard to prepare for this concert. Great job musicians!

********************************

10/15/07 - Congratulations to the Blazer Brigade on their Gold Rating at the Indiana State School Music Association's Regional Marching Competition. A fine end to a great season!

********************************

10/3/07 - Congratulations to the Blazer Brigade on their Gold Rating at the Indiana State School Music Association's District Marching Festival. They will now move on to the ISSMA Regionals!

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!!

9/14/06 - 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!!