Time:
Wednesday
December, 20, 2023
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Location:
W196
Category
Middle School Jazz Ensemble
Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The HMS Jazz Ensemble is the performing jazz ensemble at Hinsdale Middle School in Hinsdale, IL. and is under the direction of George Andrikokus. It is made up of students in grades 6th-8th and the band rehearses regularly on Tuesday evenings with sectionals in a variety of settings to focus on section playing and improvisation. The HMS Jazz Ensemble has received recognition for outstanding performances & soloists in addition to receiving the highest ratings at both the Illinois Grade School Music Association District and State Contests. In addition to performances at local festivals, the band has performed on WGN’S Midday Fix and the Illinois Music Education Conference. The HMS Jazz Ensemble also finds time to perform for community events and has performances with local area Big Bands at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, Heroes West in Lemont, The Venue in Aurora, IL and the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, among others.
Hinsdale Middle School Jazz Ensemble
Conductor's Bio
George Andrikokus is the director of bands and instrumental jazz programs at Hinsdale Middle School. After graduating with a Bachelors of Music in Education from Elmhurst College in 2007, he taught in Addison School District #4 (2007-2013), in Bensenville School District #2 (2013-2016), and was the director of the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage (2012-2015). Under his leadership, George’s students have had the opportunity to perform at contests and festivals throughout the Midwest such as the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC), The Jazz Education Network Conference, The Greater St. Louis UMSL Jazz Festival and were featured on the WGN Midday Fix on three occasions. In 2013, George received the Quinlan & Fabish Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award and the IGSMA Barbara Buehlman Young Conductor’s Award. He now serves as the Vice President of the Illinois Grade School Music Association and has his master's degree in Teacher Leadership from Elmhurst College (’20).
In his professional career, George is an active clinician, guest artist, and adjudicator in and around Illinois for various district and state honors ensembles. George has had the opportunity to not only perform and teach in and around the Midwest, but also in Australia, England, and Malta. George has had the opportunity to perform with jazz greats Bobby Shew, Jim Widner, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gary Smulyan, and many others. He is a member of the National Band Association, Jazz Education Network, Illinois Music Education Association and the National Association For Music Education. He currently lives in Lombard, IL with his wife Allison, daughter Clara (7) , and son George (4).
Back