In recent years, Hall High School’s music program has achieved regional and even national recognition. The three appearances in the last four years at Essentially Ellington, an invite-only jazz competition at New York City’s Lincoln Center, are just one measure of the massive musical success Hall has amassed under the direction of James Antonucci. While his leadership may have sparked the amazing growth that groups such as Hall’s Concert Jazz Band have experienced, two musicians – Elias Heinen and Ryan Venora – both played a key role in transforming the program.

Outstanding 2019 graduate Eli Heinen is one such example of a stellar musician and arbiter of Hall’s success. From his first time picking up a trombone in the fourth grade, his natural talent was obvious.  In his four years at Hall, Heinen participated in three Essentially Ellington competitions. 

As he grew older, Heinen’s role as both a performer and leader to the group advanced as well. Heinen described his drive this way: “Ellington isn’t until May, but me and the rest of the band made it a goal and a priority in September that we would be performing at Rose Theater at the festival.”  He pushed band-members to strive for success and encouraged a mindset that every individual mattered and needed to contribute, even in the most stressful of situations. 

Beyond Hall’s auditorium walls, Heinen had even larger aspirations, and his musical future became apparent to him during his CJB days.  “Going into my junior year I knew that music was the thing I was best at and the thing I enjoyed doing the most,” Heinen said.   

A motivated student, Heinen found himself in the position to go to one of the best colleges in the world because of his musical talent. Scoring an audition at the University of Michigan, Heinen rose to the occasion and landed himself an acceptance letter to the school of his dreams. 

Joining him at the University in Michigan is 2019 Hall graduate Ryan Venora, a brilliant trumpet player.  Venora was co-leader of the Concert Jazz Band as well as a close friend of Heinen. “I think when I started mostly playing lead junior year it definitely helped that we were close because we shared a really similar mindset,” Venora said of his relationship with Heinen.   

The dynamic duo easily could have competed against each other, but instead, they always wanted what was best for one another.  Venora and Heinen, year after year, continued to push the band to their fullest potential. Hopefully their legacy will continue to beat on here at Hall.