Maine South Wind Ensemble Earns State Honor

The Maine South Wind Ensemble was selected to the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival, which is considered by many to be state championships for band.

Maine South's group was selected after creating a professional recording that was evaluated by judges across the country.

"This is a massive accomplishment, and I wanted to congratulate band directors David Hutter and Andy Burkemper for their extraordinary work and effort with our students," said Maine South Principal Ben Collins.

The Maine South Wind Ensemble will perform in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois Saturday, May 7, with the other best bands who also received this honor.

Maine South will compete in the 2A division.

The event is not scored by judges, but instead is a celebration and an honor to perform at the event.

"This is the highest recognition a band in the state can receive, and is the equivalent to any other activity 'making state,'" Hutter said. "This is only the second time in school history that we have made SuperState, even though we've submitted tapes many times.

"This recognition is a major reflection of the great students we have across our entire program," Hutter said. "The mindset, work ethic, camaraderie, and passion from freshman to senior year in every band class creates a setting for something like this to happen.

"Plus, the fact that we were able to accomplish so much after the craziness of the last two years speaks to how well we handled virtual and hybrid learning as a band. Kudos to all of the students who stayed devoted and practiced in their rooms and made a ton of recordings to grow as musicians."

To learn more about this event, www.bands.illinois.edu/superstate-2022-1.