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.
The 2019 John Kamarer Youth Soloist Competition was held on Saturday, June 22nd at Dingeldine Music Center on the Bradley University campus. Congratulations to the 2019 winner, Michael John Paul Meyer, a recent graduate of Peoria Notre Dame High School, where he was involved in a variety of ensembles, including Peoria Notre Dame’s Concert Choir, Jazz and Chamber Ensemble (titled Scattered!), Concert Band, Marching Band, and Pep Band. Additionally, Michael was involved in several musical theatre productions, acting most notably as Reverend Shaw in Footloose. Outside of Notre Dame, Michael was a member of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony and is a current member of the Sacred Heart Church Choir.
Michael will be the fourth member of his family to perform with the Municipal band, as his three older sisters, Rebecca Opperman, Katie Speiden, and Stephanie Bartman have all performed as featured vocalists. Michael has taken flute lessons for 8 years, first under the tutelage of Valorie Mills and currently under the direction of Angela Loring. He is an Illinois State Scholar, a Sterling Merit Scholar, an Eagle Scout, and the recipient of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, the National School Choir Award, and department awards for both English and Latin. Michael plans to attend Bradley University in the fall and study Business Management.