The Leyden High School Symphonic Band presents
Band Division Performance
Civic Center Theater
Saturday, January 30, 10:45 am
2016 Illinois Music Education Conference
Building the Future of Music Education
On behalf of the Leyden High School
District 212 Board of Education, students,
staff, administration, and community, I
would like to thank the Illinois Music
Education Association for allowing us to
showcase our Symphonic Band at the
2016 ILMEA All-State Music Education
Conference.
Under the leadership of Bryan Miller and Michelle Vazquez,
our band program continues to be the pride of Leyden. I am
happy to say that they produce amazing music, but they
produce even more amazing people.
Our students and staff have put in countless hours preparing
a unique and dynamic performance for everyone at the
conference. I am sure you will enjoy listening to and meeting
our outstanding young musicians.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nicholas Polyak
Superintendent
“The Leyden music program is not simply instruction. It’s a
lifelong learning opportunity with a forever family.”
Daria Jakubowska, Flute, 2004
“I will never forget how amazing it was to represent Leyden
at ILMEA All-State two years in a row”
Ashley Doody, Trombone, 2010
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
DISTRICT 212 BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mr. Gregory Ignoffo, President; Mrs. Gloria Murawska, Vice President;
Mr. James Lima, Secretary; Mr. John Tobin, Mr. Joseph Trevino,
Mrs. Lisa Anthony; Mrs. Sandra Boehm
ADMINISTRATION
Dr. Nicholas Polyak, Superintendent
Dr. Beth Concannon, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Thomas Janeteas, CSBO/CFO/CIO/Treasurer
Dr. Mikkel Storaasli, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Amy Ramsey, Director of Special Education
Mr. Bryan Weinert, Director of Technology
Mr. Randy Conrad, Athletic Director
Mr. Jason Markey, East Principal
Ms. Karen Ritter, East Assistant Principal
Ms. Anita Huffman, East Assistant Principal
Dr. Tatiana Bonuma, West Principal
Mr. Andrew Sharos, West Assistant Principal
Mr. Jason Cummins, West Assistant Principal
Mr. Michael Grosch, East Dean
Mr. Dennis Byrne, East Dean
Ms. Mary Jean Sremaniak, West Dean
Mr. Rick Mason, West Dean
“Band was where we grew up...It was where we, as a large group of teens,
could come together to accomplish something, the opportunity to perform at
a high level in order to represent our school, make our parents proud, and
prove to ourselves that we could produce something special.”
Chris Giese, Trumpet, 1999
LEYDEN HIGH SCHOOL
Flute
Bass Clarinet
Andrea Cervantes
Georgia Johnson
Dulce Paz
Lavinia Santos
Xitlalli Solis
Madison Stompor
Angelica Alvarez
Carli Deegan
Alto Saxophone
Robert Doody
Millie Hylka
Oboe
Kevin Andersen
Maya Petersen
Tenor Saxophone
Enrique Carvajal
Karina Kosmala
Clarinet
Jason Alzate
Ada Bulka
Hannah Cullerton
Sophie Danek
Kinga Obrzut
Leslie Monarrez
Raul Rivera
Christina Sanchez
Alejandra Zavala
Baritone
Saxophone
Romeel Adde
Gianna Ruminski
“My favorite memories from the Leyden Music Program are all the cool
gigs we performed. From the O’Hare Hilton, to the Allstate Arena, to the
shores of Cedar Point, and Main St USA at Disney World. These made
my HS music career so much more than just playing an instrument for
four years.”
Wesley Merkel, Cello and Pit Percussion, 2010
SYMPHONIC BAND
Trumpet
Euphonium
Olga Bulka
Lorenz Cagbabanua
Desiree Martinez
Roman Sydorchuk
Chris Szeszol
Danny Zefeldt
Cody Eskew
Marissa Landa
Tuba
Edwin Montero
Adam Obrzut
French Horn
Erika Arroyo
Sarah Krajewski
Christopher
Marroquin
Jacob Reed
Kimberly Silva
Percussion
Elaine Darre
Alex Podgor
Jake Schwartz
Josh Stocks
Weronika Trzaska
Daniel Wade
Trombone
Roberto Alatorre
Amanda Cortez
Myka McDowell
Jimmy Rasmussen
“I started playing the flute in Freshman band in 1953, mostly
because not many instruments were left when the band director,
Mr. Sigurd Swanson, got to my name. I’m still playing and studying
60 years later. Band changed my life.”
Samel Talluto, Flute, 1957
PROGRAM NOTES
Joy, from Awakenings
Joseph Curiale
Joseph Curiale has led a varied life in music. Many of his compositions reflect his
time spent in Japan, incorporating Japanese themes and traditional Japanese
instruments. His diverse body of work has been performed and recorded by more
than 100 artists, ranging from Kathleen Battle to Michael and Janet Jackson.
Equally comfortable in many musical idioms, Curiale began writing for “The
Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson in 1982 and continued until the final show. A
deeply spiritual man, his works are recognized the world over for their passion,
beauty, and sense of wonder. Awakening is a cathartic work, a reflection on the
composer’s recovery from a near-death experience. Cast in three movements,
the first two movements, Compassion and Forgiveness, are serene and tranquil.
This final movement, Joy, bursts forth with energy and excitement. It represents
hailing the dawn of a new day with its dance-like, infectious rhythms, shifting
meters, and spirited themes.
A Longford Legend:
Robert Sheldon
A Collection of Irish Street Ballades, Op. 58
A Longford Legend was commissioned by the Normal Community West High
School Band, Normal, Illinois, Lisa Preston, director. The piece was written in
1996 and premiered in April of that year with the composer conducting. It is
based on the composer’s impressions of three poems found in a collection of
18th century Irish ballades, and is written as a tribute to the wonderful music of
Grainger, Holst and Vaughan Williams. Sheldon heard A Longford Legend, the
poem that inspired the first movement of the suite, on “A Writer’s Almanac”
broadcast on National Public Radio, read by Garrison Keillor. Taken with the
potential for musical inspiration in the poem, he sought to find the author with
the intent of writing a suite based on a variety of poems from the same venue.
Through his research, he found that A Longford Legend was written by an
anonymous author. He later found a collection of eighteenth century Irish street
ballades by anonymous authors, and selected an additional two works, Young
Molly Brown and Killyburn Brae, from this collection to complete the
instrumental suite. Robert Sheldon was kind enough to provide our students with
a wonderful composer clinic on this piece.
“LHS Marching Band set me up for success. I was taught how to
be a leader and to hold myself to the highest standards. The fun
memories are too numerous to list, but I strongly believe that it was
the most valuable experience that any high school student could
have.”
Sarah Carlson, Euphonium, 2008
Merry-Go-Round
Philip Sparke
Merry-Go-Round was commissioned in 2001 by the City of Lesquin, France, for
their annual band competition, Brass Open. The idea was to have a piece that
could be used as a ‘signature tune’ for the competition. It is a mini ‘concerto for
band’ which features each section in turn. After a fanfare-like introduction, the
trumpets are the first to take centre stage. A change of key heralds the
saxophones then the horns and trombones introduce a second theme before the
clarinets take up the main theme again. The next variation is shared between the
bass instruments of the band and the percussion section before the whole band
takes up the horn/trombone theme against running passages from the upper
woodwinds. The opening fanfare returns to bring the piece to a close. Philip
Sparke was kind enough to provide our students with a wonderful composer
clinic on this piece.
Afterlife
Rossano Galante
The composer writes: “Since the beginning of time man has pondered what
happens when our physical body dies. Some believe we go to Heaven. Others
doubt its existence entirely. Then there are those who have had near death
experiences and live to tell their stories. For me, I have always hoped that when
we pass it will be a very peaceful experience. It is this belief that has inspired me
to compose Afterlife. This composition starts delicately as peacefulness returns
to the soul. It intensifies as we approach our new consciousness, constantly
modulating between the two as we gain knowledge of our new surroundings.
Could this be the paradise known as Heaven? Perhaps. I will let the listeners
decide for themselves.”
Today's Afterlife performance is given to memorialize Leyden Band Parent Mr. Terry Doody. A father of
three band students, Terry was a wonderful supporter of the Leyden Band. We know he still hears our
music.
The Hounds of Spring
Alfred Reed
Composer Alfred Reed, captured by the opening lines of Swinburne’s poem, used
them as the title for a piece that in his words is “an attempt to capture the twin
elements of the poem, exuberant youthful gaiety and the sweetness of tender
love, in an appropriate musical texture.” The Hounds of Spring was
commissioned by, and dedicated to, the John L Forster Secondary School
Concert Band of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and its director, Gerald A N Brown.
The world premiere was in Windsor on May 8, 1980, conducted by the composer.
Dr Alfred Reed (1921-2005) had an enormous impact on band repertoire, having
composed more than 250 symphonies and other works for band. Born in New
York City, he studied composition at the Juilliard School with Vittorio Giannini
after a tour in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He was later a staff arranger
for NBC in the 1950s and a professor of music at Miami University.
“One of the best experiences I had with the Leyden band was when
we had the chance to perform at Symphony Center. I loved the
music that we played on that stage, and the whole experience of
the performance was magical. The sounds, the friends, and
memories made that would last a lifetime.”
Bethany Alioto, Alto Saxophone, 2013
THE LEYDEN BANDS PROGRAM
Since there has been a Leyden High School District 212, the Leyden Band
has been an integral part of its history. Building upon the long and proud
tradition forged by legacy directors Sig Swanson, Hank Hiorns, and Joe
Idaszak, today’s Leyden Bands are synonymous with integrity, service, and
excellence in our school and community. Year-round diverse band classes
(five concert band classes and a summer school marching band class) and
extra-curricular offerings (three jazz ensembles, percussion ensemble, and
pit orchestra) provide musical, cultural, and social growth opportunities for
hundreds of kids who represent the broad spectrum of Leyden High School
District 212 students.
Performing quality literature, Leyden Band students are ambassadors for our
school and community through meaningful concert appearances including:
Chicago Symphony Center, Illinois Music Education Conference, Illinois High
School Association State Organizational Contest, Midwest Music Festival,
VanderCook College Band Day, Illinois State University Concert Band
Contest, University of Illinois Invitational Jazz Day, and the Naperville Big
Band Jazz Festival.
Leyden Band students have enjoyed performance tour opportunities,
including Walt Disney World, Cedar Point, Washington DC, and numerous
colleges and universities. The Leyden Band has hosted and performed with
many world-class music organizations including: the US Air Force, Army, and
Navy Concert Bands, the US Air Force Falconaires, the US Army Jazz
Ambassadors, the Dallas Brass, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, and
many collegiate ensembles. Equally vibrant and successful choir and
orchestra programs serve many additional Leyden students, completing a
comprehensive music department that enjoys wonderful support from the
Board of Education, administration, music parents, alumni, and our
community. Additionally, Leyden has enjoyed a long-term laboratory school
type of relationship with Elmhurst College’s outstanding Music Department,
tremendously benefitting countless students.
Providing these opportunities and successes comes through Herculean
efforts at the individual student, family, program, school, alumni, and
community levels. With a population of over 70% minority students, more
than 40 languages are spoken in the homes of Leyden students. Nearly 60%
of students are on free/reduced lunch program. Up to 7 partner school
“My best memory is performing Holst’s Second Suite for Military
Band. When I played that solo, I knew I would major in music.”
Brian Nelson, Euphonium, 2010
“Participation in this program was a turning point in who I am today.”
Zachary Holtman, Trumpet, 2005
bands, each its own school district, can send Leyden students. Collectively,
these partner school bands have been led by 25 different directors during
the last 20 years. A number of the students in today’s ensemble switched
instruments in high school to help our band achieve a quality
instrumentation. Only 3 students throughout the entire band program
currently enjoy the benefit of private lessons. Symphonic Band class meets 0
hour daily in order to fit in kids' schedules. A bold new music wing
construction project will secure the historical importance music has played
at Leyden well into its second century, providing brand new facilities,
technology, and opportunities for future dedicated music students.
SPECIAL THANKS
Partner School Directors
Mr. Greg Helton, Hester School
Mr. Andrew Norte, Lincoln School
Mr. Rich Paluch, Mannheim School
Ms. Lisa Lazzarini, Northlake School
Ms. Gayle Smith, Rhodes School
Mr. Scott Rudnick, River Grove School
Mr. Chris Prohaska, Rosemont School
Clinicians who worked with our instrumental music students this year
Philip Sparke
Robert Sheldon
Ross Kellan
Judy Grimes
Pete Griffin
Thomas Bough
Erica Neidlinger
Joanne May
Sue Blaese
Ai Ishida
Elmhurst College Music Education Student Clinicians
Joshua Baty-Barr
Amy Belluomini
Justin Clarke
Andrea Figueroa
Jose Flores
Kailie Gilmore
Anne Klancnik
Nathan Lane
Nick Lowe
Joe Matura
Grant Tabor
Randy Trubitt
Anthony Valenti
Matt Zmuda
And especially our dedicated Band Parents and
loyal Alumni Volunteer Marching Band Staff
Program design by Leyden Music Department alumna Sarah Carlson
“Music brings me to life. I have the Leyden Music Department to
thank for countless memories and successes in my life!
Michele Riordan, Bass Clarinet and Color Guard, 2002
BRYAN MILLER
A career music educator, Bryan Miller has served as
Music Department Chair for the Leyden High Schools
since 1994. He is only the fourth person to serve as
Director of Bands in Leyden's near century-old history.
Building upon the legacy of his predecessors and
assembling a staff of dynamic colleagues, Leyden’s
music students have enjoyed many successes and
opportunities under his leadership. He has
concurrently served on the music education faculty for
Elmhurst, VanderCook, and North Central Colleges. He
currently serves on NAfME's National Council of Music Program Leaders.
Also a career military musician, Lieutenant Colonel Miller has the honor of
serving our country as the Commander and Conductor of The Air National
Guard Band of the Midwest, the 566th Air Force Band. Mission highlights
include leading teams for two Southwest Asia and Africa deployments
(Afghanistan, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab
Emirates), Mount Rushmore’s Independence Day Celebration, Rockefeller
Center Plaza’s Centennial of Flight Exposition (Neil Armstrong and Buzz
Aldrin), Constitution Hall’s Liberty Medal Ceremony (President Bush), the
Illinois Gubernatorial Inauguration Ceremony, performances honoring the
Tuskegee Airmen, Gold Star Families, and funeral memorial honors for
President Ronald Reagan.
Affiliations as a conductor, trumpet artist, or clinician include: The Midwest
International Band and Orchestra Clinic, NAfME National Conference, ILMEA
Music Education Conference, IHSA, IGSMA, and ISYM, He is the founder and
conductor of the Chicagoland Educators Orchestra and has guest conducted
the United States Air Force Band (Washington, D.C.), the Wheaton Municipal
Band, the Salt Creek Sinfonietta, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
(world premiere commission at The Midwest Clinic), NIU, WIU, ISU, ONU, OU,
Elmhurst College, and Huntington College. A CYSO alumnus, he serves on its
Board of Directors. He served as Music Director for the Illinois Ambassadors
of Music 2006-2010 European Concert Tours before resigning to volunteer
for a second USAF deployment.
An active trumpet artist, he had the honor of performing under Maestro
Daniel Barenboim with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera
brass sections for the Arnold Jacobs memorial tribute concert at Symphony
Center.
“My experience in the Leyden Band program was phenomenal. I
was a member of the first class to have Henry Hiorns as the band
director for all four years, and his guidance helped me greatly in
my career as a performer and educator.”
Greg Helton, Trumpet, 1978
His brass quintet was a semi-finalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music
Competition. He is an alumnus of the NIU Jazz Ensemble and a founding
member of Chicagoland’s Pete Ellman Big Band.
Honors include the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Noteworty Award
for outstanding achievement by an alumnus, the Chicagoland Outstanding
Music Educator Award, the University of Notre Dame’s Singular Award for
the Contribution of Youth, the West 40 technology award, Leyden’s Fern
Award for Fine Teaching, and is a recipient of the United States Air Force
Meritorious Service, Commendation, Achievement, Expeditionary, and
Marksmanship Medals.
MICHELLE VAZQUEZ
Michelle Vazquez graduated with honors from
Elmhurst College, earning a degree in Music
Education and minor in Spanish. During this time,
she performed with many ensembles including the
Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Varsity Band,
Concert Choir, and Women’s Chorus. She also held
many leadership roles in various campus
organizations, including serving as the past
president of Music Educators National Conference
(MENC) and Sigma Alpha Iota International
Women’s Music Fraternity. In the spring of 2010, Mrs. Vazquez received the
prestigious MENC collegiate professional achievement award for her
contributions to her collegiate chapter. She is a Google Certified Educator,
and completed her English as a Second Language Endorsement in
2015. Currently, she is in the process of obtaining a Masters in Teaching
and Learning from the University of St. Francis.
After student teaching and then filling a one-year maternity leave at Leyden,
she accepted a position teaching K-5 general music and choir for two years
at Gary Elementary School in West Chicago, Illinois. Returning to Leyden in
2014, her responsibilities include conducting the curricular and extracurricular ensembles and facilitating the daily operations for over 200
instrumental music students in four Concert Band sections, Symphonic
Band, Orchestra, Marching Band, three Jazz Bands, Chamber Orchestra, and
Drum Club.
“I absolutely loved my time in the symphonic and marching bands!
Between the amazing music we learned, to play and the incredible
friendships that resulted, band was definitely a highlight of my
teenage years”
Jen Bengston, French Horn and Choir, 2005
“Unlike any other high school experience, the Leyden Band program
equipped me with the critical life skills necessary to propel me through a full
spectrum of personal and professional success. My band experience
instilled in me the value of discipline, dynamic achievements possible only
through teamwork, creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit, the
effectiveness of good communication, and a lifelong love of music”
Andy Morys, Trombone, 1998
With Gratitude to our Generous Community Sponsors
The Village of Franklin Park
The Village of Rosemont
The Village of Schiller Park
The City of Northlake
Sparrow Express Transport
River Park Loyal Order of
Moose #2587
Franklin Park Dental
Trillion Skincare
River Grove Citizens for May
Abt Electronics
Star Hydraulics
Exquisite Smiles
Compass Self Storage
VFW Leyden Post 5979
People and Places
Mike Solarte
“While most teenagers would ideally love to stay away from school during summer break, each
year I would look forward to marching band. Some of the best high school memories I have are
from band camp and tours to Cedar Point.”
Nancy Delgado, Clarinet, 2008
“The first time you actually start to play your instrument in front of a crowd– whether it’s the
first roll-off onto the football field or that first downbeat on the auditorium stage– those are
the moments that send chills throughout your body and make every single minute of practice
and struggle worth it”
Nikki Halberg, Percussion, 2010