Oak Park River Forest High School’s music department has set a new school record this year by sending 23 students to participate in the annual Illinois Music Education Association Conference (ILMEA), held in Peoria from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1.
These students represent a wide array of categories, including band, orchestra, choir, honors jazz combo and composition contest winners. Additionally, OPRF’s 31-member A Cappella Choir is one of only six high school choral ensembles from across the state selected to perform at the conference.
Four of the students earned top honors in their respective categories at the state level. Brett Linzing secured first place in Jazz Set for the second consecutive year and was selected for the State Jazz Combo Ensemble, alongside Jude Peterson, who also earned first place in Jazz Piano. Clara Frantzen took first in the Composition/Instrumental Large Ensemble category, while Roy Koerner earned second place in the category of Composition/Electronic for the second year in a row.
“What amazes me the most is how many students have such a deep passion and love for music that they choose to pursue it as their field of study,” said Anthony Svejda, director of bands and music department chair at OPRF. “They go above and beyond, as people always say and that is absolutely true. What blows my mind is how many people have such a deep passion for it, a love for it that strong.”
Students selected for the ILMEA Conference are given their music ahead of time and it’s their responsibility to prepare it individually. By the time they arrive for the first rehearsal, they are expected to have already mastered their parts. During the two-and-a-half-day festival, they fine-tune their performances through run-throughs and sectionals, ensuring everyone is on the same page. The ensemble rehearsals are where students polish details, such as tempo and stylistic variations, to perfect their performance.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” says choir director Meredith McGuire, an OPRF alum who was selected for All-State when she was a student. “It’s an incredible experience, performing with amazingly talented kids and collegiate directors who are on another level. It’s fun to watch the kids get inspired.”
Parents and community members can attend a free performance of the A Cappella Choir’s ILMEA program on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the OPRF Little Theatre.
The purpose of that concert is to give parents the opportunity to see their children perform and experience a featured moment.
“It also gives the students a pre-show practice run, if you will, before they go, so they can feel confident when they’re placed in the position of figuring out what it feels like to be in concert mode,” OPRF’s Svejda said.
Svejda sees that music brings joy to both students and audience members and is what keeps him motivated to maintain and elevate the program standards year after year.
“In our space, growth is immediate. You can see it right in front of you. During every rehearsal, you ask questions, go through the routine, and in just minutes, you see students’ abilities and knowledge increase. It’s amazing to witness those lightbulb moments, and seeing their joy and gratitude after performing really keeps me going,” Svejda said.
The ILMEA Conference showcases the school’s music program and its dedication to excellence, as the large number of student participants at the state level highlights the extraordinary things happening in the community, according to Svejda.
“Seeing their faces and how happy they are, the gratitude they feel for being able to do what they’ve accomplished, is something you can’t stop. That passion just keeps growing. I love seeing how good they feel after performing something really well, and that’s what keeps us going,” Svejda said.
