Calling all elementary music educators - nominations for the 2027 All-State 4th & 5th Grade Chorus and 6th Grade Chorus open September 1!

The ILMEA Bridge Mentorship Program pairs early-career music educators with experienced mentors for support, networking, and leadership growth. Monthly webinars, an IMEC breakfast, and up to 20 PD hours - all free for mentees who are current ILMEA members. Register today and we'll help build a solid foundation for your career in music education.

This year, ILMEA established a partnership with Mercury LLC, a bipartisan public strategy and government relations firm. In working with their Springfield office, ILMEA was able to be an active and informed participant in the legislative work of the 104th general assembly. Read about the advocacy work done over the past year and plans for next steps!

For students who are looking to begin preparing for Fall 2026 auditions, all required audition elements are now posted for Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz are now posted!

The ILMEA JSGM Division is pleased to announce that Registration is open for the Singer-Songwriter/Modern Band Festival on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - this festival is open to students from any ILMEA district. We are very excited to be partnering with the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Historic Route 66 in Downtown Joliet.

Announcing the 2026-2027 ILMEA Remix Contest - “Let It All Go” by Ray Sanders!

“Let It All Go” was an award winner in the 2025-2026 Composition Contest, Rap/Hip Hop Category, and was selected to be the source material for next year’s Remix contest.

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.