Extra Opportunities 

Honor Bands

The ILMEA District Honor Band is open to all junior high band students in sixth through eighth grades. Students learn scales and an etude which are then recorded for a video submission. Selected students attend the District V Festival held at Eastern Illinois University.

Audition fees for this event are sponsored by Band Aids.

Auditions: October
Festival: November

The AIJB is a state-wide audition-based ensemble open to seventh and eighth-grade students. If selected, students will participate in a multiday honor band experience (Friday-Saturday) and perform in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois.

Auditions: November
Festival: January

ILMEA 5/6 Honor Band

The Fifth and Sixth-Grade Honor Band is a nomination-based ensemble that is part of the District V Elementary General Music Festival in March. Students in JV Band will be nominated based on playing ability, musicianship, and the student's overall attitude and behavior during daily classes. 

All participation costs for this event are sponsored by Band Aids.

Solo & Ensemble Contest

The IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest provides an opportunity for students to expand their playing abilities and musicianship by performing individually or in small groups. Students who participate tend to become stronger leaders in the ensemble setting and excel in all aspects of band. All students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and entry fees are sponsored by Band Aids.

Practicing begins in December when students select music. After-school lessons start in January and continue until the performance in March.

Additional  Opportunities

These events are non-audition-based local events that are open to all FHJHS band students.