DeMatha’s music program was founded in 1970 by John Mitchell and is acclaimed for its excellence. It has achieved an exceptional winning record, particularly with the Wind Ensemble being named the top Catholic High School Band in the United States 18 times by the National Catholic Bandmaster’s Association.
DeMatha performing groups consistently receive “Superior” ratings and 1st place finishes at various festivals all across the country, including New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Chicago, Daytona Beach, Toronto, and countless other locations.
DeMatha’s musicians have a strong bond with their peers according to sophomore Jason Ayers. “I feel as if we are almost like synced up, like when we’re playing a song the whole band is tuned in, like the trumpets kind of are all turning the pages at the same time, every French horn is tuned with one another. Same thing with all the band.”
More than 1,000 students have been selected for the All-State Band and Choir since 1970. In 2023, five DeMath students were selected. In 2024 it was four, all for the Voices of DeMatha. This year 18 DeMatha students have been selected for the All-State Band and Choir, including Jason for French Horn. “I am very grateful to have been selected, and I am happy that the hard work of all the musicians paid off,” he says.
DeMatha has many excellent music teachers. Mr. Jim Turk is the Director of Vocal Music; Mr. Matthew Bickel ’95 is the Director of Instrumental Music; Dr. Michael Gatti is the Music Department Chair; and Mr. Carlos Castrillon ’95 is the Director of Bands. Additionally, Mrs. Jennifer Cibor is the department’s administrative assistant.
DeMatha’s musicians have upheld the department’s expectations with Dr. Gatti saying, “I’m proud of how the students have met their expectations, and how they’ve surpassed them.” Sophomore Chase Snyder appreciates that not only do his teachers set a high standard for musicians, but classmates “also remind all of the other students of the expectations.”
Every year DeMatha performs multiple concerts for the school and for trips. The Kaleidoscope concert is the biggest one, which takes place in the fall about a month after school starts. The music program has six major performances in total, three in the fall and winter and three in the spring, with several smaller concerts held at the end of each semester.
While the instrumental program often gets a lot of the headlines, DeMatha’s choral program is outstanding, as well. Students who participate in chorus are recognized by students for singing hymns for Mass. “Its cool that we get to perform during Mass,” Patrick Moran, a senior member of Voices of DeMatha says. “We don’t feel any sense of pressure in doing it. It is fun to do the hymns.”
The music program recently wrapped up their winter concert series and now begin preparations for the spring semester with a new set of music to learn and festivals to prepare for.
