CARBONDALE -- Fine arts night Friday at Carbondale Community High School became a celebration of another state championship for the school. The school’s music program was ranked first of 90 programs in the state by IHSA for Division A, the largest music division.
"This year we finally made it to first," said Kimberlyn Massey, a junior in jazz and concert bands.
The win follows three consecutive second-place finishes for the music department and includes vocal and instrumental groups and soloists.
“It’s very redeeming to see our hard work pay off. It’s nice, as a senior, to be able to say we are first in the state,” Emily Fink said.
Two major events are combined to form the IHSA Music Championship. The first is the IHSA State Solo and Ensemble contest.
Carbondale's string program finished first, the band program finished second and the choral department finished 31st to achieve a statewide ranking of first overall.
In addition, seven CCHS musicians distinguished themselves individually with Best of Day awards. They were Joseph Steinbock and Natalie Nickrent, clarinet duet; and soloists Yenna Cho, flute; Kate Forer, French horn; Anthony Stoecker, for both piano and snare drum; Anna Darling, violin; and Emily Fink, vocals.
The second was the IHSA State Solo and Ensemble Festival. CCHS took four performances to the festiva. Each one received a Division I rating, maxing out the points that can be given to any school at this event. The schools then have to wait for results from both events to be combined and a state champion named.
Deborah Burris, music director in 1980 and 1981, spoke during the concert, saying the win was part of the fabric the students have woven in each others lives, the school and community and part of their legacy.
Superintendent Steve Murphy presented the championship trophy to Greg Townsend, instrumental music director, and Carlynn Zimmermann, vocal music director.
"We will add another fine piece of hardware to our collection," Murphy said. CCHS also won first for music in 1954, 1981 and 1982.
"What a privilege and a please it has been to work with these students," Townsend said.
Townsend said this will be one of the moments he remembers at the end of his career. He praised Zimmermann and assistant director Conor Kocher.
"None of this would happen without the hard work of our students," Zimmermann said.
marilyn.halstead@thesouthern.com
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