For a second consecutive year, Coal City High School band members Abby Kodat and Martin Ramirez attended Eastern Music Camp at Eastern Illinois University, and auditioned in the top band at camp.
Abby, a trumpet player, and Martin, a tuba player, were both recognized with Outstanding Camper Scholarships by EMC—Abby in 2024 and Martin in 2025. Only two musicians from each ensemble are chosen every year, so this a huge honor for the Coal City students to have both earned the award that recognized their talent, leadership and attitude.
The weeklong camp is held each July with hundreds of campers who are focusing on band, chorus, musical theater, instrumental jazz and piano. Ensemble rehearsals, sections and other elective classes are taught by Eastern’s music faculty.
Coal City Music Boosters help provide summer camp opportunities through scholarships and individual student accounts, as they understand the benefits of attending an outside camp. These camps allow student musicians to become more proficient on their instruments which is perfect timing as they enter their school’s band camp and marching season.