A star-spangled singer

Zachary Kurzenberger (12) stands in the middle of a crowded gym, clutching a microphone. Two teams of girls’ volleyball players stand on either side of him, and the previously rowdy crowd is momentarily hushed. Anticipation and anxiousness course through the players, and a jolt of nervous excitement runs through Zac before he opens his mouth to sing.

Kurzenberger was one of five students selected to sing the national anthem at an IHSA state final event. On November 14, he sang for nearly 1,000 girls’ volleyball players and fans assembled at Redbird Arena, after being chosen as one of the best singers in the state through ILMEA. To practice for the event, Kurzenberger sang the national anthem at the IHSA boys’ swimming sectional last spring, VHHS girls’ basketball games last winter and three home football games this fall.

“I was always a little nervous right before singing, but I didn’t worry about it that much at the volleyball finals because I had gotten so much practice,” Kurzenberger said. “The time I was most worried was probably the first home football game, because it was a massive crowd and a big stadium. But after doing it so many times, I’ve gotten used to it.”

As a part of being named ILMEA All-State last winter, Kurzenberger was able to audition to sing the national anthem. In the first round of auditions, he was chosen as one of the top two individuals from his district. He and the other 17 best-of-district students then progressed to another round of auditions in Peoria, where the best of that group was selected to sing at one of the IHSA finals.

“[Zac] is the top 1% of the 1%. He came into choir being very strong, and he’s only grown since then,” said choir teacher Mr. Jeremy Little, who has taught Kurzenberger for four years. “Sometimes when you get a smart student, they slack off and don’t try too hard, but Zac is the opposite. He’s very bright and he’s one of the hardest-working people in there.”

Kurzenberger first got involved with music at age three when he started taking piano lessons. In middle school, he was inspired to join choir because his older sister was in it and he had always enjoyed playing Karaoke Revolution.

“Imagine the kindest and most down to earth person there ever was,” said Stephie Benito (12), who met Kurzenberger in middle school choir and has sung with him for six years. “Then add the voice of an angel, and you pretty much have Zac. He’s also extremely intelligent, but not in the way that makes you feel intimidated. The greatest thing about him is that even though he’s so talented in so many ways, he’s one of the most humble people I know.”

In addition to being a member of chamber choir, Kurzenberger is also president of Math Team, a district board representative, and involved in Backlight Theater Company. He has one job singing at the First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield, and another as a tutor at Mathnasium. While he enjoys all of his commitments, he says it can be hard balancing his musical commitment with his other activities.

“I definitely have a big struggle balancing and scheduling everything I’m involved in,” Kurzenberger said. “Then with getting sleep on top of everything, and doing schoolwork, it gets pretty busy. I wish there was more time in the day.”

In college, Kurzenberger plans to to continue participating in a wide range of activities. He hopes to attend Northwestern and double-major in economics and vocal performance, but otherwise he’ll pursue a single major in either business or economics.

“Regardless of where I go, I’m definitely going to be involved in an a capella group because they’re everywhere, so I’m not worried about that,” Kurzenberger said. “I also want to do a chamber group around the holidays or something, because my favorite stuff to sing is Christmas carols.”

After the holiday events with chamber choir die down, Kurzenberger will participate in ILMEA All-State again at the end of January. There, he will rehearse a repertoire of six songs for three days and then perform them with the rest of the All-State choir. After All-State, he will be enjoying his last year in chamber choir with the rest of the seniors.
“Zac is the kind of choir student that goes above and beyond all the time,” Benito said. “When I found out he was singing the national anthem, I was thrilled. I know it’s a huge deal and I know how hard he worked to get those auditions. I honestly couldn’t imagine anyone else doing a better job than him.”