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! These ensembles will rehearse and perform in conjunction with the other 2026 All-State Student Programs and Illinois Music Education Conference!
As with any new program, we know that educators, administrators and parents will have many questions. You will find in reading these FAQs that the Junior High All-State experience very closely mirrors the policies and programs at the Senior Level. Some questions will be best answered at the school/district level as how these arrangements are handled will vary from school to school. It may also be helpful, when advocating and explaining this program to administrators, to compare this to a state-level tournament for school athletics.
** Important **
The Junior High All=State Programs (Band, Chorus, Orchestra) will take place on Thursday, January 29 and Friday, January 30. The Elementary All-State Chorus will take place on Saturday, January 31.
If you have additional questions, leave them in the comments so we can make sure the FAQ is as complete and helpful as possible!