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.
Luke Kelly, an incoming senior at Washington Community High School, is the 2024 winner of the John Kamarer Youth Soloist Competition. He has been playing the Euphonium since 5th grade and currently studies privately with Dan Dietrich. This past marching season he was selected to be the Low Brass section leader for the Marching Panthers. Luke is also a member of the Musical Pit and the top Jazz Band at WCHS. He is on the track team and plays Intramural Volleyball and Basketball. On Wednesday, June 26th and Sunday, June 30th Luke will be performing The Green Hill by Bert Appermont with the Peoria Municipal Band
Past Winners
2023 – Samantha Schweizer, alto saxophone, Washington High School
2022 – Noah Johnson, alto saxophone, Washington High School
2021 – No Winner
2020 – No Winner
2019 – Michael John Paul Meyer, flute, Notre Dame High School
2018 – Amy Zhou, clarinet, Dunlap High School
2017 – Nathaniel Sanchez, oboe, Metamora High School
2016 – No Winner
2015 – Mallika Patel, flute, Metamora High School
2014 – No Winner
2013 – David Fenner, horn, Metamora High School
2012 – Mitch Lutz, clarinet, Morton High School
2011 – Colby Spengler, clarinet, Morton High School
2010 – Eileen Prescott, flute, Richwoods High School
2009 – William Butterfield III, trumpet, Richwoods High School
2008 – Dana Sloter, clarinet, Richwoods High School
2007 – Mark Donahue, clarinet, Morton High School
2006 – Emily Coon, flute, Morton High School
2005 – Brianna Gipp, oboe, Peoria Christian High School
2004 – Micah Lancaster, horn, Elvista Baptist Academey
2003 – Joshua Lancaster, trumpet, Elvista Baptist Academy
2002 – Kevin Moletti, trumpet, Dunlap High School
2001 – Samantha Inman, flute, Peoria Christian High School
2000 – Jeremy Clark, percussion, Manual High School
1999 – Sarah Robinson, trombone, Manual High School
