Lake County Gazette

Thirteen students from Mundelein High School have been selected by the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) for its District VII Honors Ensembles. This recognition places these students among the top five percent of performers on their instruments statewide, and all are now under consideration for All-State Honors, which will be announced in November.

The selection process involved students preparing up to five musical excerpts, which were performed for judges from across Illinois. Placement in these ensembles is considered comparable to an athletic team advancing to the Sectional level of competition.

“We could not be prouder of our students' accomplishments and their representation of the excellence found in MHS' music programs,” said MHS Fine Arts Department Chair Rich Stiles. “Their selection speaks volumes about their hard work and musical abilities.”

The following Mundelein High School students were named to the District VII Honors Ensembles: Concert Band members Jared Alba (horn), Avishi Mehta (trombone), Natalie Moon (clarinet), and Paola Vargas (trumpet); Orchestra members Matthew Adamczyk (trumpet) and Andy Gallup (tuba); Chorus member Sylv Pacis (Alto II); Jazz Combo member Jacob Dubinskiy (trombone); Jazz Band I member Andy Gallup (bass trombone); Jazz Band II members Matthew Adamczyk (bass trombone), Daniel Fishel (alto saxophone) and Michelle Frane (trumpet); and Jazz Band III members Justin Carvalho (alto saxophone), Jorge Meza (trombone) and Camryn Plohr (trombone).

“Much credit goes to Cory Thompson, Andy Sturgeon, and Jerry Shelato for their exemplary work in preparing these students,” Stiles said. “Under their guidance, the music program continues to reach new heights.”

To qualify, students prepared multiple etudes, a scale sheet performed within three minutes, and, for jazz musicians, improvisation. After recording their auditions, music directors uploaded them for review by professionals statewide, who ranked each student.

Those selected will perform with all-district honors groups in November. Choir, band, and orchestra participants will perform at Glenbrook South High School on November 4, while jazz band participants will perform at Lake Zurich High School on November 18.

Mundelein Consolidated High School is part of Mundelein Consolidated High School District 120, which serves Lake County. The district employs 130 teachers, with an average salary of $91,610, and maintains a balanced gender distribution among staff. According to state data, no teachers in the district had more than ten absences during the school year. The student body is diverse, comprising approximately 41 percent White, 45 percent Hispanic, nearly six percent Asian, and just over two percent Black students. In 2020, district spending per student was $29,799, with total expenditures reaching $61,653,428. More information about district demographics and finances can be found on the Illinois Report Card.