Two Homewood-Flossmoor High School musicians have been selected to perform in the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s Rising Stars program.
Annie Ford of Flossmoor and Sophia McManus of Homewood, both seniors, will perform pieces during the program at Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road in Flossmoor, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 22. There is a $20 admission fee for adults.
Ford and McManus were selected through an audition process and teacher recommendations.
Ford, a trumpeter, started with the Parker Junior High band in eighth grade. She acknowledges that was a late start for a junior high musician, but she knew she wanted to be part of the H-F Marching Band. She is also a member of the H-F Jazz Band.
McManus was in the James Hart School orchestra and transitioned to the H-F band. Her two older sisters were also part of the H-F band. One was a woodwind player, the other was percussion, “so I knew I had to be brass,” she says of her choice to play French horn. “I just really liked how unique the French horn was and how complex the instrument was,” she said.
H-F band director Sarah Whitlock suggested Ford and McManus consider entering the Rising Stars competition.
“I’ve always been the kind of person to take on every opportunity I get,” McManus said. At H-F she’s involved in nine extra-curricular activities. “I just really like to challenge myself.” The competition was another challenge for her, “and I’m really glad I got it.”
Ford said her teacher’s encouragement was what she needed to meet the challenge, “so I decided to do it, and it was a nice surprise for all my hard work.”
Both students got to select the pieces they’ll perform. Ford is performing “Andante et allegretto” by Balay, and McManus is performings “Villanelle” by Paul Dukas.
Both students practice their pieces at H-F and off-hours as well. McManus takes private French horn lessons. Her teacher suggested the piece she’ll perform. Ford said she spends time at school refining the piece and then spends additional hours at home practicing.
McManus is the daughter of Kristine and Gerard McManus Homewood. She hasn’t decided where she’ll go for college, but she knows she’ll be part of the marching band.
Ford is the daughter of Jamie and Scott Ford of Flossmoor. She’s majoring in music education but hasn’t made a final college choice yet.
The two musicians say they are honored to represent Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s music department in the Rising Stars program.
“We’re representing what H-F means and how important it is to do hard work and then the payoff,” Ford said.
