The John Kamarer Youth Soloist Competition
Before his untimely death, John Kamarer was a long time member of the Peoria Municipal Band playing alto saxophone and serving as the band manager. John was also the band director at Central Junior High in District 86 for many years. His love of music and his desire to inspire young musicians lives on through this annual competition.
Our 2025 winner is Natalie Loring, an incoming senior at Metamora Township High School. She began her flute instruction at Germantown Hills Middle School under her father, Eric Loring, and she continues her flute education under her mother Angela Loring (also a member of the Peoria Municipal Band) and Dr. Kyle Dzapo, Bradley University flute professor. This year, Natalie had the honor of sitting principal chair in the ILMEA All-State Band, Mid-Illini Honor Band, and Bradley University Honor Band. She is the principal flutist of the MTHS Wind Symphony, under the direction of Zachary Hilligoss and Kelly Jarosz. Along with flute, she plays marimba in the front ensemble at MTHS, and she looks forward to fulfilling her role as section leader this upcoming season. Natalie is looking forward to playing the first movement of La Flute de Pan by Jules Mouquet with the Peoria Municipal Band on Wednesday, June 25 and Sunday, June 29.