The CHIEF December 2019

By Alyssa Rodriguez

Band Update: All - District

For the 2019 All-District Music Festival, Pontiac Township High School had four students selected to participate in the event that took place on November 16th. Samuel Kelly (percussion) and Aaron Putnam (trombone) were chosen for the All- District Band and Mallory Dennis (flute) and Devin Wunsch (percussion) were picked for the All-District Orchestra. The event was held at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The band was conducted by Tony Marinello and the orchestra was conducted by Brian Dollinger. One of the songs performed by the band was a premiere of the piece, “Zeal Unceasing,” by Todd Stalter. As for orchestra, pieces such as “Serenata” by Leroy Anderson and “Pines of Rome (Finale)” by Orrorino Respighi, arranged by Stephen Bulla, were only some of the fine music selections for the ensemble. “I was so excited, I honestly couldn’t believe it. It felt like all the hard work had finally started paying off,” said musician Mallory Dennis about being notified that she was one of the selected students. “The one thing I took away is that I will never ever play ‘Jam Blocks’ ever again,” is a quote from the ILMEA All-District band musician Sam Kelly when being asked what he gained from the fun and demanding experience that he thoroughly enjoyed. All of the students gained knowledge and felt honored to be a part of the described honors bands.