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.
Meals & Dining in Peoria During IMEC
Research Posters & Presentations at IMEC 2026
There will be two outstanding opportunities for you to learn about current music education research at the 2026 Illinois Music Education Conference. On Friday, January 30 from 12:00pm-1:00pm, stop by the Exhibit Hall for the 2026 IMEC Poster Session. Take a look at the preview of the research that will be shared and then plan to stop by and speak with the researchers to learn more.
Civic Center Facility Security Update for IMEC
Get the IMEC 2026 Conference App!
What Are We Reading?
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!
2026 All-State Student & Director Info
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.
2025-2026 Composition Contest Honorees
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.
FAQ For Junior High All-State Band, Chorus and Orchestra
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.
Updates to All-State Student Schedules for 2026
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!
2025 District Festival Shirts + Merch
ILMEA Orff Instrumentarium Loan Application
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?
2026 Large Group Festival Registration NOW OPEN!
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!
Launching the ILMEA Member Forum
Apply to Join the ILMEA Presenters Bureau!
Advocacy Alert: Tell Your Rep to Vote "NO" on HB1358!
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.
Fine Arts Indicator Advocacy Alert: Phase 2 - Fine Arts Administrators
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.
IMEC 2025 Photo Gallery
Music Education Advocacy: Program Insert Download
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.
