Lindbergh School District music students and staff once again have distinguished themselves with outstanding performances at the Choir, Orchestra and Band Large Ensemble Festivals and the High School Solo and Small Ensemble Festival.

“Our ratings at these events are incredible and reflect the high caliber of our performers and our instructors,” Jeff DiLallo, district music coordinator, stated in a news release. “The teachers who are teaching are energetic and inspiring, and the students are engaged in learning. Students are excited about learning; they are excited about performing. It is all rolled into a love of learning.”

A love of learning and a love of music were evident at the festivals as choirs, orchestras, bands, individual musicians and small groups wowed the judges.

Sperreng Middle School’s choirs came out with superior ratings for Sixth-Grade Choir, Seventh-Grade Choir, Eighth-Grade Choir and Chamber Choir.

The middle school directors are Jason Marin and Elizabeth Hogan.

Under the direction of L. Michelle Howard, Sue Rola and Angela Dunsford, Sperreng’s orchestra’s received two superior ratings, including the Sixth-Grade and Eighth-Grade Orchestras; Seventh-Grade Orchestra received an excellent. At the high school level, the Symphony Orchestra received a superior and the Chamber Orchestra received an excellent.

Sperreng’s Seventh-Grade Band and Eighth-Grade Band both received Superior ratings under the direction of Brian Wyss, Dan Arana and Jeremy McMahon. The Lindbergh High School Symphonic and Concert Band received a superior. This is the first time in band history that the Concert Band received a superior rating. The directors for the high school bands are Bob Spiegelman and DiLallo.

At the high school Solo/Ensemble Festival, 60 schools participated. Lindbergh received 33 superior ratings, and 40 students qualified for the state festival which will take place April 29 in Columbia. The students are directed by Bob Spiegelman, DiLallo and Dan Arana.

Those who received a superior rating include: Flute Solo-Carrie Maloy; Clarinet Trio-John Meuser, Rudolph Torrini and Lauren Begany; Clarinet Solos-John Meuser and Rudoph Torrini; Oboe Solo-Jeff Suda; Bassoon Solo-Jeff Panhorst; Alto Sax Solos-Elizabeth Repp and Parker Finlinson; Saxophone Quartet-Lizzy Cohen, Tiffany Allen, Parker Finlinson and Andrew Lorey; Trumpet Solo-Amanda Morrell; Trombone Solo-Sarah DiLallo; Trombone Quartet-Eric Pashia, Andrew Brimer, Sarah DiLallo and Eric Eisenreich; Tuba Solo-Mike Goldschmidt; Snare Solos-Joe Francis, Jeremy Bozdeck and Jon DiLallo; Keyboard Mallet Solos-Stephanie Fischer, Tim Kendrick and Brennen Cash.

Also: Percussion Ensemble-Brennen Cash, Stephanie Fischer, Mike Goldschmidt, Timothy Irving, Tim Kendrick, Jon DiLallo, Joe Toth and Paul Vaughan; and Piano Solo-Stephanie Fischer.

Superior ratings for orchestra students include: Violin Solos-Anne Bewig, Alyssa Avery, Anna Nickless, Caroline Mertens, Anna Perretta, Candace Simpson and Angela Hazelwood; Cello Solo-Austin Hope; and String Duet-Nicole Evans and Zachary Klotz.

Individual choir honors went to Girls Vocal Solos-Julie McGinnity, Alexa Moore and Pyper Reynolds and Boys Vocal Solo-Matt Chavez.

“The School Board and Central Office made a commitment several years ago to build up the music program. The result is that more students are involved in our music program and in performance ensembles. I am very proud of all the students and their directors,” DiLallo said. “Our teachers work hard and are committed to their craft. More importantly, they are committed to their students, and to helping them grow into well-rounded human beings.”