Ottawa selects their ILMEA participants for 2024. Audition results come out following Thanksgiving break. “It was fun because I know I worked hard to make it,” senior Kara Powerman said.
To be selected as a participant in ILMEA, students must be nominated through their school music program and must participate in the school ensemble. Ottawa offers Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, Marching Pirates Pep Band, Concert Choir, Treble Choir and Crimson Choir. All these groups are considered for ILMEA.“Those who make the auditions meet for a single day to rehearse and then perform, which is difficult but rewarding. I’ve made many friends at Jazz and Orchestra festivals,” senior Jack Stanek said.
If selected for Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Vocal Jazz or Instrumental Jazz, participants attend the district 2 Festival in November. Depending on the discipline’s requirements for All-State, students may be asked to re-audition, or the previous score could be applied to qualify for All-State, which takes place over a weekend in January. If selected for the Composition Contest, Remix Contest or Future Music Educators Seminar, students will attend the All-State in January. “ILMEA is so special to me. It’s a chance for myself and my like-minded peers to appreciate and make beautiful music,” senior Evvie Jeppson said.
There are two separate weekends for band and choir. ILMEA commenced on Nov. 2 at Augustana College. The choir took place the following weekend, Nov. 9, as the band took place Nov. 16 in Peoria.
Seniors Jack Stanek, Molly Ewen, Evvie Jeppson, Katelyn Gray, Sadie Johnson, Conner Brady, Lindsey Fabris, Mia Misener, Kara Power, RJ School and Ava Wagner. Juniors Tyler Frazer, Robert Murphy, Noah Logan, Cameron Dunke, Zulee Moreland, Bethany Polega and Charlie Thiry. Sophomores Marylou McCain, Arden Cechowicz, Shelby Domoleczny, Chloe Carmona, Logan Olson, Hallee Loza and Zadie Ortiz. Freshman Maggie Wiegman and Amy Budnick are the 2024 participants.
