Local Students to Perform at Concert at Lake Land College

More than 130 students from 18 area junior high schools will participate in the Frances Watts Johnston Junior High Honors Band and Chorus Festival held at 6:30 p.m. on May 1 at Lake Land College in the Field House.

The concert is made possible through the Lake Land College Foundation and the Frances Watts Johnston Memorial Fund, which was established with contributions from the E. I. Johnston family of Shelbyville. Lake Land College Music Instructor Nancy Caldwell coordinates the festival.

This year's band director is Kevin Macha, Marseilles school’s band director. This year’s choir director will be Rachelle Cekander, choir director at Dieterich Unit 30 school district. The choir accompanist will be Mirta Donnelley, piano teacher in Altamont and Effingham area for over 20 years.

Participating schools include: Crestwood Jr. High School, Cumberland Middle School, Dieterich Jr. High School, Effingham Jr. High School, Kansas Jr. High School, Lovington Grade School, Marshall Jr. High School, Mattoon Middle School, North Clay Jr. High School, Okaw Valley Middle School, Pana Jr. High School, Paris Mayo Middle School, Ramsey Grade School, South Central Middle School, St. Anthony Grade School, St. John’s Lutheran School, Stewardson-Strasburg Jr. High School, and Windsor Jr./Sr. High School.

The choir music selections include: Voyage by Mac Huff, Homeward Bound by Marta Keen / Jay Althouse, arr., African Alleuia by Jay Althouse, Wings by Carl Strommen, and Do Lord/This Little Light of Mine by Linda Spevacek.

The band music selections include: Falcon Fanfare by Brian Balmages, The Song of the Blacksmith by Gustav Holst / Timothy Loest, arr., Shenandoah / Robert Sheldon, arr., The Great Locomotive Chase by Robert W. Smith.

The festival finale, which will be performed by both band and choir will be God Bless America by Irving Berlin and arranged by John Edmondson.

To learn more about the festival contact Amanda Arena, Scholarship and Special Events Coordinator at 217-234-5445 or  aarena@lakeland.cc.il.us.