On March 15th, School District 146’s Central Middle School hosted the Illinois Grade School Music Association District 6 Organization Band Contest. Central Middle School had both its Concert Band and Symphonic Band as participants in the event with 13 other schools. Each school performed for three judges that rated their performance. The bands competed to earn a rating of a Division 1 as the highest achievement. Both Central Middle School bands each received Division 1 ratings.
The Symphonic Band also recently travelled to Normal, IL to compete in the State of Illinois Invitational Band Festival held at Illinois State University on Saturday, April 12th. Students performed with eight other bands throughout the state. A judging panel of three listened to each band’s performance and provided educational feedback on their abilities. The CMS Symphonic Band took home the 1st place title and was named the State of Illinois Grand Champion.
On Friday May 9th, the Symphonic Band will travel to the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Champaign, Illinois to compete in the Illinois SuperState Band Competition Invitational. In order to participate in this highest-level competition, bands are required to submit an audition tape. The Bands are then chosen to attend based on their performance level. This year, the Central Middle School Symphonic Band received the nod, and is one of nine bands selected from throughout Illinois. Central Middle School Band Director, Mr. Jason Freeland said, “Being selected as part of this premier concert event in the State of Illinois is a great honor. The invitation alone is without a doubt one of the highest honors the students can receive. It shows how much the students have musically grown to achieve such an accomplishment. The Symphonic Band students will be performing on stage at Krannert Center’s Foellinger Great Hall for internationally respected conductors. Personally, I cannot wait to see and hear them perform at the University of Illinois – this certainly has been an exciting spring.”
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For more information about the Band program at CMS, please contact Mr. Jason Freeland at jfreelan@district146.org.
