ILMEA
The Illinois Music Education Association offers many opportunities for students in Band, Jazz Band, Choir, and General Music Classes. Every year, students have the opportunity to audition for District Honor Band, Jazz Band and Choir. Students who score well enough may be chosen to participate in All-State Band, Jazz Band and Choir. Students can also send in an interview to participate in FMES - Future Music Educators Seminar - at ILMEA All-State. This is a great opportunity for students who are thinking about going into music education as a career. ILMEA also hosts a Large Group Festival in the Spring. Our Concert Band attends this festival each year. More information about ILMEA offerings can be found below.
In an effort to identify and encourage potential future music educators into the profession, ILMEA has created a forum for high school students at the annual Illinois Music Education Conference: The ILMEA All-State Future Music Educators Seminar. These selected students will be mentored and exposed to various aspects of the profession. This pre-professional opportunity is a strong first step toward a career as a music educator.
The Large Ensemble Festival a non-competitive adjudicated event featuring performance opportunities in high-quality venues and also feedback (audio and written) as well as clinic experiences with well-respected/well-known music educators and practitioners.
ILMEA Performance
The FHS Concert Band auditioned during the 2022/2023 school year and was chosen to perform a concert at the 2024 Illinois Music Education Conference. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students and a great honor! Nearly 12,000 people attend this conference every year, including the best student musicians in the state and music teachers from all over Illinois. Students will travel to Peoria, IL at the end of January for this performance. More information to come. Way to go band!