Maddy Kelly, a junior from Arlington Heights, will take her place next week in the all-state chorus at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria. As part of the state’s top ensemble, she will perform under the direction of Dr. Karyl Carlson, director of musical activities at Illinois State University.
It’s a long way from her start in the children’s choir at St. James Church in Arlington Heights and the multiple roles she has played in musical theater productions. But her choral director at Saint Viator says Kelly has earned her state bid.
“Maddy is a gifted singer, and a wonderful student who has worked hard and is meticulous in her approach to learning music,” says Saint Viator Choral Director Kristina Sandrock. “I am so proud of her accomplishment this year, and can't wait to be there with her at the state concert. It's an honor she truly earned.”
At Saint Viator, Kelly performs with the Chamber Singers and in the Music Ministry ensemble. She also is preparing for her role in the upcoming production of "The Sound of Music," in which she plays the Mother Abbess.
Both Kelly and her classmate, Sara Fecko of Arlington Heights, were selected in November by members of the Illinois Music Educators’ Association to the senior chorus of District 7 — that takes in the North and Northwest suburbs — of the Illinois Music Education Conference.
They performed with the All-District chorus in a special concert at New Trier High School.
In December, Kelly learned she had been named to the all-state choir, which performs Jan. 28 at the IMEC’s state conference, held at the Peoria Civic Center and before nearly 10,000 people.
Singing in front of a crowd is nothing new for Kelly. As a freshman, she held the role of Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" at Saint Viator. Sophomore year, she played Hodel, the daughter who leaves for Siberia to follow her husband, in "Fiddler on the Roof."
But she also has appeared in "A Christmas Carol" at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre and in "Jane Eyre" with the Big Noise Theatre Compnay. During her middle school years, Kelly appeared in "The King and I," "Pirates of Penzance," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Seussical the Musical," all with St. James Parish Productions.
