BYRON — During the fall of 2023, over 10,000 students from elementary, junior high and high schools around Illinois participated in a virtual audition process and of those auditions, more than 7,000 students were selected to participate in district festivals celebrating student musicians in bands, orchestras, choruses and jazz ensembles.
Students in grades 9-12 who participated in the ILMEA District Festivals are also eligible to be selected into ILMEA’s All-State Student Programs. This year, 1,500 students were selected to participate in the Illinois Music Education Association’s 2023 All-State Student Programs in Peoria, Illinois from Jan. 24-27, 2024. In addition to the performing ensembles, this group also includes students who applied for and were accepted into the Future Music Educators Seminar for those students interested in pursuing careers as professional music educators, and students who entered the ILMEA Composition Contest and were selected to participate in the Composition Track. This is a unique and exciting track of events designed for exceptional students who are working in the areas of traditional composition, remix, singer/songwriter and other areas of music writing and production.
Maison Brandt, senior, is Byron Choir’s first three-time All-State Honors musician. He is in Chamber Choir. Maison’s parents are Ann & Jake Brandt. Maison made the Honors All State Choir as a Bass 2. His future plans are to attend a four-year college and major in accounting and finance. While in high school he has participated in golf, basketball, band, track, and the Illinois Music Educators Honor Society. He also is a member of his church’s praise team. In 2022 Maison was selected to the All-National Choir sponsored by National Association for Music Educators. Maison’s thoughts on making all state are: “It is always amazing being accepted to all-state and I can’t believe it’s my third time. It’s something not many people at Byron have done and I’m proud of it.”
His favorite memory from choir has been the two choir trips he went on: the 2022 Tennessee Choir Trip and the 2019 St. Louis Choir Trip. His words of wisdom for future musicians “If you’re on the fence on trying band or choir, then I would say go for it. It’s truly a wonderful experience”.
Students in the performing ensembles represent the best student musicians in Illinois that will come together to present a series of All-State Concerts. On Friday, Jan. 26, the 2024 Jazz Night Concert will feature a night of music performed by the student vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles. The All-State Elementary Chorus Concert, the All-State Concert and the Honors Concerts will be presented on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Each of these ensembles will be led by distinguished conductors and educators from across the country.
The All-State Student Programs run concurrently with the Illinois Music Education Conference, the premier professional development opportunity for music educators in Illinois. This event brings over 12,000 students, educators, parents and music education industry vendors to the Peoria Civic Center to celebrate and promote music education in Illinois.
