Wheeling High School Student Goes to Music For All
Local Student to Represent Illinois in Music for All's 2019 Honor Band of America
Submitted by Lisa Freeman
Kyle Mesa, a senior at Wheeling High School, will join other outstanding musicians from across the nation as part of Music for All's 2019 Honor Band of America. Mesa was selected from numerous applicants for membership in this prestigious honor ensemble. Mesa is the son of Fred and Christine Mesa. Mesa is a member of the Wind Symphony, Jazz 1 and Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Malek.
Mesa plays the trumpet and was selected by audition to rehearse and perform in concert as part of the Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha, March 14-16 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Honor Band of America is recognized as one of the finest scholastic ensembles in America.
Mesa joins fellow Honor Band of America members from 24 states, representing 73 high schools. Ray Cramer, Professor Emeritus, Indiana University, is the 2019 conductor.
The Honor Band of America will perform in concert at 8:00 p.m. March 16 at Clowes Memorial Hall, located on the campus of Butler University. Members will also participate in instrumental master classes and other gala Festival events and socials.
Kyle Mesa began his musical career by playing piano at age 5 and trumpet in 5th grade. Throughout high school, Kyle has been an integral member of the top bands at Wheeling High Schools Fine Arts Music Program. He also was a selected member to perform in the District 214 Honors Concert Band and Orchestra. In addition, Kyle also made ILMEA District 7 for Jazz and Concert Band. This year, he was selected among the top musicians to perform in the IMEA All-State Honors Jazz Band 2019 and was lead trumpet. He plans to go into Music Education / Jazz Studies. Kyle is honored to be a part of the 2019 Music for All Honor Band of America.
Members were selected by recorded audition, evaluated by leading music educators. "To be selected from among their peers for membership in this national ensemble is a great achievement and honor," says James P. Stephens, Jr., Director of Advocacy and Educational Resources for Music for All. "The 2019 Honor Band of America members are ambassadors of America's music programs, as well as their states, schools, and
communities."
The Music for All National Festival will bring nearly 3,000 of America's most outstanding school musicians to Indianapolis and includes the National Concert Band Festival, the Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival, the Chamber Music National Festival, the Orchestra America National Festival, and the National Choir Festival, all taking place simultaneously in major venues throughout Indianapolis. In addition to the many performance and audience opportunities, students at the Music for All National Festival participate in Master Classes taught by some of the leading music instructors in the country, as well as a motivational sessions and social events. In addition to the Honor Band of America, the Festival includes two other national honor ensembles, the Honor Orchestra of America and the Jazz Band of America. In its 28 th year, the Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha is an annual program of Music for All, one of the nation's largest and most influential organizations in support of active music making, headquartered in Indianapolis.
A full schedule of Festival ensemble concerts, times and locations is available at www.musicforall.org/festival, or for more information call 800-848-BAND (2263).
About Music for All
Since 1975, Music for All has set the standard for scholastic music ensemble performance and music education advocacy. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization, Music for All's mission is to create, provide, and expand positively life-changing experiences through music for all, working to ensure that every child in America has access to active music making in his or her scholastic environment. Music for All's advocacy efforts inspire and develop models and strategies for successful music programs, including the Advocacy in Action Awards and programs for underserved communities. Music for All draws more than 500,00 attendees each year - including more than 125,000 students - with 45+ annual events, including the prestigious Bands of America Grand National Championships and Regional Championships for marching bands, the Music for All Summer Symposium camp for students and teachers, and the Music for All National Festival for bands, orchestras, choirs, percussion and chamber ensembles. Music for All also presents affiliate regional music festivals and national student honor ensembles including the Bands of America Honor Band that will march for the fifth time in the Rose Parade® in 2021.
For more information and to support the efforts of Music for All, visit www.musicforall.org.