The Chris Patterson Memorial Foundation is excited to announce the 2026 Chris Patterson Performing Arts Award recipients.
WEST AURORA HIGH SCHOOL
Band has been a vital part in my education. When I was in fifth grade,
I was given the opportunity to choose an instrument that would carry me
through all of middle and high school. Little did I know, being given this
opportunity would help me discover so many attributes about myself.
playing the trombone and being a part of the Wind Symphony, Jazz
Ensemble, b,eing a section leader in Marching Band, Pep Band, Pit
Ensemble, and Madrigal Brass at West Aurora High School has provided
me with knowledge that, for me, could only be learned through band.
When coming into high school as a freshman, I had joined the
marching band, and as marching band does, we started the season before
the school year started. As a freshman who was very insecure and
introverted, I was not good at talking to new people and the West Aurora
marching band has many members, usually over 250. As time progressed
though, I had started to communicate with the new people I was meeting in
my section which to this day are now some of my closest friends. With this
being said, this new knowledge of being able to communicate with new
people transcended into my core classes. I am now able to talk to my peers
without feeling nervous which ultimately, has helped tremendously with my
grades. Because I am not afraid to talk to others, I can easily ask questions
if something does not make sense in a class or ask a peer for something as
little as a pencil. For example, in my junior year, I struggled in my Calculus
class. Being able to apply my knowledge of communication, I was able to
ask my teacher for extra help which is something I would have never
imagined doing prior to freshman year. Getting that help from my teacher
is how I passed the class. Without band,I would have never learned how to
get over my fears of talking to new people and my grades would have
suffered from that. While I am not planning on majoring in music, I am
planning to continue to play my instrument in a concert ensemble knowing
that it will still help me communicate with others as it has for so many years
prior.
BATAVIA HIGH SCHOOL
I’ve played violin since I was in elementary school. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t feel much
of a connection at first. In fact, I hated when my mom made me play in front of my grandparents.
I felt like I was holding the whole room hostage with my scratchy tone. Back then, I would never
have imagined the importance violin now holds to me.
My perspective on violin changed freshman year when I saw my school’s top orchestra
perform. They were amazing. I decided I wanted to be just like them. I got lessons, and my
teacher seemed almost as old as her violin from the l600S. She said I needed to work on my
scales and etudes and intonation and rhythm. Following her advice, I practiced for an eternity of
an hour every day until my hands and back ached.
Gradually, I saw progress. I slowly gained confidence in my playing. Sophomore year, I
auditioned and made it into my school’s top orchestra. Since then, I’ve played for countless
volunteer and paid gigs, led in my school’s Fiddle Ensemble and orchestra, and have found a
confident love for violin. Now, l’m happy when my mom asks me to play for my grandparents.
Through violin, I was able to set a goal, work hard, and see the rewards. The confidence I’ve gained through violin has translated into other aspects of my life. I have taken many AP and
Honors classes throughout high school, so the coursework has definitely given me some
challenges. However, since violin showed me consistency and hard work pays offs, I knew I
could do well in these classes. When I struggled in Pre-Calc and AP physics, I set up study
sessions with friends and practiced at home. In the AP histories, I made packs of color-coded
flashcards. For AP English classes, I spent hours writing and revising essays and seminars and
narratives. With the perseverance I learned from violin, I am consistently able to succeed in my
classes.
In college,I plan to major in Neuroscience. I have no doubt the coursework will be very
challenging, but I also have no doubts that I will be able to succeed with consistent
perseverance. I also will be able to continue my love for violin as I plan to play at UIC in their
community orchestra next year.
KANELAND HIGH SCHOOL
Music has been a part of my life since day one. Both of my parents are music teachers, so I
grew up surrounded by everything from piano scales to Broadway soundtracks and Mozart
sacred works. I have had the privilege of having my dad as my high school choir director for 4
years, and our everyday conversations often turn into conversation about choral arrangements
or style/performance choices.
I started playing piano when I was six, and it quickly became one of my favorite ways to express
myself. Over the years, l’ve performed in my high school’s musicals and each choir in our
program. As a senior,I am now the student director of our Madrigal/Chamber Choir ensemble.
Being on stage, whether l’m acting or singing, has taught me how powerful music can be for
bringing people together and telling stories. Some of my best memories are from late-night
rehearsals with friends, working hard to get every note and harmony just right.
Having parents as music teachers has pushed me to work harder and think more deeply about
what music means to me. They’ve encouraged me to try new things, and these experiences
have made me realize that I want to keep growing as a musician-not just technically, but
creatively too.
Participation in the performing arts has also impacted my success in my core educational
classes. I often use music to enhance my learning, and make studying more efficient. For
example, I listen to classical music like Mozart or Bach to improve my focus and retention during
study sessions. I have also created songs to memorize lines, vocabulary, and speeches for my
core class materials. These specific musical approaches help me internalize information more
effectively, and they also make learning more engaging.
As a music education major, I will embrace every opportunity not only to deepen my own
understanding of music, but I also hope to use my passion for singing to inspire someone else.
Music has always been a way for me to express feelings and connect with people, even when
words aren’t enough. In college, surrounded by other students who music as much as I do,
I want to share my voice in a way that lifts others up -whether it’s performing in choir, leading a
small group, or just singing for someone who needs encouragement. My dream is that through
my singing,I can help someone feel understood, hopeful, or even less alone. I believe that
music has the power to touch hearts, and I want to be a part of a community where we inspire
each other to grow, both as musicians and as people.
GENEVA HIGH SCHOOL
Participation in the performing arts has profoundly shaped the way I approach my academic classes and overall high school experience. As a member of both the jazz choir and varsity choir, and an active participant in theatre productions, I quickly learned how to balance a demanding schedule. Juggling rehearsals, performances, and coursework required me to develop strong time management skills. I carried these skills into m first AP classes, AP English Literature and Composition, where I learned to embrace a heavy workload by creating structured and organized routines.
Theatre, in particular, has strengthened my confidence and ability to think on my feet. In academic settings, especially in science classes where presentations and problem-solving are essential, I am able to communicate clearly, stay composed, and engage my audience. Once in AP Biology, I did a presentation on cellular junctions. I stood up in front of the class making direct eye contact, speaking clearly, and projected loud enough for everyone to hear me. After, someone asked me a complicated question. At first, I didn’t know the answer, but I took a deep breath and thought about my next move. Performing has taught me how to calm my nerves and present items in the best way, and these skills have directly improved my classroom performance.
Equally important is the beautiful community I have gained through the arts. Working alongside dedicated peers and learning from upperclassmen has motivated me to challenge myself academically. Once we had a substitute in choir, and a study hall to do whatever. The upperclassmen, Alex and Annaliese, stood up and spent the entire class period trying to solve an AP Physics C problem on the whiteboard. This peaked the interests of other students, and I sat and watched them use their brilliant minds to figure it out. Their example and constant encouragement inspired me to pursue rigorous courses such as AP Psychology and AP Biology. Through these experiences, I have grown not only as a student but as a person.