Kostbade lends his voice to All-State Choir

Coal City High School senior Aidan Kostbade will join some of top high school vocal and instrumental musicians in the state after being chosen for the All-State Choir.
“We are very excited and honored to have one of our students qualify,” said high school principal Chris Spencer, who introduced Kostbade to members of the Unit 1 Board of Education.
In recognition of his achievement, Kostbade was honored by the Board at its January meeting and they agreed to contribute $250 towards the cost of his participation in the choir.
Selection to the choir this year started with an on-line application and audition, each potential vocalist submitting recordings to the selection committee.
Kostbade acknowledged his vocal coach, Shanan D’Agostino for her work in preparing him for the audition.
The Illinois Music Education Association members will gather in Peoria Jan. 26-29 for the conference that will conclude with a concert presented by the All-State choir.
Along with being selected as an All-State vocalist, Kostbade was one of four Coalers selected to participate in the district festival in November and one of 12 students selected to the vocal jazz honor choir.
Coal City is located within ILMEA District 1, a division that includes 165 schools located in Grundy and Cook counties, as well as portions Kendall, Will and DuPage counties.
“It’s an awesome achievement,” said Hope Connelly, the high school’s director of bands and representative to the ILMEA.
Kostbade, the son of Mike and Amy Kostbade, thanked the board for taking the time to recognize his music achievements and shared his excitement for the upcoming festival.
Kostbade plans to enter music education after high school starting with enrollment at Millikin University in Decatur.
Kostbade is involved in a number of activities at the high school including band, theatre and Madrigals.