Hancock Student Joins Senior Orchestra in the Illinois Music Education Association
By Marco Jaramillo
Hancock student shares his experience auditioning after encouragement from Hancock’s band teacher
Juan Garcia, Jr., the first Hancock student to place in the Senior Orchestra in the ILMEA
Photo courtesy of Juan Garcia, Jr
Juan Garcia, Jr. is a senior who is going to major in music performance. He’s been auditioning across the country. He’s been interested in music since 4th grade when he joined the Merit School of Music, a nationally accredited music school that provides high-quality music education in the West Loop of Chicago. He said, “When I got into a Conservatory at Merit School of Music it really made me want to learn more.”
Juan Garcia Jr. surprisingly had no plans of getting into band coming into Hancock, having dropped his practices back during Covid quarantine. According to him, he came back thanks to Mr. Catomer, Hancock’s band teacher, who suggested that Juan should persevere with band and go back to it during the first week of classes. Juan was known among his teachers and classmates for having a solid background in music and that’s what he continues pushing forward with.
In October, Juan auditioned for the Illinois Music Education Association, one of the largest state music education associations in the country, according to their website. Juan explained that his reason for auditioning was because it is a tradition at his conservatory to see where students rank among each other and to also gain experience.
He said, “I did this three years ago and I got second in the state. And then from there I was just like down. So I thought I had to redeem myself.” This year Juan placed in the only spot for his instrument in the Senior Orchestra, getting the only spot available across Chicago.
Auditions are done by recordings, According to Juan, he makes multiple recordings until he is satisfied, sometimes that can take him up to months of redoing recordings until he is satisfied. He said, “When I focus on myself, being happy, and like just playing for fun, that's when I get the best product.”
Besides that, Juan’s process with auditioning consists of practicing his pieces and going over them, listening to professionals play the pieces, and getting inspiration from them.
The downside to all of this is Juan’s busy schedule. Throughout Thanksgiving break, Juan focused on recording his auditions, taking time from his social life, being unable to make plans.
Apart from placing in the only trombone spot for the senior orchestra, Juan was also selected to play in All-State. That means he will be playing with people all around the state in Peoria, Illinois.
Juan Garcia, Jr. said, “It felt good. Hancock is like part of a new generation of kids coming in for art. It will make them feel like they want to go here. I feel like there's definitely potential to it. It's just the right type of people.”
This was written in Hancock’s journalism class for The Signature.