Congratulations to Matthew Piatak ’25, who was recently selected for the 2025 Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) All-State Choir. High school students from across the state of Ohio auditioned to participate in this selective choir.
The All-State Choir will gather for three days of rehearsal at Cleveland State University in February, culminating in a performance at the annual OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) Professional Development Conference on Friday, February 7th at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Matthew will be one of 120 singers who will make up the choir. The choir will be conducted by Dr. Jonathan Palant, Associate Dean of the Arts and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas at Dallas, founder and conductor of the Credo Community Choir and the Dallas Street Choir.
Matthew is the second Saint Ignatius student ever to participate in the OMEA All-State Choir. This year, Matthew is one of only four participants from Catholic high schools. Additionally, Jackson Kenny ‘26 was selected as one of 24 alternates for the choir.
For the audition, Matthew had to prepare a solo piece from an approved list of art songs and submit a recording to OMEA back in the spring of this year. Special thanks to Mr. Matthew Dolan, our staff pianist, for assisting with the recording.
Matthew expressed excitement and gratitude for this opportunity:
“When I found out that I got accepted into the choir I honestly felt extremely blessed and grateful for the opportunity,” Matthew said. “I recorded my audition back in May and found out on August 31st, so I had been anxiously waiting for my results up until now. Mr. Croglio has been a phenomenal mentor and I would never have had the chance to perform at the state level if it weren't for him.”
Mr. David Croglio, Director of Choral and Liturgical Music at Saint Ignatius High School, shared his pride in Matthew’s accomplishments:
“I am very proud of the work that Matthew did to learn his music for his audition. Much of this had to be done on his own time, and he did so with discipline and great artistry. I know he will learn amazing things from Dr. Palant and grow in his skills as a choral artist and musician,” Croglio said. “He will have a great time meeting other high schoolers who are just as enthusiastic about singing. This will certainly be a memory that he will carry with him throughout his lifetime.”
This is not Matthew’s first significant accomplishment this school year. Matthew was recently presented with the #34 recognition for the Chorus, an award given out to honor the legacy of beloved Theology teacher Jim Skerl '74, who died after a battle with cancer on October 23, 2014. Each year, a coach or director from each varsity sport, chorus, band, and the Harlequins awards the #34 to a student who most emulates the character of Jim Skerl, who played, worked, taught, and served for the Greater Glory of God.
Congratulations to Matthew Piatak ’25 and Jackson Kenny ’26!