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Sycamore Music Department Wins State
The Sycamore High School (SHS) Music Department has won the IHSA Class A state music competition for the first time in school history. SHS placed first in the 2023 Illinois High School Association Music Sweepstakes competition for Class A schools. Statewide results were finalized April 26.
Results were calculated from the results of the IHSA Solo/Ensemble festival on March 4, and the IHSA Organizational Festival on April 14-15 (for bands, choirs, and orchestras). A large number of highly rated student solos and ensembles, coupled with four “superior” scores (two vocal and two instrumental large ensemble scores) at the Organizational festival, led to Sycamore’s first-place finish.
“We are extremely proud of our students and staff for finishing in first place in the state of Illinois in this very competitive competition,” said Mr. Tim Carlson, Sycamore High School Principal. “This is a testament to their talents and hard work. We are also very fortunate to have such a supportive music community in Sycamore that assists our students and empowers them to compete at such a high level.”
The SHS Orchestra program placed first in Class A for its Solo/Ensemble results, earning 177 points.
The 2023 win marks the first IHSA state music title for Sycamore and ends a four-year winning streak for the Chicago High School for the Arts. Overall, SHS earned 801 points, compared with 795 for Chicago and 766.5 for third-place Ottawa Township. “Overall” means a combination of solo/ensemble performances and organizational entries.
Band and choir also had strong performances at the state level. Band won 6th place with 162 points, and choir won 8th place with 162 points.
“We had scored our highest-ever total of Solo/Ensemble points this year, so given the challenges that COVID had presented us, we were already looking at this year as a huge success,” said Scott Mertens, Sycamore music department chair. “As the Organizational results came in, we became aware that a first-place finish might be a possibility.”
Sycamore was the Class A runner-up in 2014, 2019, and 2021.
“The solos and small ensembles are very much student-directed, and the large groups rely on student focus, teamwork, and dedication to flourish,” Mertens said. “One of the best things about this state title is that it focuses attention on the amazing students we work with. We are incredibly proud of what these students have achieved, both this year and in the past. They are conscientious, focused, and task-oriented, and they are tremendous representatives for our city and our school.”
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