Two Providence Students Chosen for All-State Music Festival

Providence Catholic is proud to announce that senior Chloe LaBine (Mokena) and junior Nathan Pugh (Lockport) have been chosen for the All-State Music Festival.

“All they had was one shot – one video audition to make it to not only District 1 ILMEA Music Festival, but to be eligible for All-State Music Festival,” says Dr. Stacy Eckert, Director of Choirs, Liturgical Music, and Theatre at Providence Catholic. “Traditionally, All-State occurs in Peoria over three days near the end of January. The video auditions were judged and scored. From that judging, the top musicians in the state are invited to participate. Nathan made All-State Chorus. Chloe made All-State Honors Choir, which is an amazing feat! This chorus is comprised of the highest-scoring singers. Chloe has been selected for both All-State Theatre and All-State Music. This is the first time in Providence’s history that a student has been selected to both.”

An addition to the Music department’s history-making year is that this is the first time Providence Catholic has had more than one student make it to state in a year.

“This year, the Singing Celtics have two students selected which is quite an accomplishment! We are so proud of them. Because of Covid, it is unlikely they will get the full experience of singing in these elite groups, but the fact they achieved this accolade is a memory-maker!” added Dr. Eckert.

“This experience means so much because at the beginning of the year, I thought I would not be able to do anything in choir and theater my senior year. Having the opportunity to participate in ILMEA in this unique way has been interesting and exciting, and I’m really looking forward to what this next part of the experience will bring!” says Chloe LaBine. “Providence’s music programs have taught me essentially everything I know about choral singing. I had never been in a choir before freshman year, which goes to show just how incredible Dr. Eckert and her work as the choir teacher/director is.”

“ILMEA is something I have wanted to be a part of since my freshman year in choir,” says Nathan Pugh. “I was so surprised to make it to the District 1 Choir, and to make it to the state level is so unexpected and exciting.  The choir director at Providence, Dr. Eckert is phenomenal.  She has helped me grow so much in the past three years, especially in building the skills I needed to be part of ILMEA.  I couldn’t thank her enough!”

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