The Chris Patterson Memorial Foundation is excited to announce the 2025 Chris Patterson Performing Arts Award recipients.
West Aurora High School
Music performance has been a huge part of my high school experience. As a member of
the Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Pep Band, Pit Orchestra. and Woodwind
Quintet, I have been lucky enough to have many opportunities to develop my own skills, interact
with talented individuals. and embrace what we affectionately call “the ultimate group project.”
However, the benefits of these experiences are much more extensive than solely the fine arts.
Without a doubt, music is largely dependent on communication. Communication is key
between performers, but also between a musician and their audience. The most impactful
performances tell a story and convey powerful emotions without ever uttering a single word. I
can hardly even begin to describe how much better I can hold conversations with people, express
my thoughts with conviction, and write more eloquently, all thanks to nine years on my
instrument. Similarly, I have learned to embrace failure and adopt perseverance in my habits
through music. This has helped me specifically in my math classes throughout my high school
experience, since math often involves a series of trial and error, and a single problem can take
nearly an hour. Within music, there are sometimes practice sessions that focus on a single
measure for an extended period of time, which has certainly helped strengthen my work ethic.
Ultimately, the performing arts have encouraged me to pursue my academic ambitions,
developed my communication skills, and helped me understand the importance of a growth
mindset while making mistakes. Now, I am a better writer, mathematician, historian, and person
overall.
West Aurora High School
Madeline Catich
My love for music has transcended into all aspects of my life, especially with my all Honors and
AP schedule that I have had all 4 years of high school.
During my freshman year, my band director asked our band “Would anyone be willing to switch
to the oboe?” While I played the Clarinet at the time, I didn’t hesitate at all to accept this new
opportunity. Little did I know that this would become the hardest challenge I have taken on thus
far. I dedicated myself to the oboe, earning myself nominations to the SPC {South Prairie
Conference}, making my school’s top ensemble, Wind Symphony, during my sophomore year,
and later becoming a 3-year ILMEA musician. The oboe has taught me how to challenge myself
beyond what I considered my limits. I wanted to quit at times, crying over video submissions for
auditions, but I ultimately succeeded in proving to myself that I am capable. Because of this, I
have taken all Honors and AP courses throughout my high school career due to my hardworking
attitude. It is not easy, but I continue to work towards that similar feeling of accomplishment
where I can look into my past and say “That was a challenge that allowed me to grow.” Overall,
the oboe has taught me far more about myself than its own temperament.
Outside of the school day, I have been a Blackhawk marching band member for the past four
years. For the last two years, I have been a section leader for the clarinet section of over 45+
members. It was certainly challenging at times, such as dealing with conflicts between members, but the leadership experience that I gained from this activity has translated into the active roles I
play in my courses. I am a better student because I have been so involved with providing for
others within my section and cooperating with the Student Leadership Team. This applies to my
decisions to take initiative in socratic seminars in AP Lit, ask thought-provoking questions in AP
Stats, or to understand the oscillations of music notes in AP Physics. I have learned to guide
others around me, inspiring those to share a similar passion for succeeding in our education just
as I once encouraged my fellow Clarinets to find their appreciation for always performing our
best. This activity has afforded me a greater desire to serve others within and give back to my
community at West Aurora High School.
Along with the Blackhawk Marching Band, I participate in the Early Bird Jazz Band, Naperville
Youth Symphony Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, Jazz Mentor Summer Camps, West Aurora
Woodwind Quintet, American Legion Band Post 84, and private Oboe lessons. I have performed
for the Chris Patterson motorcycle rides every year with the Blackhawk Marching Band, and I
actively serve my community through the American Legion Band Post 84 during my summers.
To conclude, I believe that I am a better student, colleague, and person because of the ways that
the fine arts have transformed my life. I wish to €continue my passions as they have positively
impacted my education by developing my sense of self. I look forward to where music takes me
as I pursue my other academic pursuits in college and in the workforce as well. I will always be
indebted to the many lessons that music has taught me, and I look forward to my future success
as a gifted musician and a determined student. Thank you.
Batavia High School
Being involved in my school’s music program has greatly impacted
the rest of my school life. playing an instrument is proven to be so good for
your brain with all the multitasking going on, and I can definitely tell it has
improved my focus. In addition, the patience and dedication it takes to
practice has given me the ability to apply this to doing homework for other
classes. I can sit down for hours at a time doing schoolwork. All of these
things have had a very positive impact on my schoolwork. Music is also
where I have met all of my friends in school. The connections I have with
people in marching band and orchestra are unlike any other connections I
have ever made. The people there are amazing, and I am so glad I spent
so much time doing music. There’s nothing else I would rather be doing
than rehearsing what we’ve all poured so much commitment into with all
my closest friends. In college I plan on pursuing math along with my music
degree so I can continue to put these skills l’ve gotten from music into my
academic work.
Kaneland High School
I have taken music classes since elementary school. The older I got, the more I took, and
it became my choice instead of a requirement. In high school, I delved deeper into the world of a
choral student.
There have been many times where something as simple as vocal technique and lyrics
have aided me. In my film class, I was able to discuss another level of the music behind a piece
of cinema, because my vocal training lent me a different perspective. I remember having
struggled with choosing a focal point on that essay. My teacher suggested, “”Is there something
with your music background that you could look deeper at?” While we analyzed figurative
language, I brought in register shifts and tone. I scored full points on that essay. Just recently, I
had a mathematics test. There was a question about unit conversions, and at some point I needed
to get from “years” to “seconds.” We’re working on a piece from Rent called “Seasons of Love,”
in which the main theme outlines that there are 525,600 minutes in a year. The lyrics from a song
we were learning helped me to skip several conversions, thus lessening the chance of error along
the way.
Beyond systematic help, my music classes have made me a better student and peer. I’ve
found that the time we spend in choir translates into communication skills and a dedication to
success. There are very few classes that rely on the commitment of each student as much as a
choir class does. I strongly believe that the work we put in towards a music piece, the
communication we need to have with each other and the director, or the confidence we need to
have in ourselves to succeed has correlated with my academic standing. I thrive academically: I
get straight A’s, I work hard, and I get along with ny teachers and peers. However, I think it is
my choir classes that have given me the space to thrive as a person. It is hard to succeed when
you’re worn down mentally, or not confident in yourself about doing big things. Choir has been a
pathway towards stronger communication with peers and teachers, stronger self confidence, and
a practiced dedication to work hard and complete things timely.
I often wonder what it must be like to go through school with full classes all day. I cannot
imagine not having the mental break of just making music with your friends. Whether small or
extensive, having music classes throughout high school has impacted my life both mentally and
academically.
Geneva High School
I have grown so much because of my performing arts experiences throughout my school years in
Geneva, I played trumpet in school band in 5th through 8th grade, and I learned how satisfying and
fun playing together in a concert made all the hours of practice worth it. I acted in several plays and
musicals over the years, too, which taught me the importance of planning, following direction, and
that the show must go on! The performers, tech crew, and staff all had to work together. These skills
and experiences helped me develop diligent study habits, be collaborative, and use time
management to be successful in high school, especially in my honors and AP classes.
I have been in choir since 6th grade. Since junior year, I have been a member of my high school’s
varsity audition-only choir, an achievement which I had to work very hard for. The audition process
taught me perseverance and resilience, two more valuable skills that apply to my classes as well as
life in general My experience with music helps me to be able to better pay attention to my
surroundings, since watching and listening to a teacher is very similar to watching a director and
focusing on the voice parts around me. Sight-reading assignments helped me with quick thinking
skills, which are important during tests and class discussions. I struggle with math, and reading
music has helped me with calculating basic intervals, too.
I recently performed with my high school choir in London and Paris. This was the first time my high
school music program has done an international trip! Music gave me the chance to experience new
cultures, foods, and sights. The trip gave me a global perspective that I can apply in my classes and
beyond. Without choir, I would have never had this opportunity.
I love going to choir every day during school. It gives me a space to unwind and re-energize, which
helps me better focus rest of the day. It is also just a loving community for me to be a part of, and it
has been one of the best parts of my high school experience.