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Byron High School congratulates ILMEA All-State Musicians
Six Byron music students were selected to participate in the 2023 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State Festival. The Festival took place in Peoria on Jan. 25-27.
Six Byron Music Students were selected to participate in the 2023 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State Festival. The Festival took place on Jan. 25-Jan 27, in Peoria. ILMEA sponsors District and All-State competitions for the State of Illinois. Illinois is divided into nine districts. Byron is located in District 8, which includes the Western edge of the North-West Chicago suburbs, to the Mississippi River, and from the Wisconsin border down to I-88.
The process begins when students prepare an audition for the District Festival. Students in band prepare an etude and scales. Students in choir prepare 3 pieces of music and have to perform scales and triads. The students prepared a recorded audition that is sent to an adjudicator to listen and score. These auditions are scored out of 100 points. From these scores the ensemble is selected. Top scores from each section are selected for the District ensembles, approximately 2000 students audition for the District band, orchestra, and choir ensembles.
After the District Festival the student scores are then looked at again. In band and orchestra top players are chosen from each instrument. Those students prepare another audition video for their placement in the All-State or the Honors All-State Band or Orchestra. In choir the top 8 scores from each voice part are chosen to attend the All-State festival. The highest four scores are placed in the Honors All State ensemble and the next four scores are placed in the All-State ensemble. The All-State music experience is unlike any other musical experience these students will have. Top musicians from across Illinois come together and prepare a concert of challenging music in less than three days. It is an experience these kids will never forget.
This year Byron also had a student prepare a nomination for the Future Music Educators Seminar. In an effort to identify and encourage potential future music educators into the profession, ILMEA has created this forum for high school students at the annual Illinois Music Education Conference: selected students will be mentored and exposed to various aspects of the profession. This pre-professional opportunity is a strong first step toward a career as a music educator. There was a maximum of 55 students selected to participate in the Seminar.
The six Byron musicians who qualified for the All-State event this year are:
Maison Brant is a junior and a two time All State Honors Musician. He is in Chamber Choir and Symphonic Band. 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. While in high school he has participated in Golf, Basketball, and the Illinois Music Educators Honor Society. Maison’s thoughts on making All State are: “I’m very glad to make All-State Honors choir once again. It’s always a great experience to go down to state and be surrounded by people who enjoy singing as much as I do.” 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.
Ledger Groen is a sophomore who was selected to the Future Music Educators Seminar. Ledger is in Concert & Symphonic Band. His parents are Alicia Groen & William Groen. He plans to continue his music education throughout high school and pursue music education in college, eventually becoming a band or orchestra director. In high school he is active with Scholastic Bowl, Chess, WYSE Team, Math Team, Illinois Music Honor Society, and United Sound. Ledger’s thoughts on making the Future Music Educators Seminar are: “I was very excited about having the honor to go to FMES and explore what it is like to be a music teacher. I learned a lot about my future as a music teacher and what I should expect as I pursue music education.” Ledger describes his favorite moment from band, “My favorite memory from band is when we performed Polar Express with our United Sound New Musicians this past winter concert. This performance turned out great after many amazing rehearsals with our new musicians. It was a very emotional experience for both the peer mentors and the crowd that was there, being able to see our new musician’s happiness and parent’s proudness of their children.”
Alaina Haas is a senior and three-time All-State Musician. She is in the Symphonic Band. Alaina’s parents are Nate and Natalie Haas. Alaina made it into the Honors All State Band on the french horn. Her future plans are to attend college at Olivet Nazarene University to study elementary education. Alaina is involved in speech, cross country, and the Illinois Music Honor Society. Her thoughts on making All-State “I have made it to All State three years in a row, but I still get excited about getting to have the opportunity to go. Making the Honors band this year was a proud moment for me because I have worked hard for this since 6th grade and it was a great way to end out senior year.” Besides going to All State, Alaina’s favorite memory of band was going on the Florida trip last summer with her closest friends.
This was the first time the Illinois Music Educators voted to allowed freshman to try out for the All State choir ensembles. Byron’s Micah Hilliker had a high enough score on his audition that he was selected for the All State choir. Micah was selected as a Tenor 1 in the group. Micah’s parents are Kelley and Matt Hilliker. Micah is a member of the Chamber Choir. Micah’s future plans are to make All State again. He is a runner on the cross country team. He really couldn’t believe that he was selected to the All State ensemble. His favorite choir memory has been to hang out with his All State buds.
Armani Paulino is a junior who is in Chamber Choir. Her parents are Arminda and Victor Paulino. He made it into All-State Choir as a Tenor 2. His future plans are to go into the trades, construction emphasis. He is a member of the soccer team. His thoughts on making All-State: “I found the experience fun and I hope I can go again and get honored.” His favorite memory of choir has been going to the Coronado Theater and recording for the WTVO Sounds of the Holidays.
Emmalyn Rehberg is a senior and a member of the Chamber Choir. She made it into the All State Choir as a Soprano 2. Her parents are Jenn and Mat Rehberg. She plans to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she is trying out for a vocal scholarship. Other activities she has been involved in are four years of cheer, including the competitive team, and Illinois Music Educators Honor Society. She was super excited when she found out she made All State. Her favorite memory of choir was this past year’s madrigal dinner.
While the students are at the Festival, they will be in numerous rehearsals, attend workshops, panel discussion and master classes. They also will perform a final concert at the Peoria Civic Center. They will be accompanied to the festival by their teachers, Natalie Haas, band director, and Amy Harn, choir director. The students are grateful for the financial support from the Byron School District to make it possible for them to attend the All-State Festival.
