The music and art departments at Chesterton High School have been flourishing for years due to one aspect in particular: its students. The electricity buzzing in and around these students is undeniable. Music programs such as marching band, concert band, jazz band, orchestra, choir, and show choir have allowed students to come out of their shells while embracing their mellifluous talents. “I originally joined orchestra because my mom wanted me to do it,” senior Valerie Russell states. “I’m really glad I stuck with it, though. I’ve met so many positive and uplifting people throughout the years.”
Chesterton High School’s intermediate and advanced orchestras are directed by Vincent Arizzi. Other music programs hosted at CHS include band and choir, which are directed by Michael Scheiber and Kristin Morris, respectively.
The Chesterton Trojan Guard is built upon years of hard work, sweat, and an abundance of musical craftsmanship. Its members are dedicated and diligent; they almost have to be considering the competition. In the 2013-2014 marching season, the Trojan Guard marching band placed 1st in their division, winning the state championship for the 5th time, and the first time since 1981, the year the Trojan Guard was also National Champions. The Guard was also state champions in 1978, 1979 and 1980. Their last state appearance was in 1986. Since then, the Trojan Guard has gone on to place in the top five for the 2014-2015 state championship.
“The Trojan Guard,” explains senior Arianna Hall, “is like a family. We all have our ups and downs and backfires, but at the end of the day it’s all about the music.”
The Trojan Guard is run by Michael Scheiber with assistance from Vincent Arizzi.
The Sandpipers and Drifters are the most select mixed and women's choral groups at Chesterton High School. For nearly forty years, the Sandpipers have served as a musical ambassador for the town of Chesterton and the Duneland community. Each year, both groups present a wide variety of programming: three choral performances, a madrigal dinner, choreographed show choir events, and repertoire for the ISSMA Organizational festival in the spring. Members of these groups are recognized as leaders in student government, maintain a high overall grade point average, and actively participate in other extracurricular groups at CHS.
“All of the students involved are really good kids,” Morris states. “They always know to come in with their game face on, and that’s what’s helped us over the years.”
The Sandpipers and Drifters perform at several competitions throughout the Midwest each spring. Over the years, the groups have developed a reputation for creative and innovative programming. The Sandpipers have been awarded Grand Champion honors in six states, earning caption awards for Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Instrumentals, Best Crew, and Best Soloist. Numerous students have advanced to the finals and earned championship honors in solo competitions as well. In addition, the Sandpipers is also known for quality presentations of traditional choral repertoire. Each December, the Sandpipers present the annual CHS Madrigal Dinner, a Duneland-area holiday tradition which is now in its forty-first year. Chesterton High School’s art department serves as a way for students to express themselves in a positive and constructive manner. With a multitude of classes to choose from -- those of which include ceramics, photography, 2D art, digital design, sculpture, drawing, painting and more -- it is difficult for a student to not find an art class they genuinely enjoy.
IB and Advanced Art is a conjoined advanced art class for upperclassmen who are serious about pursuing art careers into adulthood. The class is taught by drawing and painting teacher Kirsten Renehan and currently houses fifteen students.
Their seventh annual art exhibit showcases the learning journey of these students, who are either in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program or part of the Advanced Art Program.
Currently there are three IB students: Logan Haussman, Andrea Drygas and Shannon Quartuch; and 12 Advanced Art students: Hannah Becker, Haylee Corzan, Ryan Dempsay, Troy Frezquez, Mary Henry, Mia Johnson, Anna Jones, Jacob King, Carley Lowe, Elisabeth Nedved, Samantha Senevonghachak and Madison Thorne. Both sections fuel their studio work through research about artists, culture, history, literature, science and a myriad of other interests as well as the experimentation of multiple media to determine the best expression of their ideas.
After the yearlong process of making work, students design their own gallery spaces where they will present their finished work. They are responsible for all aspects of mounting their show, promoting it to the public and hosting it during visitation hours. It’s truly a taste of what artists have to do to promote and sell their work.
“‘What’s in a Frame’ is a wonderful experience that I’m so proud to be a part of,” says Elisabeth Nedved. “Advanced Art has taught me that it’s okay to mess up once in a while -- and that some messes can make the best art.”