The Illinois Music Education Association believes the diversity of our students and educators strengthens our organization, and people engage best when they know they are valued. We strive to honor this diversity in our conductors, clinicians, and repertoire, so every Illinois student and teacher can see themselves reflected in ILMEA.

The ILMEA Board of Directors, at their Summer 2020 Business Meeting, recommitted to the ongoing work of creating learning environments and opportunities for their members, and the students they serve, that celebrates inclusion and diversity.

Two specific actions were taken in July:

The Board agreed to reimagine the process in which educators are nominated and invited to serve as a guest-conductor for the association. The Conductor Selection Committee recommended a series of procedures that are designed to diversify the guest conducting panel that works with students at the ILMEA District and State music events.
With the goal of creating diverse musical programs, with composers representing a variety of races, cultures, ages, gender expressions and sexual orientations, the Board agreed to implement processes to review repertoire selection, before it is finalized by a guest conductor, thus taking steps toward representative programs.

If you have any questions or comments, please be encouraged to reach out to stateoffice@ilmea.org