The Chesterton High School Symphonic Orchestra and Wind Ensemble traveled to Mishawaka Penn High School this past Saturday to compete in the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) State Qualifying Concert Competition.

Both group's earned a Group I Superior Gold ratings for their performance from the three judge panel of professional adjudicators, and each received Gold ratings in the Site Reading Competition as well.

This event is designed specifically for those high school bands and orchestras that perform music of an advanced nature. Groups that choose to compete in this event are required to perform three pieces, two of which must come from what is known as the Indiana group I repertoire list, compiled and provided by ISSMA.

This ISSMA State Qualifying event took place at four sites around Indiana: Perry Meridian High School, Indianapolis; Pike High School, also in the Indianapolis area; Evansville Central High School and Penn High School, Mishawaka.

On Sunday, the scores were compiled at the ISSMA office in Greenwood to determine the eight top placing Orchestras in the State, as well as the 16 top placing Concert Bands for the State Championship.

Michael Scheiber, director of the CHS Wind Ensemble, was informed by ISSMA officials on Sunday afternoon that the CHS band scores received at Penn were high enough to place in the State Concert Band Finals to be held Saturday, May 3, at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis.

“We live in what is arguably the most competitive state in the country where music is concerned, that makes just qualifying for this event an incredible accomplishment for our students,” said Scheiber. “We’re planning to use this week to prepare so that we can play as well as we possibly can, then, we’ll just enjoy the moment. Anything beyond that will be 'gravy'."

The CHS Wind Ensemble is to perform at 11:15 a.m. (EST- Indy Time) Saturday, May 3 and parents and supporters are encouraged to attend. The 2008 ISSMA State Finalist Bands are: Columbus North H.S., Bloomington North H.S., Lafayette Jefferson H.S., Avon H.S., Valparaiso H.S., Jasper H.S., Warren Central H.S., Lawrence Central H.S., North Central H.S. from Indianapolis, Concord H.S. from Elkhart, Goshen H.S., West Lafayette H.S., Mishawaka Penn H.S., Gibson Southern H.S., Lafayette Harrison H.S. and Chesterton H.S.

Members of the CHS Wind Ensemble include: Megan Adamczewski, Dan Baughman, Davis Benson, Beth Berland, Allison Bodza, Elliot Borg, Justin Brown, Kaylie Collins, Jack Conrick, Charlie Cross, Dan Dellumo, Tori DeMoss, John Denfeld, Nathan Dodd, Megan English, Megan Gillespie, Alexandra Gumm, Rich Hardin, Alex Hartney, Walter Helminski, Samantha Hickle, Neil Hicks, Haylea Himes, Nicole Holt, Mike Jankowicz, Chris Jones, Liz Jordan, Andrew Kay, Ryan Leeth, Bradley Levi, Sarah Ling, Jamie Martin, Brian Moore, Juan Montemayor, Bethany Napier, Matt Ols, Beau Rasco, D.J.Rizer Max Sangerman, Clay Thomas, Nicole Thompson, Glen Thornton, Bria Valdez, John Vallangeon, Alyssa Villarruel, Breanna White, Michael Wineland, Alli Witek. Madelin Zahrn, Scott Zborowski.

Members of the CHS Orchestra directed by Vincent Arizzi include: Michelle AmRhein, Theresa AmRhein, Dan Baughman, Ian Bohannon, Elliot Borg, Holly Brady, Chris Brahos, Nick Brahos, Alli Bodza, Alexander Buff, DeAnna Clark, Charlie Cross, Tabitha Eggers, Megan English, Sarah Fischer, D.J. Gallagher, Megan Gillespie, Andrew Hanson, Walter Helminski, Neil Hicks, Samantha Hickle, Amanda Holt, Mike Jankowicz, Alexis Johnson, Chris Jones, Andrew Kay, Matt Keeley, Kevin Kokesh, Kari Krafft, Jack Lemmer, Melissa Lewis, Becky Lewis, Kyle Ludington, Ashleigh Marlow, Jamie Martin, Sean Melendez, Eileen Miller, Bharathi Muthusamy, Bethany Napier, Jessica O’Brian, Madeline Plesac, Julia Puent, Beau Rasco, Emily Roman, Katrina Roman, D.J.Rizer, Bruce Ruhmann, Jacob Szczudlak, Joshua Szczudlak, Steven Taylor, Nicole Thompson, Clay Thomas, Glen Thornton, Sara Torabi, Alec Turner, Katie Vallangeon, Nicole Vasconi, Hannah Vavrek, Breanna White.

Posted 4/29/2008