Musical teens tops in performing and creating

Geneva High School junior Ethan Parcell has always loved music. He not only plays - both at school and as part of a trio at places around town - he also creates his own.

And last weekend, two of his compositions received all-state honors, selected to be performed at concerts during the Illinois Music Educators Association's All-State Conference. One, "Mosquito Boat," was a first-place winner.

He's not alone in receiving all-state recognition in the arts. Several band, orchestra and choral students were selected via audition to participate in the All-State Conference.

And earlier in January, senior Claudia Peterson was a member of the Tech Crew in the Illinois High School Theatre Festival's All-State production of "Hairspray." The all-state cast of the popular musical featured three St. Charles students, two from East and one from North.

As in the case of the high school musicians, selection for the all-state theater production is highly competitive. More than 400 actors, musicians and technicians from throughout Illinois auditioned to be part of "Hairspray."

Having so many students selected to participate in all-state events certainly seems to be quite a coup for the school and its music and theater programs.

"This is the first time that I'm aware of in GHS history that we've had someone make it for composition," said a proud and pleased Pat Frederick, leader of the GHS band program. "This is unique for us."

Orchestra director Julie Lawrence-Loucas is equally pleased and proud of her two students who participated. Junior Eric Windmeier was named the principal bassist of the Honors Orchestra.

"In other words, he was named the best of the best in the state of Illinois," she said. Senior Ann Zuzuly performed with the All-State Orchestra, and was second chair in the Violin II section, of about 30 Violin IIs in that orchestra.

In the choirs, senior Brooke Goodman, Alto I, and Kristyn Ruitenberg, a junior and an Alto II, sang in the All-State Chorus. Junior Chris Hanson, a Tenor I, and senior Corbin McGhee, Tenor II, performed with the All-State Honors Chorus.

In the bands, Alec Watson - who coincidentally plays with Parcell in a trio in their off-school hours - performed as the solo pianist in the Honors Jazz Combo, the highest individual position a student could earn, Frederick said.

As in instrumentalist (as opposed to a composer) Parcell had been a runner-up for the conference. However he ended up performing after another drummer dropped out. He played in the All-State Honors Jazz Band, the higher of the two jazz bands at the festival.

The GHS directors were effusive in their praise for their students, and all mentioned the talent necessary to be selected to be part of these statewide groups.

"I believe this is the most varied number of categories students have ever been selected for, and we have continued to increase the number of students selected over the past several years," said Roxanne Curtis, who directs the choral program at GHS.

"These students are selected from thousands of students who audition throughout the state, so this is a huge honor."

"It's a very competitive thing, and we are so proud of our students," said Lawrence-Loucas.

GHS had a record number of students selected to participate at the district level in the fall. Participation at the state level was the result of auditioning at the district level.

For Parcell, having music he created selected and performed was incredible.

"I prepared four pieces," said Parcell, a percussionist. He composed a string quartet (chamber ensemble category), a piano rag (solo keyboard), a long piece of meditation music (electronic) and a jazz composition. The meditation selection placed second and his jazz contribution, "Mosquito Boat" took first place.

It's quite possible area residents have heard Parcell play, as part of the Sketches Trio. He, Watson and Jess Bielenberg perform together - and have for years - making music around town, such as at Graham's 318 in downtown Geneva. In fact, it was at Graham's 318 that the three performed "Mosquito Boat" in public for the first time.

Parcell asked conference organizers if the three could play during the conference, a request that was granted.

Greg Parcell, Ethan's dad, loved the experience of hearing his son's music at the conference.

"We were proud parents, obviously," he said. "And we enjoyed not only hearing his compositions but also those of the other kids. The amount of talent these kids have is just amazing."

And just think: a number of these talented all-state kids are right here in our own school and town.

Drop me a line: There are thousands of people in the tri-cities who spend thousands of hours a year volunteering for an incredible array of worthy causes.

But some of you were inspired to roll up your sleeves as a result of President Barack Obama's call to service during the recent Martin Luther King holiday, just before his inauguration.

• I'd like to hear from those of you who took your cue from the president, in deciding the time is now to volunteer. Please e-mail me at bbales10@ameritech.net.