CDH Choir and Band Shine at SEC Music Festival

The CDH Band and Choir attended the SEC Music Festival on February 4 and 5. The Festival has two segments: day concerts and the Grand Finale Concert. During the day, top groups from each school perform in separate sites for band, choir, and orchestra. Students also receive valuable feedback from clinicians. The Grand Finale features three elite groups chosen by directors, conducted by guest clinicians, showcasing the best of the Suburban East Conference in an evening gala.

The CDH Choir was represented on both days of the festival, with some students singing in the SEC Honors Choir on the first day, and the whole choir performing on day two. The SEC Honor Choir included eight CDH students who represented our school in the company of “some of the best musicians from the 10 schools in our conference,” according to Delilah Schuster, CDH Choir Director. The lineup included Calla Massari '24, Clara McMahon '24, Luna McLeod '24, Izzy Macheel '24, Vincent Pham '24, Karlie Reynolds '24, Maggie Kane '25, and Sky McLeod '25. The next day was spent listening to choir, band, and orchestra ensembles from other schools in the conference. “It was a great opportunity to hear new repertoire and receive feedback from expert clinicians,” said Schuster. “They saved the best for last… the CDH Choir closed out the day with our performance, followed by a productive and inspiring feedback session from Dr. Ahmed Anzaldúa, our multitalented clinician.”

Elizabeth Barnett '24, Bridget Bower '26, Cameron Kawalec '24, Mark Loeffler '25, Michael Loeffler '24, and Tim Zastrow '24 represented CDH as part of the All Conference band, conducted by Dr. Kaitlin Bove from Diablo Valley College in CA. Matthew Tokheim '24 and Rebecca Gutzmann '24 performed with the All Conference orchestra, conducted by Dr. Peter Folliard from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. The entire CDH band opened the show on day two, playing second in the day and was directed by Nick Zahler, CDH Band Director.