2025 ILMEA ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL (audition only)
2025 ILMEA ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL (audition only)
2025 ILMEA Honors Orchestra Festival Auditions
Each fall, the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) provides our students with an opportunity to perform with other outstanding orchestra students from our region of Illinois in a one day Honors Orchestra Festival experience. Students participate in an individual (video recorded) audition that will determine selection for this year’s ILMEA Honors Orchestra. Auditions will be due at the end of September 2025. Selected students will rehearse with a guest conductor during the Honors Orchestra Festival, held on Saturday, Nov. 15th (location TBD), and then perform in the Honor’s Orchestra Concert that same afternoon.
Audition Requirements:
Students who are interested in auditioning for ILMEA must work to prepare all scales and both etudes over the summer months and then complete/return the ILMEA registration form (which will be handed out in the fall) to Mrs. Friederich or Mr. Hornig. ILMEA auditions will need to be completed via video recording, and video auditions will be due at the end of September 2025. Students must learn and practice all of the scales but will only need to perform two of those scales for the audition. Students will be notified of the two specific scales they will need to perform for the audition at the beginning of September. Students are highly encouraged to work with private lesson teachers while preparing the audition material.
ILMEA 2025 Audition Music:
If you did not pick up an audition packet from Mrs. Friederich or Mr. Hornig, you should click on your instrument below and print ILMEA audition parts.
Please let us know if you have any specific questions. Good luck practicing!
Mrs. Friederich & Mr. Hornig
All orchestra students have the opportunity to participate in IGSMA's Solo & Ensemble Festival. The festival will be held on Saturday, February 7th 2026 at Granger Middle School. Students will be given a 10 minute performance slot once the schedule has been finished. Students may perform a solo (minimum 28 measures) or in an ensemble (duet, trio or quartet) with their peers in front of a judge, and receive comments and earn a medal.
Students do not compete against each other but earn medals based on their best performance. Experience and grade level is taken into account when scoring students. Students are graded on their performance, musicality, and playing position. First place ratings receive a gold-colored medal with comments and second place ratings receive a silver-colored medal with comments.
Students who take private lessons should select their solo with their private teacher and are encouraged to practice their solo with their private lesson teacher. Students who do not take private lessons or who would like to perform in an ensemble will be given music from Mrs. Friederich and Mr. Hornig. Coaching sessions with Mrs. Friederich and Mr. Hornig will be available in December and January.