Magazine of Latin School of Chicago

Latin students selected to perform with highly competitive ILMEA honor choirs

Twelve talented Latin students have earned a prestigious spot in the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) honor choirs this year, marking the highest number of students selected from Latin in recent years. 

Each year, ILMEA auditions attract some of the best young singers in the state, with on average only the top quartile of auditions selected for the district-level ensembles. This year, Latin had six students selected for the ILMEA Honors Chorus and an additional six selected for the 9-10 Honor Chorus which is open to ninth and tenth grade students.

Of those chosen for the district-level ensembles, an even further competitive group is selected for the All State Festival Chorus and All State Honors Festival Chorus, where some of the most exceptional young musicians across Illinois come together. The finalists for the All-State level will be announced later in 2024.

ILMEA’s District 1 is the largest and one of the most competitive districts in the state. Latin students have prepared audition materials since the beginning of the year, and have gone through a rigorous and competitive audition process. 

There are two festivals where students who are selected for the district-level ensembles work with a collegiate choral clinician and sing with more than 250 of their peers from over 60 surrounding schools. The first is the senior festival, which was held on Saturday, November 9, at Elmhurst University (pictured in this article). The second is the junior festival, which will take place on Saturday, November 23, at Unity Junior High School in Cicero. 

You can watch a video of the performance of “Measure Me Sky” from the senior festival here.

The following Latin students were selected for the ILMEA Honors Chorus:

  • Junior Level Participants (Middle School)
  • Sahana M.
  • Neysa P.
  • Nivi S.
  • Sybella Z.

Senior Level Participants (Upper School)

  • Finn D. 
  • Stella Tate R.F.

The following Latin students were selected for the 9-10 Honor Chorus:

  • Gianna B.
  • Ellen C.
  • Emma D.
  • Sebastian K.
  • Mateo L.
  • Noa W.

A huge congratulations to these talented student musicians.
 

Latin students perform with ILMEA honor choir at senior festival at Elmhurst University
Mateo L. and Sebastian K.
Stella Tate R.F., sophomore, and Finn D, senior, as well as Latin Vocal Music Director Phillip Brownlee

Stella Tate R.F., sophomore, and Finn D., senior, as well as Latin Vocal Music Director Phillip Brownlee

 

  • Arts
  • upper school
Latin students selected to perform with highly competitive ILMEA honor choirs

Twelve talented Latin students have earned a prestigious spot in the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) honor choirs this year, marking the highest number of students selected from Latin in recent years. 

Each year, ILMEA auditions attract some of the best young singers in the state, with on average only the top quartile of auditions selected for the district-level ensembles. This year, Latin had six students selected for the ILMEA Honors Chorus and an additional six selected for the 9-10 Honor Chorus which is open to ninth and tenth grade students.

Of those chosen for the district-level ensembles, an even further competitive group is selected for the All State Festival Chorus and All State Honors Festival Chorus, where some of the most exceptional young musicians across Illinois come together. The finalists for the All-State level will be announced later in 2024.

ILMEA’s District 1 is the largest and one of the most competitive districts in the state. Latin students have prepared audition materials since the beginning of the year, and have gone through a rigorous and competitive audition process. 

There are two festivals where students who are selected for the district-level ensembles work with a collegiate choral clinician and sing with more than 250 of their peers from over 60 surrounding schools. The first is the senior festival, which was held on Saturday, November 9, at Elmhurst University (pictured in this article). The second is the junior festival, which will take place on Saturday, November 23, at Unity Junior High School in Cicero. 

You can watch a video of the performance of “Measure Me Sky” from the senior festival here.

The following Latin students were selected for the ILMEA Honors Chorus:

  • Junior Level Participants (Middle School)
  • Sahana M.
  • Neysa P.
  • Nivi S.
  • Sybella Z.

Senior Level Participants (Upper School)

  • Finn D. 
  • Stella Tate R.F.

The following Latin students were selected for the 9-10 Honor Chorus:

  • Gianna B.
  • Ellen C.
  • Emma D.
  • Sebastian K.
  • Mateo L.
  • Noa W.

A huge congratulations to these talented student musicians.
 

Latin students perform with ILMEA honor choir at senior festival at Elmhurst University
Mateo L. and Sebastian K.
Stella Tate R.F., sophomore, and Finn D, senior, as well as Latin Vocal Music Director Phillip Brownlee

Stella Tate R.F., sophomore, and Finn D., senior, as well as Latin Vocal Music Director Phillip Brownlee

 

Explore Our News & Stories

Chloe Himmel ’04

Chloe Himmel ’04 was recently honored with the Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s Award for Leadership Excellence in 2024 for her outstanding service as Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs at DHS.

Reflecting on her time at Latin, Chloe shared that the school not only provided her with a rigorous academic foundation that set her up for success in college and her professional career but, more importantly, as a late bloomer, it was Latin’s dedicated teachers who recognized her potential and empowered her to develop a strong sense of self. Through their encouragement, she came to recognize her unique strengths and her ability to contribute meaningfully to the world.

Chloe credits Latin’s commitment to experiential learning, through opportunities like debate, student government, and community service, with giving her invaluable firsthand experience in leadership and civic engagement. Her time at Latin not only sharpened her intellectual curiosity but also gave her the confidence to pursue a career in public service.

She fondly remembers Dr. Fript as one of the most influential teachers in her Latin experience. Among her most meaningful memories is delivering a speech to the assembly debating the discriminatory enforcement of the dress code. She also looks back warmly on the Reindeer Games and her involvement in field hockey and soccer, describing her time at Latin as impactful, empowering, and confidence-building.
 

  • Alumni
The following athletes from the Chicago Latin Swim Club (CLSC) qualified for the Illinois regional championship meet: Anna K, Kai M., Krishna I., Daniel Z., Lillian W., Kyla B., Maya S., Scarlet M., Mia R., Nate W., Luke W. and Matilda Y.

The following athletes from the Chicago Latin Swim Club (CLSC) qualified for the Illinois regional championship meet: Anna K, Kai M., Krishna I., Daniel Z., Lillian W., Kyla B., Maya S., Scarlet M., Mia R., Nate W., Luke W. and Matilda Y.

Anna, Kai, Daniel, Luke and Matilda went on to place in the top eight in many of their individual events at the meet. In addition, Maya and Daniel earned times that qualified them for the state tournament. We want to congratulate all the CLSC swimmers on their postseason success.

Have questions or need more information about CLSC? Please contact head coach Logan Rogers at lrogers@latinschool.org.

  • Athletics
  • middle school
April 24 Athletes of the Week

Congratulations to our Athletes of the Week during the period of Feb. 27 - April 25, 2025!

Isabella ‘25 has been a force on defense all season, and this week she took it to another level. In a big win over U-High, she racked up 21 saves and came up with a game-sealing steal in the fourth quarter. She followed it up with 9 more saves against LFA, holding them scoreless for three straight quarters in a dominant 12-1 win.

Jake ‘25, senior captain of the boys tennis team, is off to a strong start at 1-Doubles. He and his partner went 3-0 in mid April, including 2 wins in 2A and 1 in the ISL. Jake leads by example in practice and sets the tone for a strong season ahead.

Andrew ‘26: Kicking off the spring volleyball season strong, Andrew tallied 15 digs, 5 aces, and led the team with 25 service attempts across two matches in early April. A great all-around performance!

Athletes of the Week April 2025

 

  • Athletics
  • upper school
Susan Haskins-Doloff ’67

Susan Haskins-Doloff’s ’67 remarkable career in the arts was nurtured both at Latin and during her time at Sarah Lawrence College. 

After earning her BA, Susan launched her career behind the scenes at La MaMa Experimental Theater in New York, quickly rising to become the institution’s first Art Director. Over the years, she wore many hats in the theater world. For two decades, she also shared her expertise as a faculty member at the Pratt Institute, teaching English and Arts Management. 

In 1992, Susan embarked on the “Theater Talk” project, a weekly half-hour television series she co-created, co-hosted, and executive produced. Conceived as the “Meet the Press of theater,” the show began on Manhattan public access and was picked up in 1996 by PBS station THIRTEEN. Over its 22-year run, “Theater Talk” featured hundreds of interviews with leading theater professionals, including icons like David Byrne, Sting, and Cyndi Lauper. The show aired on over 65 public television stations nationwide and earned four Emmy nominations—winning two, in 2017 and 2019, for Best Interview/Discussion Show in New York.

As Executive Producer, Susan raised funds, designed sets, booked guests, supervised editing, and co-hosted with notable journalists. In 2019, her industry contributions were further recognized with her induction into the Silver Circle Society of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, honoring her 25 years of outstanding service to television.

Though she has since stepped away from production, Susan continues to manage the “Theater Talk” archive on YouTube and has returned to her roots as a visual artist.

Susan credits the Latin School of Chicago with sparking her creative journey. Encouraged by caring teachers such as Barbara Florio Graham and the late Courtlandt R. Gilmour, she found both a refuge and launchpad for her passions. Her leadership on the 1967 yearbook, presidency of the drama club, and active involvement in “The Roman,” the literary magazine, and the Erasmus Society all set the stage for a lifelong commitment to the arts.

Reflecting on her years at Latin, Susan fondly recalls the supportive community and the challenges that helped her grow. She’s especially grateful for teachers who “got her,” and whose encouragement helped her build a career spanning over five decades. 

 

Susan Haskins-Doloff ’67


 

  • Alumni