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All Region, Fall Session pages have been updated. HSOI Registration Form is available. 2027 Jr. and HS All State Audition Packets now available
IMEA Conference | Grand Wayne Center | Ft. Wayne, Indiana | January 14-16, 2027
2027 PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
To audition for the 2027 Indiana Junior High All-State Orchestra, students must be a current member of their school Orchestra, Band or Choir, in grade 6-8, from time of audition through the completion of the concert on Saturday, January 16th, 2027. Homeschooled students must either participate in the Orchestra, Band or Choir of the school they would attend if not homeschooled. If there is no ensemble offered in the district, they can be a member of another youth orchestra, which must be approved by the Indiana All-State Orchestra Coordinators.
Additionally, all school Orchestra Directors must be current ASTA members from the time of audition through the completion of the 2027 Indiana Junior High All-State Orchestra performance, Saturday, January 16th, 2027. Band and Choir Directors must either be current ASTA, IBA or NAfME members. Memberships will be verified by the Membership Chair of ASTA, IBA and NAfME. Online Audition Submission due by 11:59pm, Wednesday, October 7th, 2026.
APPLICATION FEE: $20
PARTICIPATION FEE: $200
2027 AUDITION EXCERPTS
Ken Tonaki, 2027 Indiana Junior All State Orchestra Conductor
Ken Tonaki, 2027 Indiana Junior All State Orchestra Conductor
Ken Tonaki began his teaching career in Fall, 1996, in the Sycamore (IL) Community School District. Ken and his wife and colleague, Amy Lestina Tonaki, collectively teach students grades 4 to 12. Amy assumes the role as the middle school orchestra director, while Ken directs the high school orchestras. At the elementary level, they teach their specialty instruments, with Amy providing cello and bass lessons and Ken providing violin and viola lessons for students in all five elementary schools.
Ken Tonaki’s high school orchestras have performed multiple times at the Illinois-Music Educators “All-State Conference,” the University of Illinois, and the Northern Illinois University Orchestra and Chamber Festivals. In 2016 & 2025, the SHS Orchestra served as a demonstration ensemble at the Midwest Clinic. Ken has served as a guest conductor/clinician for youth summer music camps at the University of Illinois and the University of Wyoming along with many district & regional honor festivals throughout Illinois, Indiana (2016 IN-ASTA All-Region Honors Orchestra) & Iowa. Ken has also presented clinics at the Illinois All-State Conference and served on a discussion panel at the Midwest Clinic in 2023.
Outside his teaching duties, Ken plays violin with the Kishwaukee Symphony Community Orchestra and performs music with his family, Amy (cellist), Evan (cellist), and Mia (violinist). He also serves as a regional Orchestra Division Representative for the Illinois Music Educator Association.
Ken Tonaki earned his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University. He is a member of the Illinois Music Educators Association, the American String Teachers Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America. He was a finalist for the DeKalb (IL) County Excellence in Education award. In 2025 both Ken & Amy were recipients of the, “Outstanding Chicagoland Music Educator Award” sponsored by the Quinlan & Fabish Music Company and the, “Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award” sponsored by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
2027 REPERTOIRE
Fire in the Forge - Ted Allen
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Movement 2 - Gustav Mahler, arranged by Sandra Dackow
Snowberry - Yukiko Nishimura
Vamos a Bailar - Dion Morales
Serenade For Strings, Finale - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, arranged by Montzka
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