Lake County Gazette

The talented student musicians of Clarendon Hills Middle School (CHMS) and Hinsdale Middle School (HMS) recently showcased their skills at the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) District Jazz Contest, held at HMS on Saturday, March 1.

Both CHMS and HMS jazz bands earned outstanding Division 1 ratings, qualifying them to compete at the state level. HMS even achieved a perfect score from all three judges, a remarkable accomplishment reflecting the dedication and talent of both students and music educators.

"We're incredibly proud of our students' achievements at the IGSMA Jazz Contest," said HMS Band Director George Andrikokus. "Their hard work, passion for music, and collaborative spirit shone through in their performances. We're excited to see them represent D181 at the state competition. "

This success highlights the strength of the music programs in District 181 and the commitment of educators to fostering a love of music while providing students with opportunities to excel.

A Special Shout-out to CHMS

The CHMS Jazz Band received special recognition at the contest, earning the highest scores in the school's history. Two judges awarded the band perfect scores, while the third judge's score was just one point shy of perfection.

"This jazz band is a wonderful group of students," said CHMS Band Director Eric Morong. "They are well-mannered, supportive of each other, and fun to work with. They represented CHMS and D181 with pride at this festival, and I'm honored to be their teacher. "

Music In Our Schools Month

March is Music In Our Schools Month, and CHMS will host the IGSMA District Organizational Contest on Saturday, March 15. Community members are encouraged to come out and support these talented student musicians.