The exciting addition of Junior High All-State in Peoria this January brings about some schedule changes for our All-State student programs at all levels.
Please take some time to review the ensemble schedules - we know that until All-State results are released in early December, you won’t be able to make concrete plans for your time in Peoria, but we need to bring your attention to these changes sooner rather than later!
ILMEA is excited for the inaugural Junior High All-State Band and Orchestra in January 2026 and the return of the Junior High All-State Chorus! As with any new program, we know that educators, administrators and parents will have many questions. This FAQ will help to address these questions so that everyone is as prepared as possible for this outstanding experience.
ILMEA has leadership and service opportunities for junior high, high school music students, and collegiate pre-service music educators - learn more about the ILMHS and ILCMEA!
The ILMEA Board of Directors, at their Summer 2020 Business Meeting, recommitted to the ongoing work of creating learning environments and opportunities for their members, and the students they serve, that celebrates inclusion and diversity. Click through to read more!
Earlier this year, we asked ILMEA Board Members to share a book that they have read that has informed or transformed their teaching and approach to music education. Their recommendations were for books specifically about music education and technique, but also include suggestions for reading on arts, creativity, leadership, and the broader field of education.
We hope these recommendations will bring you inspiration and encouragement in your own teaching and learning!
Congratulations to all of the students who were selected for the 2026 All-State Junior and Senior-level programs!
Directors, please visit our All-State Student & Director Info page - this will be your landing page for all checklists, info sheets, forms, and planning during your time in Peoria next January.
With yet another record-breaking year of entries, we are excited to announce the 2025-2026 ILMEA Composition Contest honorees ! Congratulations to all students who submitted original compositions, arrangements and remixes - the adjudicators each year comment on the outstanding quality of musical works being written by Illinois music students.
The exciting addition of Junior High All-State in Peoria this January brings about some schedule changes for our All-State student programs at all levels.
Please take some time to review the ensemble schedules - we know that until All-State results are released in early December, you won’t be able to make concrete plans for your time in Peoria, but we need to bring your attention to these changes sooner rather than later!
Are you looking to incorporate more Orff into your music classes? Are you excited to begin but need the instruments? Now is the time to apply for the EGM Instrument loan program from ILMEA! With this program, you can apply to use the 13 piece ILMEA Orff Instrumentarium to be housed and used at your school for the second half of this school year. What better way can there be to enrich your students’ music education and demonstrate to your administrator how important these instruments can be to your program?
Join us for the 2026 ILMEA Large Group Festival series! We invite all participating middle and high school band, orchestra, instrumental jazz and chorus programs to join us in this unique event designed to bring our musical community together for world-class performance venues, invaluable feedback from renowned adjudicators, inspiring performances, and the opportunity to support fellow educators and students from around the state!
ILMEA is excited for the inaugural Junior High All-State Band and Orchestra in January 2026 and the return of the Junior High All-State Chorus! As with any new program, we know that educators, administrators and parents will have many questions. This FAQ will help to address these questions so that everyone is as prepared as possible for this outstanding experience.
ILMEA is issuing an urgent call to action regarding HB1358 + Amendment 2, which severely restricts a school board's ability to request and renew physical education (PE) waivers. The House Education Committee voted the bill through to the house floor, despite the more than 2220 witness slips filed in opposition, as compared to the 395 witness slips in favor. The bill is now expected on the House floor. ILMEA urges you to take immediate action by contacting your legislators to vote “No” on this bill.
The Illinois State Board of Education is exploring changes to the Illinois School Report card, and the proposed accountability system does not have a clear plan for including the Fine Arts as an indicator for School Quality/Student Success (SQSS). We need Music Education Advocates to voice their support for how fine arts can be an impactful piece of reporting school quality and student success.
If you are looking to harness the power of your music department’s parents, friends and families, this concert program insert can give them great ideas to get started! It is available as both an image file or PDF so whether it is a digital or print program, you can get the word out to your community during your next performance.
Spring Festivals are coming soon! These are fantastic musical experiences for student musicians that might not be part of the fall auditions and festivals, so the spring festivals are a great time to focus on the music-making that happens at your school outside of the traditional ensembles. These festivals are also open to participants from other districts!
Spring is the perfect time for Elementary students to get their first experience with ILMEA festivals! More districts every year are adding elementary band, chorus and orchestra events to the already thriving Elementary General Music festivals. Read more about these great opportunities for our young musicians to be a part of these ensembles with students from around their ILMEA District.
Information for those interested in purchasing commemorative merchandise (including plaques and apparel) or physical audio or video recordings of the concerts!
Please note: Students in the All-State performing ensembles will receive a complimentary digital recording of their concert in the coming weeks.
If you want to see where some of the biggest and most varied growth has been happening within ILMEA over the past few years, you’d need to take a look at the Junior/Senior General Music (JSGM) division! With new festivals, album streaming releases and an expanded Composition Contest there’s lots to catch up on to see how you and your students can get involved!
