Niles North High School students participated in the Illinois High School Association Solo and Ensemble Contest held March 2 in Schaumburg, IL. Daniel Aisenberg received a Superior rating on clarinet, as well as the “Best of the Day” award. Ari Bearman received a Superior rating on trumpet. Erin Martin received an Excellent rating on flute. The North students are freshmen taught by Cheryl Filipek, Band Director.
Author: gailnnfapp
Student Earns Third at Shakespeare Competition
Niles North High School senior Rachel Sepiashvili took third place in the state English-Speaking Union (ESU) Shakespeare Competition on February 25th in Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University, Chicago. She recited Helena’s monologue from Act 1, Scene 3 from “All’s Well That Ends Well” and Sonnet 121.
The ESU Shakespeare Competition began almost 30 years ago, and today more than 16,000 high school students and 2,000 teachers participate in the annual competition.
Violinist Wins Two Recent Competitions
Niles North High School student Aidan Perreault is just a freshman, yet the supremely talented violinist serves as the concertmaster in the school’s prestigious Symphonic Orchestra, and is the recent winner of two local musical competitions.
On February 1, he won the North Suburban Symphony’s Young Musicians Competition in which he performed the first movement of the Sibelius Violin Concerto. He will solo with the orchestra during its spring concert program.
Perreault is also the overall winner in the Midwest Young Artists (MYA) 17thannual Walgreen’s National Concerto Competition, Senior Division. He played the Sibelius Violin Concerto for this competition as well, and he will solo with the MYA Symphony Orchestra in a concert that will be held at 7:30 p.m. on February 24 at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University in Evanston.
He picked the Sibelius to perform, partly because, he said, “My teacher thought it would be a good one for competition. Also, I just like it. I’ve been listening to it for a few months now.”
Perreault picked up the violin at age 5, after attending a chamber music concert. He has played the instrument for about 10 years, which is more than half of his life. He said, “I was always the one that wanted to keep practicing.” In general, he plays about three hours a day, sometimes more when he is preparing for a competition. In addition to practicing, he plays in a chamber quartet, and the MYA orchestra. He also finds time to compete on Niles North’s Math Team.
Perreault said he would like to study music in college, which means more time devoted to the violin. But he wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s a way to express yourself through music that you can’t necessarily express in other ways,” he said.
Artists Win in Scholastic Art and Writing Competition
An astounding 70 Niles Township High School District 219 artists earned recognition in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, an organization that identifies teens with exceptional literary and artistic talent. The competition, founded in 1923, is the nation’s longest-running, largest, most prestigious recognition program for creative teenagers in the visual and literary arts. Notable past winners include Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Robert Redford and Joyce Carol Oates.
The Awards are an important opportunity for students to be recognized for their creative talents. Teens in grades 7 through 12 can apply in 30 categories of art and writing for the chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited or published.
Gold Key winners have achieved the highest level of recognition on the regional level. Their work is sent to compete on a national level for scholarships. Gold Key winners: (Niles North) Andrew Ardelean, photography; Richa Basnet, design; Marom Benzaken, drawing; Lianne Coballes, drawing; Serena Hocharoen, mixed media and drawing; and Diana Shlikhtova, drawing. Silver Key winners demonstrate a high level of achievement. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of all regional submissions earn Silver Key Awards. Silver Key winners: (Niles North) Andrew Ardelean, photography; Hoa Cao, design; Taylor Hillen, design; Justin Salomon, design; Kevin Luc, photography; Corie Adams, drawing; Shenar Dinkha, photography; Gabrielle General, drawing; Anna Hershinow, drawing; Serena Hocharoen, drawing; Alexa Jasenof, drawing; Noreen Khan, ceramic/glass; Marta Lemesh, photography; Kelsey Pedrosa, drawing; Anna Poloz, drawing; and Jungha Suk, drawing. The Honorable Mention Award recognizes students with artistic potential. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of all regional submissions receive these awards. Honorable Mention: (Niles North) Andrew Ardelean, digital art; Arina Durmic, photography; Saba Kalantarpour, design; Regina Roberg, photography (3 awards); Corie Adams, drawing; Mali Gorovoy, drawing; Sarah Lewin, drawing; Mateo Ruiz, painting; and Victoria Sorin, drawing.
The Alliance presents over $250,000 annually in awards and scholarships to top winners of the Awards and their teachers. Niles North and Niles West award winners are taught by (Niles North) Lori Real, Deanna Sortino and Amy Zwikel.
NILES NORTH PEP BAND
The Niles North Pep Band has been selected as one of four bands in the state to perform as an Official Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Pep Band during the IHSA Girls State Final. Recorded samplings of their songs were sent to a panel of judges at IHSA. They will play at four semi-final Girls Basketball games which are being held March 1, 2013 at Illinois State University. They’ll perform during timeouts, halftime and commercial breaks at the competition and will be featured on Comcast Sports Net.
This competition has opened up many great opportunities for the Band. The Niles North Pep Band is considered an extracurricular class, performing at football games and basketball games while entertaining the crowd. This is the first time in five years that they have performed outside of the Niles North campus.
“I’m grateful for all of these students who have been so committed and truly expressed their schoolspirit and love.” Band director Cheryl Filipek, said.
Thanks to Ryan McTague, Jason Brown and Cheryl Filipek for helping make this happen!
Niles North Fine Arts Parents & Patrons 