The music department seniors have been through Covid, a band director switch, a band camp relocation, yet they remain true to their Indy ensembles. From Home Days to Commencement, these students will have performed 43 times throughout their final year, including a march through Magic Kingdom and a performance at Disney Springs!
Come see them in their next performance in the IHS auditorium on Tuesday, December 16 at 7 p.m!
Band and Choir Seniors
Tillie Averre (trumpet, tuba, tenor)
Tillie Averre as Mother Abbess in Sound of Music (2025). (
James Brown )
Favorite memory: "My favorite memory in the music department was in choir, when we recorded a song from our repertoire about vulnerability and unclear futures to send to Mrs. Obrovac and her family during a tough time they were going through. It was a beautiful, hope-inducing moment, being unified in our care for her."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "I would tell myself to trust in my musical intuition. Throughout my years in our music department, I’ve come to realize how natural the practice and performance process comes to me. I wish my younger self would feel secure in my potential and understand that I’m meant to be here."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "Mr. Daniel Singer, my Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus director, has had the biggest influence on me as a performer. Singing in that chorus has prepared me for professional rehearsals, where I’ll need to expand my attention span and apply every piece of advice to my performance. It’s also increased my curiosity for the context of my repertoires."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "Being a musician, in general, has put a spotlight on my ambition, curiosity, and creativity. While participating in the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, working with a private voice teacher, competing in OMEA, and generally pushing myself to work on contextually and physically difficult music, I’ve realized that it's ok to try ! Not only that, but my perseverance and passion are perfect for this industry."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "Roundabout" by The Beths
Gianna Londrico (trumpet, alto 1)
Favorite memory: "The Disney trips."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "It's ok if you are not perfect when you start in band or choir, you will grow substantially throughout the years."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "My coaches and teachers. I learn everything from them, so when I perform in a concert or musical I do my best to remember what they taught me and make them proud."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "Both band and choir have led me to make new friends, perform in musicals and contests, and opened me up to new experiences outside of school."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "For Good" from Wicked
MaryAnne LeRoy (percussion, soprano 1)
Favorite memory: "Performing at Disney Springs on Spring Break sophomore year."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? " Don't be afraid to try everything and be confident."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "Mrs O."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "It has given me a good group of friends that I’ve made so many fun memories with."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "Lush Life" by Zara Larsson
Gabrielle Tokich (saxophone, soprano 2)
Favorite memory: " The Disney trip was the highlight of the my sophomore year. I loved the bus rides back from Disney when everyone was slap happy and finding any way to sleep, even on the bus floor."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? " If you keep working and don’t quit you will improve and when you look back at where you started you will be amazed."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? " Mr. Greene because he has always been open and upfront. He has helped me with confidence while simultaneously helping me be a leader in band and outside."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? " It gives you a great group of friends and memories."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? " Love me not" by Ravyn Lenae
Band Seniors
Favorite memory: "Disney trip 2024 at a Kroger in West Virginia."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "Keep trying and play louder."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "My mum."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "Made more friends & different experiences."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "Traveling Soldier" by The Chicks
Favorite memory: "Going to Disney World and marching down Main Street USA."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "Experience the moment because time really flies by."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "Mr. Greene."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "It has given me friends I would have never expected to have and has given me memories I would give everything to experience again."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "You Give Love A Bad Name" by Bon Jovi or "No Time For Caution" by Hans Zimmer
Paul Kundmueller (trombone)
Favorite memory: "Shenanigans with Aaron."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "It goes fast, don’t take your experiences for granted."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "Mr. Greene."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "It helped me meet new people and make new friends as well as adjust to high school quickly since I already knew a lot of high schoolers."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "Take is Easy" by The Eagles
Matthew Joseph Liepert (trombone, euphonium)
Favorite memory: "During 8th grade band camp, a bunch of little bugs were flying around our cabin. Wanting to be bug-free for the night, we tried spraying the little creatures with bug spray. Soon, this transitioned into all of the air in the cabin quickly filling with bug spray. We ran out of the cabin laughing, and I got it all on video."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "I picked the right instrument and to always have confidence when playing."
Who had the biggest influence on you as a performer? " Mr. Greene."
How has being in band made your high school years different? "I’ve gained a plethora of friends and leadership roles that helped shape who I currently am. "
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "Inertia" by AJR
Favorite memory: "Home band camp 2025 or Disney 2024."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "Stay dedicated and put in time."
Who had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "Lexie Lieu my sister or James Kitagawa."
How has being in band made your high school years different? "Definitely created a safe community to have fun with."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "I Don't Want this Night to End" by Luke Bryan
Favorite memory: "The Florida Trip."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "Have a lot of fun with other people."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "Sarah Elias."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "I’ve been given a different perspective on football games and clap outs than had I not joined."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "My Life/Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel
Nora Olexa collaborates with fellow commanders (not shown) Will Stray and Tillie Averre to lead the marching band. (
Jean Kanzinger )
Favorite memory: "My favorite memory was spending spring g break in Disney with my friends."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "Don’t complain about joining marching band. It’s fun."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "Joe Graham."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "I found many of my friends through band and marching band. And I got to go to all the football games for free."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "Moon River" by Frank Ocean
Tatiana Randjelovic (saxophone)
Favorite memory: "My favorite memory from band is doing victory squats and receiving “motivational speeches” from Khalil McDonald during my sophomore year."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? " I would tell myself to relax and enjoy myself, and that I shouldn’t take everything so seriously because band is supposed to be fun, not stressful."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? " Khalil McDonald, because he taught me to relax and enjoy myself. In the past, I put immense pressure on myself to be the best marcher and performer that I can, but through his jokes and support, I learned that band is supposed to be fun, and that I’d rather be a decent performer and enjoy life than be the best and be constantly stressed."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? " It had given me a community that I have found comfort in throughout high school and that I will forever cherish."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? " Can’t Stop" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Choir Seniors
Brooke Coldsnow (soprano 2)
Favorite memory: "Going to Disney our sophomore year and growing friendships."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "Don’t be afraid to try new things and in general just don’t be afraid. You have a gift of a voice and you should use it! Also be confident in everything you do, it will pay off in the end!"
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "Grandma and mom."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "It has brightened my days and I get excited to spend time with friends and to do something different than I do in my other classes."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "'Where’d all the time go' by Dr. Dog or 'Slipping through my fingers' by Abba. The reason I say these songs are because I am a senior and I’m realizing how life truly does fly by and believe it or not high school happens in the blink of an eye. These songs both really touch my heart near and dear. It makes me want to capture every moment I have, and to also live in the moment. When you're young all you wanna do is grow up, but then once you realize that your not a kid anymore you begin to think why did I want to grow up so fast!!! Can I go back to being 6?"
Maddie Grace Kerns (soprano 2)
Favorite memory: "So far, when our section makes Kylee H sing by herself as punishment, lovingly, and jokingly."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "Don't let people's opinions of you dictate your ability to be yourself."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "If we're naming names, I'd say Mrs. O or Kylee H, MaryAnne, and Brooke Coldsnow. all of them make ." ASK MADDIE WHAT SHE MEANS
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "Choir has given me the opportunity to do the things I love, singing and better yet with my friends."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? " Letter To My 13 Year Old Self" by Laufey
Kayla Nicole Newcomer (alto 1)
Favorite memory: "Disney."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "Focus on the task at hand."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "Other artists, anyone."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "I also have something 3rd period, or an independent study."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? " Everybody Talks", sung by the IHS Vocal Ensemble
Lucy Spencer as Mrs. George in the 2024 IHS production of Mean Girls. (
Joey Jirmasek )
Favorite memory: "Eating food at the holiday inn Christmas Performance."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "It is not that deep and have fun with it!"
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "Brooke Vollman."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "It makes it so I have a class that I can actually enjoy throughout the day. It's nice to know you have something there!"
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "'Firefly Darkness- Amy Bernon"
Brooke Vollman (soprano 2)
Favorite memory: "Getting to sing at all of the Christmas events during December."
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in high school music? "Do a solo at solo and ensemble contest every year because you will see how much your confidence has grown over time."
Who has had the biggest influence on you as a performer? "My parents have the biggest influence on me as a performer because they are always pushing me to do the best I can."
How has band or choir made your high school years different? "It has helped me make more friends and find my love for singing."
Which song do you think everyone needs to hear? "Where the Light Begins" by Susan LaBarr
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