HCHS Music Boosters Newsletter
June 2026
A Year-End Message from the D86 Fine Arts Department Chair
As we wrap up another incredible year in the Hinsdale Central Music Department, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our teachers, students, parents, and Hinsdale Central Music Boosters for the dedication, passion, and support you brought to every rehearsal, performance, and event this year.
Our students achieved so much through their hard work and commitment, and our teachers continued to inspire and guide our students throughout the year. From concerts and festivals to competitions and community performances, this year was filled with memorable moments and outstanding musical accomplishments that made us all proud. To our parents and Music Boosters, thank you for the countless hours, encouragement, and generosity that help make our program thrive. Your support truly makes a difference.
Most importantly, thank you all for helping create such a vibrant, positive, and welcoming music community. I hope everyone has a wonderful and well-deserved summer, and I look forward to another great year ahead.
— Patrick Maag
D86 Fine Arts Department Chair
A Musical Start to Commencement Night
The Hinsdale Central Band helped begin Commencement Night with music before the Class of 2026 entered Dickinson Field for graduation. Their performance created a beautiful and meaningful opening to one of the most important evenings of the school year.
Thank you to all of the student musicians and directors who came out to support this special celebration. Congratulations to the Class of 2026, and especially to our graduating music students, as they begin their next chapter. For more photos and videos, please click here.
Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony
The Hinsdale Central Band proudly participated in the Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, gathering early at school before marching to Village Hall. Music Booster parents helped provide a light breakfast before departure, supporting our students as they represented Hinsdale Central in this meaningful community tradition.
Thank you to our student musicians, directors, and parent volunteers for helping honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. For more photos and videos, please click here.
Highlights of the 2025-26 Choir Program
It has been a wonderful year for the Hinsdale Central Choir Program, filled with performances, collaborations, and meaningful musical growth.
This year, 90 students performed in the Honors Voice Recitals in November and the Honors Solo Festival in March. These students will come together for one final recital performance in May.
We are also proud to recognize that three students were selected for the 2026 Illinois All-State Chorus.
Chorale attended the Lakeshore Choral Invitational at Carthage College, a trip affectionately known as the “Cheesecastle Trip.”
This past fall, our choirs hosted performances by and collaborated with the University of Illinois Chicago Chamber Choir and the Elmhurst University Concert Choir.
Throughout April and May, Hinsdale Central choirs will also work with several guest conductors, including Daniel Andersen, Robert Boyd, Dr. Maggie Burk, and several Elmhurst University undergraduate students.
Finally, Hadestown was performed April 24–26, bringing together students from choir, orchestra, drama, and crew, along with five faculty members and four professional musicians. Their collaboration helped create one of the most innovative and contemporary productions Hinsdale Central has ever presented.
— Jennifer Burkemper
Choir Director of the Hinsdale Central Music Department
A Successful First Year for the Harp Ensemble
The Hinsdale Central Harp Ensemble enjoyed a successful inaugural year in 2025–2026. Our four talented harpists performed at each orchestra concert and were proudly featured in the school yearbook. We are excited that the program will continue next year, with harp instruction and ensemble direction remaining an integral part of our orchestra program.
Looking ahead, we anticipate exciting collaborations with middle school harpists, a Hinsdale Central vocalist, and members of the Hinsdale Central Orchestra. We are also planning performance opportunities with local organizations, which will be announced in the coming months. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and dedication of our harpists and look forward to another wonderful year of music-making together.
— Nicole DaSilva
Harp Ensemble Director of the Hinsdale Central Music Department
Orchestra Celebrates a Wonderful Year of Music
The Hinsdale Central Orchestras enjoyed a busy and memorable year with regular concerts, holiday performances, the String Festival, and a special performance opportunity at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada. Orchestra students also participated in District and State ILMEA ensembles and attended the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique.
The year concluded with four outstanding Concerto/Aria Competition soloists performing with the Philharmonic Orchestra: Chase Barrett, Aaron Zapol, Vivian Kucklick, and Amelia Carter. As summer begins, students are encouraged to continue practicing, take private lessons when possible, explore local orchestra camps, and prepare for ILMEA opportunities.
— Serge Penksik
Orchestra Director of the Hinsdale Central Music Department
A Memorable Year for the Hinsdale Central Band
The Hinsdale Central Band had a full and memorable year. The season began in the fall with the Red Devil Marching Band performing at football games and school events, bringing energy and spirit to the community. One of the year’s major highlights was the band’s trip to New York City to participate in the Veterans Day Parade. Later in the semester, students continued sharing their music through holiday performances.
After winter break, the band closed out a busy spring semester with the Spring Jazz Concert, Spring Band Concerts, Music Awards, Commencement, and the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. Congratulations to Jordan Meyers and Annika Zhang, who will join Connor Dobbins and Aarush Goel as Drum Majors for the 2026–2027 Red Devil Marching Band.
As students look ahead to the Fourth of July Parade, summer preparation, ILMEA auditions, and August Band Camp, we thank our directors, student musicians, senior leaders, and Music Booster families for supporting another wonderful year of music and school spirit.
Families can find Mr. Kurinsky’s 2026 End-of-Second-Semester Band Information, which includes the required forms for both returning band students and incoming freshmen:
— Matt Kurinsky
Band Director of the Hinsdale Central Music Department
— Grace Tait
Assistant Band Director of Hinsdale Central Music Department
Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) Auditions
The Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) is the state’s leading professional organization supporting music education in Illinois. Each year, students in band, choir, orchestra, and jazz may audition for the opportunity to participate in prestigious ILMEA honor ensembles. Harp audition information is listed under Orchestra, and harp students are nominated under Strings. This experience allows students to challenge themselves musically, work with outstanding conductors and peers from across Illinois, and gain recognition for their dedication and achievement in music.
Families and students can visit www.ilmea.org for more information.
- To find audition excerpts and materials, go to the Programs tab and use the dropdown menu to select the appropriate area: Band, Chorus, Orchestra, or Jazz. Then choose the Senior Level District Audition materials
- Students should check their school email periodically, as HCHS music teachers will share ILMEA information as it becomes available.
- HCHS is in ILMEA District 1.
- Audition materials and deadlines are typically released in early fall.
- Students should confirm all audition details with their music teacher.
Summer Band Opportunities
July 1–3: Fourth of July Parade Practice
Students will prepare for the annual Hinsdale Fourth of July Parade.
- Wednesday, July 1
3:00 PM — Drumline only
4:30–8:30 PM — Everyone: Picnic & Practice - Thursday, July 2
5:00 PM — Drumline only
5:30–8:30 PM — Everyone: Practice - Friday, July 3
5:00 PM — Drumline only
5:30–7:30 PM — Everyone: Practice
Saturday, July 4, 10:00 AM: Fourth of July Parade
The Red Devil Marching Band will participate in Hinsdale’s annual Fourth of July Parade.
August 3–7: Marching Band Camp — Mandatory
Students will review marching fundamentals and begin learning music and drill for the upcoming season.
Families should watch for additional details from Mr. Kurinsky regarding schedules, expectations, and any required forms.
More details , click here.
Summer Voice Lessons and Choral Opportunities
Students are highly encouraged to continue voice lessons during the summer months. Olga Bojovic and Brad Jungwirth will offer lessons throughout the summer and can accommodate travel schedules and summer conflicts. Incoming freshmen who are interested in voice lessons are also encouraged to begin before the school year starts.
For voice lessons, please contact:
Olga Bojovic: bojolga@gmail.com
Brad Jungwirth: bdjungwirth@gmail.com
District 1 ILMEA Senior Chorus music will be available by the end of the school year. Summer lessons can be a helpful way for students to prepare for auditions, including students interested in auditioning for Chamber Choir and Chorale.
There are also several excellent choral summer camps within a few hours of Hinsdale, including the ISYM camps at the University of Illinois. For more information or recommendations, please contact Mrs. Burkemper at jburkemp@hinsdale86.org.
Choir Trip Reminder: The Hinsdale Central Choirs will travel to New York from February 25–March 1, 2027. Sign-ups will begin after the final choir concert and are open to students enrolled in choir next school year.
Summer Orchestra Opportunities
Students interested in continuing their music study over the summer may explore local programs such as AMI Summer Camp, Elmhurst Summer Music Institute, Merit School of Music, CYSO, OPUS Chamber Music Camp, ISYM, and ChiMOP Summer Youth Orchestra.
As summer begins, students should also be on the lookout for an ILMEA email from Mr. Penksik with information about this fall’s ILMEA District auditions. Consistent practice over the break is important for maintaining progress, even if practice sessions are not long. Students might consider practicing for about 45 minutes every other day to keep it manageable and enjoyable. Summer is also a great time to catch up on private lessons and prepare for upcoming opportunities.
Local Orchestra Camps for the summer:
· American Music Institute (AMI) Summer Camp: Located in Clarendon Hills, this camp runs July 13-17, 2026, for ages 5-18, featuring chamber music and orchestra opportunities.
· Elmhurst Summer Music Institute: Held at Elmhurst University, offering a specialized Orchestra Institute (July 20–24) and other instrumental sessions for high school students.
· Merit School of Music (Chicago): Offers week-long intensive day camps for various instruments, suitable for school-aged kids and teens.
· Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO): Provides several summer programs for string and full orchestra players ranging from intermediate to advanced levels.
· OPUS Chamber Music Camp (Naperville): Held at North Central College (July 30 - Aug 5), focusing on chamber music and orchestral experience.
· Illinois Summer Youth Music (ISYM): Located at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), offering Junior and Senior Orchestra sessions in July.
· ChiMOP Summer Youth Orchestra: A free, audition-based program for Chicago-area middle and high school musicians.
Music Boosters Year-End Highlights
As the school year comes to a close, the Hinsdale Central Music Boosters would like to recognize several meaningful ways our parent community helped support the music program this year.
Music Boosters supported student performances, parade activities, holiday concert preparations, fundraising efforts, and communication with families. We also helped introduce Music Boosters to incoming freshmen families during the PTO information session and launched this newsletter as a new way to share program updates, student accomplishments, and volunteer opportunities.
One of the year’s most memorable highlights was the Music Awards Night, which celebrated our students’ dedication and achievements, honored graduating seniors and their families, and gave younger students something meaningful to look forward to.
We are grateful for everyone who helped make these efforts possible and look forward to continuing to support the Hinsdale Central music community in the coming year.
— Trista Negele
President,
On behalf of the Hinsdale Central Music Boosters Executive Board