Buffalo Grove student selected for national music ensemble

During the 2017-18 school year, along with other talented music students from across the United States and overseas in military base schools, Buffalo Grove High School senior Janelle Finton practiced with dedication to gain a chair or part in her local, district, and state music honor ensembles.

And now Janelle will join the "best of the best" for the National Association for Music Education's 2018 All-National Honor Ensembles from Nov. 25-28 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

This will be Janelle's second year involved in the NAfME ensembles. During the 2017-2018 school year, she was awarded the opportunity to participate in the concert band. This year she will perform as second trumpet in the jazz ensemble. To be awarded such a prestigious honor once is remarkable, but to receive it twice is exceptional.

Buffalo Grove's Director of Bands Henry Kappler describes Janelle as "a serious musician, student and leader, as she elevates the level of all musicians around her.

"It continues to be an honor to be her band director," said Kappler. "She continues to leave an impact on the bands at Buffalo Grove High School that will last for many years."

The All-National Honor Ensembles performers represent collaboration and creativity in its highest musical form. The All-National Honor Ensembles consist of a jazz ensemble, of which Janelle will participate, mixed choir, guitar ensemble (new this year), symphony orchestra and concert band.

Students were chosen through an audition process. The jazz ensemble will have 20 instrumentalists, the mixed choir will have 240 vocalists, the guitar ensemble will include 47 guitarists, the symphony orchestra will include 122 instrumentalists and the concert band will have 121 instrumentalists.

Eligible students have qualified for their state-level honor ensemble program (not applicable to guitar students) and competed against top students for a spot in these national honor ensembles.

Selected students will be rehearsing a challenging repertoire in preparation for performing under the baton of five of the most prominent conductors in the United States: Todd Stoll (jazz ensemble); Dr. Amanda Quist (mixed choir); Dr. Michael Quantz (guitar ensemble); Dr. Jean Montès (symphony orchestra); and Dennis Glocke (concert band).

All conductors have received top honors in their field and will spend several days rehearsing with students before the concert. For information, visit nafme.org/ANHE.