American Wind Band to honor scholarship winners at ‘Saturday Morning Soundtrack’ concert
American Wind Band’s “Saturday Morning Soundtrack” concert will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road in Elmhurst. At this concert, join in celebrating the student scholarship winners.
No tickets will be sold but donations, which are very much appreciated, will be accepted in support of the band.
The adult community band based in Downers Grove was created to promote and encourage the understanding and appreciation of concert band literature through performance.
Remember watching Saturday morning cartoons! The band will be performing “Animation (Episode 1: Wabbit!),” “Cartoon Symphony” (that includes themes from “The Flintstones,” “The Jetsons,” “The Simpsons,” “The Pink Panther,” and “Merrily We Roll Along”), “Pixar Movie Magic,” and classics used in many cartoons — “Night on Bald Mountain,” “Dance of the Comedians,” and “Barber of Seville.”
Since 2001, the band has endeavored to inspire talented young musicians by sponsoring our scholarship competition for eighth grade and high school band musicians. The scholarships are provided to encourage private music study or attendance at a band camp of the student’s choosing.
• Evangeline Selking (flute) will receive the Henrietta Kowalski Memorial Scholarship of $2,000. Evangeline attends Downers Grove South High School and studies privately with Laurel Tempas. She plays flute and piccolo with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and performed at Lollapalooza and Orchestra Hall. She participated in the ILMEA Honors Band in 2023, 2024 and 2026 and the ILMEA Honors Orchestra in 2025. In her free time, she reads and plays with her cat.
• Chloe Vasilakis (flute) will receive the Buik Family Scholarship of $1,500. Chloe is a senior at Plainfield North High School and studies privately with Annemarie Pedraza. She performs with the school’s wind ensemble and is also a Drum Major for the marching band. Chloe is the principal flute of the Naperville Youth Symphony Orchestra and was first chair this year for both ILMEA District 9 Orchestra and All-State Honors Band. Chloe is proficient in math and is captain of her school’s math team and is also president of the girls STEM club.
• Amelia Stewart (bassoon) will be presented the William and Nancy Moore Scholarship of $1,780. Amelia attends Park Junior High School in LaGrange Park and studies privately with Jessie Janik. She started violin at age 3, added piano at age 4, then picked up the clarinet and then transitioned to bassoon in 7th grade. Amelia keeps busy playing club soccer, competing on the swim team and volunteering as a math tutor for elementary students.
• Kyle Noel (clarinet) will be presented the Joe Zid Memorial Scholarship of $1,500. Kyle attends Herrick Middle School in Downers Grove and studies privately with Lacy Garbar. He began playing piano at 4 years old, later adding drums but then fell in love with the clarinet. He also plays flute, guitar and ukulele. Kyle recently released his first electronic album on a streaming platform and enjoys combining music composition and computer programming. In his free time, Kyle enjoys golf, swimming and theater.
While Joe Zid Sr. never played a musical instrument, he was a proud band dad supporting his children’s instrumental musical pursuits. He had a great love for concert bands, 40s big bands, and musicals. His family funded this scholarship in his memory.
The band will be performing at the Downers Grove Memorial Day service on Monday, May 26, at Fishel Park, 1036 Grove St. Then, on Sunday, June 7, join the outdoor concert at 3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 80, 4000 Saratoga Ave. in Downers Grove.
For information about becoming a member, donating to the band or advertising in future programs, visit americanwindband.org. Questions can be sent via email to americanwindbandil@gmail.com.