By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
It all started with a request.
Kate Dallmier wanted to learn to play the piano.
She wasn’t yet in kindergarten.
Her parents couldn’t accommodate the request themselves.
“We are a family of scientists, with very little intrinsic musical talent,”said Michelle Dallmier, Kate’s mom.
That didn’t mean the answer was no.
“As luck would have it, my best friend is a wonderful piano teacher who recognized Kate’s love of music,” Michelle Dallmier said.
It didn’t take much convincing for Beth Norton to take on an additional student.
“Thirteen years later, music still brings Kate so much joy and plays a significant part in her life,” Michelle Dallmier said.
“Kate’s passion for music has always been a constant in her life, even when she was very young.”
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Kate Dallmier didn’t need to be forced to take lessons nor did she view them as a chore.
Her nurturing teacher was part of the reason.
“Beth Norton (from Mahomet) helped me discover a love for music,” Kate Dallmier said. “As a result of this love of music, I knew I wanted to play in the band,”
To make that dream become a reality, she had to leave the area where she was comfortable.
“Piano was not an option in concert band,” Kate Dallmier said.
As a fifth-grader, she tried the alto saxophone and, “decided that it was ‘the cool instrument’ and the instrument for me.”
For the past six years, she has been taking private lessons with Champaign’s Chris Anderson.
“Chris has made playing the saxophone something that I continually learn from, but also have fun while doing,” Kate Dallmier said. “I enjoy the versatility in the music that is available to play.
“There is classical, jazz, contemporary and everything in between written for the saxophone.”
Michelle Dallmier is appreciative that her daughter has been able to study under two outstanding tutors.
“Both of them are amazing musicians and teachers and have been instrumental in Kate’s growth both as a musician and a good human being,” Michelle Dallmier said. “We are deeply grateful for both of them,”
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Dallmier is one of six Mahomet-Seymour seniors who will perform in the Jazz Dinner Concert on Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.
The others are: Clayton Bartlett (trombone), Christina Nielsen (trombone), Jacob Norton (tenor saxophone), Sarah Schum (alto saxophone) and Stephanie Winkless (trumpet).
In all, about 50 students will perform, including some from the junior high school.
You won’t hear Kate Dallmier on the alto saxophone, however.
“I started playing tenor saxophone for jazz band in junior high, and enjoyed it so much that I continued playing tenor saxophone for the high school jazz band,” Kate Dallmier said. “When I first started playing, I definitely thought of myself as only an alto saxophone player, but now I think of myself as a saxophone player.
“I enjoy that there is little transition necessary to play another type of saxophone. This way I am not locked into one specific saxophone and can seamlessly switch between them.”
M-S band director Michael Stevens considers her a complete player.
“Kate was apprehensive at first to double over on tenor saxophone,” Stevens said. “It didn’t take long though for her to embrace the new horn.
“She has worked very hard to improve her technique in section playing and as a soloist.”
Dallmier embraced the traits needed to achieve at a high level.
“Like most everyone, practice and gaining confidence are keys to moving to the next level of anything and Kate has done both,” Stevens said. “Like many students in the band, Kate does a great job of demonstrating leadership both as a player and as a fantastic young person. She will be greatly missed upon graduation.”
Last weekend, M-S was the Class A champion and took first place overall as the top high school jazz band in the 60th Eastern Illinois University Jazz Festival.
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Like any instrument, the saxophone presents challenges.
“I think the hardest part of any type of music is the detail that is necessary to make a piece of music come alive,” Kate Dallmier aid. “To me, the hardest part of jazz is learning how to play in a style that is completely different than what is played in band.”
As someone who can read music, one of the most daunting tasks is to play when there is no music to read.
“A big part of jazz is improvisation solos,” Kate Dallmier said. “At first, these solos seem terrifying.
“For years before, we are taught to play the notes on a page of music, and now there are blank lines that offer little help during a solo. Every note, every rhythm, every idea has to come from you.
“The best way to improve at this type of solo is to simply go for it, which can also prove difficult because of the factor of the unknown that is present.”
With years of practice, Dallmier now doesn’t miss a beat.
“I have come to love playing jazz,” Kate Dallmier said. “The improvisation solos that used to seem frightening now offer lines where I have complete freedom.
“This feeling of freedom to play anything and share your own musical ideas is amazing.”
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Michelle Dallmier particularly likes the avenues which music have opened for her daughter.
“When teens are involved in extracurricular activities outside of the classroom, it opens doors for them to new possibilities, both in experiences and in relationships,” Michelle Dallmier said. “They have the opportunity to make friendships with more people than just the kids that they sit next to in class every day.
“This is one thing that we really value about MSHS’s band programs. The older students serve as mentors for the underclassmen and friendships grow among many diverse kids. Being involved in extracurriculars helps teens learn to balance different demands in their lives and gives then the chance to succeed in many different arenas.”
As the Dallmiers watched their daughter grow into a mentor and a leader, they witnessed other transformations.
“Over the past six years in band, we have seen Kate grow in both confidence and musical ability,” Michelle Dallmier said. “She is very fortunate to have wonderful music tutors who have pushed her and challenged her to continually grow as a musician and as a person.
“Performing on stage and on the field in jazz and marching band has given her confidence in herself that has extended into many other areas of her life.”
Kate Dallmier’s aptitude for music wasn’t derived from either Mom or Dad.
“Not a single grain of musical ability between us,” said Michelle Dallmier, who works for the Natural Sciences Department at Parkland College.
Her husband, Ken, has his doctorate in Plant Breeding from Iowa State University and is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Clarkson Grain, a Cerro Gordo-based company that sources organic and identity-preserved grain for clients around the world.
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Kate Dallmier doesn’t plan to give up music any time soon.
“I absolutely see myself continuing to play beyond high school,” she said. “I am currently auditioning at the colleges I have applied to, in order to be able to continue playing and learning with my saxophone.
“Music has always been an important aspect of my life, and I will continue to have music in my life for the entirety of my life.”
She was in Marching Band at the high school for four years and Jazz Band for three years.
“I had the amazing opportunity this past year to be a section leader and with a group of three other fantastic ladies, we were in charge of the alto saxophone section,” Kate Dallmier aid. “I also had the opportunity to be one of the soloists this past year in Marching Band.
“It was something I had never done before, and playing in the giant stadiums was an amazing experience.”
One of the life lessons learned, according to Michelle Dallmier, is that there is never a guarantee that hard work will lead to the desired result.
“She has learned that much of music is subjective, based upon one performance in a single moment in time,” Michelle Dallmier said. “Even when you have spent countless hours practicing and preparing, there can be disappointment.
“This is really tough when you are a teen. Through this, I think that Kate has learned to persevere and to derive more satisfaction from the hard work of conquering challenging pieces of music rather than from awards and placements.”
Kate Dallmier agrees that results aren’t always the bottom line.
“When something is difficult, I have learned to not give up and how to break it down to make it possible,” she said. “I have also learned that true value can not be measured in awards, and instead is knowing you achieved something difficult through putting in countless hours of hard work.”
She will be forever grateful that her parents encouraged her interest in music at a young age.
“I think jazz band has pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things,” Kate Dallmier said, “from switching saxophones to learning how to play a well-structured improvisation solo.
“Band in general has also helped me to find an amazing group of friends that I value greatly.”
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Kate Dallmier’s focus is not strictly on music and academics.
“In my free time, I also compete on an Interscholastic Equestrian Team (not associated with the high school),” Kate Dallmier said. “In these competitions, we go to other barns and show horses we have never had any experience with before.
“We show both over fences and on the flat. I have ridden horses since sixth grade and have always greatly enjoyed it. I especially love the teamwork it takes between the rider and the horse.”
All of her interests and activities have helped define the person she has become.
“I think that in learning to balance music, academics, and her other passion (riding), Kate has developed an incredible work ethic and she has learned that she can succeed at really big challenges,” Michelle Dallmier said.
The teen-ager is not slacking off as she prepares for college.
“In the future, I want to major in biochemistry with a career goal of being involved in medical research,” Kate Dallmier said. “I have always enjoyed science and I think this is a way I can hopefully make a difference in the world.”
It would be a second world for Kate Dallmier to conquer. She has already made an impact on the music world at Mahomet-Seymour High School.
