The Coal City Chapter of the Illinois Music Honors Society welcomed three new members at its Fourth Annual Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, April 15.
Illinois Music Honor Society is for Illinois music students in middle and/or high school who are dedicated to their school music program and wish to create and participate in extended opportunities for leadership, service, enrichment, and connection with other student musicians.
The 2025 inductees into the Music Honor Society are Jackson Hollis, class of 2029 and Abbi Hitchcock and Melody Leman, class of 2030
Students in the local Music Honor Society participate in a variety of music programs at their school including various divisions of Band, Choir, Madrigals and the performing arts..
Membership requirements for both new and returning members are rigorous and are based on musicianship, leadership, citizenship and scholarship. Examples of each of these qualities were presented by Music Honor Society members—Melody Kinder, president; Mason Natyshok, member; Jacob Cimino, secretary, and Rhaina Vanek, treasurer.
As each new member was introduced they stood and struck the gong, each making the same first sound of music as a new member of the society.
“The sound from the gong resonates outward from the center and it is our hope that
the influence of this distinguished group of students will do the same,” said Michael Kren, the school district's director of choirs
With the new members inducted, the students heard a message from Kevin Soto, a 2015 graduate of Coal City High School. During his high school years, Kevin was involved in numerous music programs including concert, marching and jazz band, choir, show choir, Madrigals and musicals. He continued his education at the University of Illinois where he was a member of the Marching Illini. He holds a bachelors and masters degree from U of I. Kevin currently serves as a social worker at Romeoville High School where he is a musical director and speech coach. Additionally, he continues to support the Coalers as a marching band technician.
Kevin shared that so many of his life experiences have been put in front of him because of music. Experiences that found him arching through the streets of Dublin, Ireland and across New York City in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Developing lifelong friendships and the experiences that come from those interactions —the joys of marriage and children, and the loss of those he held close.
“A song may end, but the feeling that song gives you never dies. That's why I continue to pursue music to this day and that is why I have been a part of this marching band since I graduated, why I became a musical director and why I will still be here supporting students, because nothing is more important than feeling that passion or giving it to someone else as an educator.,” Kevin said.
Kevin’s message was directed to all members of the Music Honor Society as the new inductees were joined on stage by the current membership.
Members of the Music Honor Society include:
Class of 2025—Melody Kinder, Mackenzie Messina, Vincenzo Mugnolo and Mason Natyshok
Class of 2026—Sawyer Chapman, Jacob Cimino, Grace Heatherwick, Abigail Kodat, Martin Ramirez, Olivia Sage and Rhaina Vanek.
Class of 2027—Cora Armstong, Wyatt Chase, Caroline Childers and Lorelai Erhard Class of 2028 —Jaiden Leman, Brady Pierson Abi Rose and Grace Sitar
Class of 2029—Owen Burla, Jaycee Chase , Jackson Hollis, Aiden Middleton and Jonathan Wegner.
Class of 2030—Abbi Hitchcock and Melody Leman
During the ceremony, music instructor Ann Kodat presented the senior members with their honor cords to be worn at graduation. A new addition to the induction was a performance by each of the seniors who were accompanied by Michael Kren.
Melody Kinder performed “I’m not that girl,” from “Wicked.” Melody plays clarinet in the marching and symphonic bands and was drum major for two seasons. She is part of Concert Singers and Madrigals, serving as queen her senior year. Melody participated in the performing arts—musicals and plays. She was also selected to participate in the Illinois Music Educators Association [ILMEA] District Choirs in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and was a member of the 2025 All State Choir.
Vincenzo Mugnolo presented “Contest Caprice,” a piece that earned him top ratings at the recent solo and ensemble contest. Vince, who plays tenor saxophone, has been part of the school’s marching, symphonic, jazz and pit bands.
Mason Natyshok performed a vocal solo of “Painkiller,” by Sara Aarons, Mark Landon and Ruel Vincent Van Dijk. Mason has participated in numerous vocal programs during high school including Concert Singers and Madrigals, He was selected to the 2024 and 2025 ILMEA District Choir and was part of the 2025 All State Choir. He also participates in the performing arts—musicals and plays, and in addition to local productions he has been in two All-State musicals.
Mackenzie Messina, who was unable to attend the induction ceremony, was also recognized for her contributions to the school music program and MHS. Mackenzie plays bassoon and bass. She is a member of the marching, symphonic, jazz and pit bands, as well as the wind ensemble. She was a 2023, 2024 and 2025 selection to the ILMEA District Band and was part of the 2024 and 2025 All State Band.
Coal City’s chapter of the Illinois Music Honor Society is sponsored by the Coal City Music Boosters and supported by the faculty of the district’s music programs.