upcoming events Student Recital: Lorelai Amborn Sunday, Nov. 1 1:00 p.m. H. F. Johnson Recital Hall Student Recital: Layla Nemri Sunday, Nov. 1 4:00 p.m. H.F. Johnson Recital Hall Performing Arts Series: Nicole Benoit Thursday, Nov. 5 7:30 p.m. H. F. Johnson Recital Hall Graduate Student Recital: Chenyang Li Saturday, Nov. 7 1:00 p.m. H. F. Johnson Recital Hall Philharmonic Concert Saturday, Nov. 7 7:30 p.m. Grace Kolakowski Hall ∙ A. F. Siebert Chapel Student Recital: Toby Staaden Sunday, Nov. 8 4:00 p.m. H. F. Johnson Recital Hall The Visual & Performing Arts at Carthage acknowledges that the land on which our building stands is part of the traditional Potawatomi, Sioux, Peoria, Kickapoo, and Miami peoples, past, present and future. These homelands reside along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes. We honor with gratitude the land itself, and the people who have stewarded it througout the generations. Many Indigenous peoples thrive in this place–alive and strong, and this calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.
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The Carthage Music Department Presents
22nd Annual Lakeside Band Festival
Halloween Hoedown james syler, guest conductor and composer james ripley, conductor and festival director
With:
cece cooper, ‘29 percussion soloist cora brown ‘28, percussion soloist
Saturday, October 31, 2026 7:30 p.m. Grace Kolakowski Hall A. F. Siebert Chapel
program
carthage wind orchestra history
Haunted Objects
John Mackey (b. 1973)
Cantique James Syler, conductor
James Syler (b. 1961)
Wu Xing Cece Cooper, percussion Cora Brown, percussion
James Syler (b. 1961)
Wind Orchestra Suite Louisiane
James Syler (b. 1961)
I. Isabeau S’y Promene II. Michieu Banjo III. Aux Natchitoches IV. Now Shall My Inward Joys Arise V. Eunice Two Step
Combined Bands Galop
Arthur Bird, ed. James Syler (1856–1923)
Hocus Pocus James Ripley, conductor
James Syler (b. 1961)
Country Bandstand I. March II. Chorale III. Barn Dance
James Syler (b. 1961)
Dr. Ripley began his tenure at Carthage in 2001, continuing several important traditions, namely the practice of engaging guest artists, a focus on chamber music in addition to the full ensemble, an annual band festival for high school musicians, providing conducting opportunities for student musicians, and programming music of the highest order. In addition, Dr. Ripley initiated a recording project for the band, initiated numerous commissions of major new works for band, and solidified a regular touring schedule of regional, national and international venues.
Some of the most significant commissions are: James Stephenson’s this is most certainly true for the 500th Anniversary of the founding of the Lutheran Church, Alex Shapiro’s Liquid Compass for the 140th Anniversary of the Carthage Band, Timothy Mahr’s Fortitude for the 150th Anniversary, Stacy Garrop’s Mythology Suite, Xi Wang’s Winter Blossom, Martin Ellerby’s Soliloquy for Solferino, Jennifer Higdon’s Aspire, and three pieces for the 150th Anniversary of Carthage Women: Judy Bozone’s Rise Up!, Sydney Kjerstad’s Talitha Cumi, and Jocelyn Hagen’s Shieldmaiden.
In the past twenty-five years, the Wind Orchestra has made eight trips to Japan, in conjunction with an exchange program with Kurashiki Sakuyo University. Additional tours have included stops in Atlanta, St. Louis, Des Moines, Sioux Falls, and Phoenix; with three “Heritage Tours” including performances in Hillsboro and Carthage, Illinois. The Wind Orchestra was selected to play at the Wisconsin State Music Educators Convention in 2009 and 2014, and for the conference of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Band Association in 2012. In December 2017, the Wind Orchestra performed in the Chicago Symphony Center Orchestra Hall. Four trips have been based on performing accompaniments for silent films, presented at historic theaters in the Midwest. Metropolis, with music by Francis McBeth, was performed both in 2004 and 2010, and The General, with music by James Barnes, was presented in November 2012 and March 2018, and most recently Sherlock, Jr., with music by Don Gillis was performed in November 2025.
wind orchestra personnel Flute
Horn
Addison Kelnhofer Kaylynn Brewton Jayden Hell Eleanor Powell
Mikie Aylward Lanie Klawonn Ella Monk Ella Christensen
Oboe
Trumpet
Toby Staaden Bella Howard Laurel Brown
Elliot Podratz Nathaniel Esboldt Luke Rodriguez
Bassoon
Trombone
Neil DuJardin
Jake Muller Anita Gross Andrew Schaer
Clarinet
Euphonium
Hope Johnson Mary Rivas Emma Lorenz Kaylie Szczepanik Riley Gaylord Maya Griffin
Braden Larsen Joy McMillan
Bass Clarinet
Tuba
John Ahlin
Riley Bretthauer Angel Guzman
Saxophone
Percussion
Jalen Imroth - Alto Ava Bartecki - Alto Caleb Ehrler - Alto Grace Grassinger - Tenor Zach Shoemaker - Baritone
Reid Ahnemann Cora Brown Cece Cooper Jacob Gonzales Thorfinn Kidwell Clara Riter Davian Santiago Drake Thomas
biography JAMES SYLER was born in Hyde Park, NY and raised in New York and Florida. He was educated at Northern Illinois University (B.M.), the University of Miami (M.M.) and the University of Texas at Austin. He has studied composition privately with composers Alfred Reed, Karl Korte and Pulitzer prize winner Michael Colgrass.
Equally at ease with modern and traditional techniques, his compositions have been noted for their lyricism, energy and drama. He has developed a personal style that is eclectic and innovative, yet able to communicate with a variety of audiences. International performances include the Chinese Youth Choir, State Symphonic Band of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Lisbon Portugal Jazz Festival, Symphonic Wind Orchestra Mittelbaden of Germany, McGill University Wind Ensemble in Montreal, Canada and more. Other notable performances include Sumphony No. 1 “Blue” at Carnegie Hall, Bridge Chamber Music Festival, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, New York Choral Festival at Lincoln Center, Turtle Island String Quartet, Henry Mancini Institute in California, Tanglewood Institute in Massachusetts, and the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. Awards include two grants from the American Music Center in New York, the 2016 College Band Directors National Association Young Band Composition Contest for Wu Xing: Concertino for Two Percussion, the 1993 National Band Association Composition Award and the 1993 Arnald Gabriel Composition Award for The Hound of Heaven, and more than 35 guest composer residencies at colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, and Brazil.
biography continued To date he has completed more than 35 commissions in chamber, choral, orchestral, and wind ensemble forms. He has been featured in numerous articles, dissertations, and books including “A Composer’s Insight: Thoughts, Analysis and Commentary on Contemporary Masterpieces for Wind Band” published by Meredith Music. For 15 years, between 1998 and 2013 he owned and operated Ballerbach Music, a music publishing company specializing in contemporary music. Since 2001, Mr. Syler has been a lecturer at the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio where he teaches composition, orchestration, and music business courses. He is married to pianist Elizabeth Gutierrez and is co-owner of PianoPassport.com, an online publisher of piano music. He resides in San Antonio, Texas.
carthage wind orchestra history The Carthage Wind Orchestra is one of the oldest collegiate bands in the United States, formed in 1873 as a small brass band. During the ensuing 150 years the band has grown in size and distinction, capably led by outstanding musicians and enriching the musical lives of countless numbers of Carthage College students as well as their audience. One of the college’s most distinguished traditions, the Christmas Festival, was begun as a band concert on Christmas Day in 1874. The addition of a chapel and music hall on the Carthage, Illinois campus in 1957 created a facility for the music department that was among the finest in the country at the time of its origination. It was only a short time, however, before the college was relocated to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and beginning in 1965 the band began playing their concerts in Wartburg Auditorium. The band’s current home, the A. F. Siebert Chapel, was officially dedicated on April 26, 1976, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
personnel Participating High School Bands Mary D. Bradford High School Karl Mueller Kenosha, WI
McHenry High School Ryan Cabildo McHenry, IL
Jerome Case High School Max Feiler Racine, WI
Oak Creek High School Amy Fuchs Oak Creek, WI
Elkhorn High School Sara Wuttke Elkhorn, WI
Park High School Mark Jensen Racine, WI
Greenfield High School Trudy Burnham Greenfield, WI
George N. Tremper High School Kathryn Ripley Kenosha, WI
Indian Trail High School and Academy Union Grove High School Zachary Fell Michael Monk Union Grove, WI Kenosha, WI
Johnsburg High School Bailey Schneyr Johnsburg, WI
Waukesha North High School Thomas Battersby Waukesha, WI 53140
Libertyville High School Adam Gohr Libertyville, IL
Zion-Benton High School Shan Kazmi Zion, IL
lakeside festival band personnel Trombone I
Lakeside Festival Band - October 31, 2026
Alex Licht Sean Schumacher Alex Paez
Case
Senior
Waukegan North
Junior
II Reagan Daugherty Knit Guzman Amelia McCray-Grotto
Greenfield Case
Junior Junior
II Philip Jacksack TJ Peterson Kuba Mines
Libertyville
Sophomore
Alivia Uttech Tremper Senior Luke Olen John Hearndon
Tuba Indian Trail
Flute I Eliyah Reese Elkhorn Senior Elizabeth Donlan McHenry Junior Whitney Welbon Union Grove Senior Gray Waldenstrom Aleigha Robbins Bradford Sophomore Charlotte Cantrell Johnsburg Senior Sarah Stirlin
Flute II
Euphonium
Angel Guzman Aaron Alvarado
lakeside festival band personnel
Anna Szczepanik McHenry Senior Serena Waldoch Emily Strehlow Greenfield Senior Emeli Valdes Johnsburg Junior Alex Slavin Ginger Shufelt Case Junior Maria Mota Park Freshman
Sophomore
Oboe Aaron Singh Dorothy Pike
Oak Creek
Junior
Percussion Aydan Robles Rodriquez Zion-Benton Junior Yael Gomez Zion-Benton Senior Ethan Justin Elkhorn Senior Demetrius Hernandez Greenfield Senior Mirian Marshall McHenry Junior
Percussion Percussion Timpani Keyboard/Perc. Keyboard
Bassoon Mabel Kovars
Greenfield
Junior
lakeside festival band personnel
lakeside festival band personnel
Clarinet I
Tenor Saxophone
Makayla Brown Indian Trail Senior Nora Kirk Bradford Sophomor Gwen Roberts Jocelyn Brunow Johnsburg Senior Kaylie Szczepanik
Khendal Nash Addison Waldo
Zion-Benton
Junior
Bradford
Junior
Evan Warren Oak Creek Senior
Clarinet III
Horn
Rebecca Riley Katelyn Floore Johnsburg Senior Ingrid Holt Olivia Marshall Bradford Junior Meghan Williams
I Chandler Burrow I Brock Hegedus II Anetta Guararrama III Adrainne Rodriguez IV Rachael Butzen
Bass Clarinet Hayley Post Shakira Johnson
Greenfield
Senior
Baritone Saxophone
Clarinet II Rayna Limon-Tabares Ely Alta Johanna Sandoval Bianca Wong
Greenfield
Tremper Indian Trail Zion Benton Zion Benton Elkhorn
Senior Senior Senior Sophomore Sophomore
Trumpet Junior
I Ashlye Jorge Sebastian Lara Delano Benser
Indian Trail Greenfield
Senior Junior
II Jaycob Gomez Jayden Steiner Jacob Ivan
Zion Benton Case
Sophomore Junior
III Mason Huber George Etes
Case Case
Senior Junior
Alto Saxophone I Keegan Davis Zion-Benton Senior Samantha Ward Oak Creek Junior Caleb Ehrler Emma Holcomb Indian Trail Sophomore Alto Saxophone II Talon Molina Case Senior McKenna Mathews Sonny Maan Indian Trail Sophomore Ben Lagerhausen