The Chesterton High School Symphonic Orchestra traveled to Warsaw Community High School in Warsaw, Ind. this past Friday evening to compete in the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) organizational ensemble competition where they qualified for state.

The CHS Orchestra’s repertoire included: Casus Belli by Andrew Boysen, Jr., String Symphony in Four Cycles by Tibor Serly, and March to the Scaffold by Hector Berlioz. “The quality of music organizations in Indiana is known and respected around the country so, every year the competition for a position in our state finals is fierce,”said Vincent Arizzi, CHS Orchestra director.

“I was very proud of our students’ performance. They did a great job, but afterwards all we could do was nervously wait and hope that it was enough to make the cut,” Arizzi continued.

This event is designed specifically for those high school bands and orchestras that perform music of an advanced nature and that wish to compete for a position at the ISSMA State Concert Finals in Indianapolis. Groups that choose to compete in this event are required to perform three pieces, two of which must come from what is known as the Indiana Group I repertoire list compiled and provided by ISSMA.

The CHS Symphonic Orchestra will perform in the ISSMA State Concert Competition this Saturday, May 9 at Warren Central High School. The group's performance time is 12:25 p.m. EST.

Members of the CHS Symphonic Orchestra include: First Violins-Kari Krafft, Hannah Vavrek, Katrina Roman, Andy Hanson, Michelle AmRhein, Sarah Fischer, Dakota McCoy, Alec Turner, Kevin Miloshoff and Jacob Pruitt; Second Violins-Ashleigh Marlow, Amanda Holt, Jessica Amling, Katie Vallangeon, Rana Torabi, Nick Brahos, Melissa Lewis, Jacob Szczudlak, Julia Puent, Jessica O’Brien and Tabitha Eggers; Violas-Alexander Buff, Kevin Kokesh, Josh Szczudlak, Jordan Garza, Toni Kuziela and Kyle Ludington; Cellos-D.J. Gallagher, Nicole Vasconi, Ali Johnson, Steven Taylor, Madeline Plesac, Christa Cundiff, Brittney Biddle and Jake Deiotte; Basses-Jack Lemmer, Matt Keeley, Emily Pavlovic and Donny Puent; Woodwind, Brass and Percussion members include-Megan English, Megan Gillespie, Bria Valdez, Beau Rasco, Sam Hickle, Bethany Napier, Kaylie Collins, Clay Thomas, Tori DeMoss, Max Sangerman, Neil Hicks, Davis Benson, Allison Bodza, Haylea Himes, Ryan Leeth, Cate Rinchak, Andrew Kay, Breanna White, D.J. Rizer, John Vallangeon, Elliot Borg, Charlie Cross, Lucas Baughman, Mavric Price and Michael Jankowicz.

For additional information, please contact the CHS Music Deprtment at 983-3730.

Posted 5/4/2009