UHS Musicians Qualify for All State

A total ten members of Urbana band, choir and orchestra will be participating in the 62nd Illinois Music Educator’s Association (IMEA) All State Festival entitled “Music: A Sound Investment”. The students will be staying in Peoria from January 27 to January 30 for rehearsals leading up to the Grand Finale Concert that Saturday afternoon.

To participate in the All State Conference a student has to audition for an IMEA district ensemble, chorus, orchestra, concert or jazz band, and be accepted. There are nine districts in the state; Urbana is in District 3. After the district festival students who were seated highly in chair placement in the various ensembles are invited to the All State Conference to play with selected students from each district from all over the state. It’s competitive to say the least.

The first day students will have seating auditions and then in the evening they will rehearse for four hours. The next day students rehearse for a total eight hours, and on the last day students will have a final hour long rehearsal before performing the Grand Finale Concert at the Peoria Civic Center. “It’s exciting to be able to perform with students who work just as hard as you do, it’s really rewarding,” says Junior and first time All-State qualifier Arianna Valocchi.

Urbana Musicians Who Qualified for All-State:

Emmah King- Band- Flute
Annie Valocchi- Band- Basoon
Kameron LeShoure- Orchestra- Clarinet
Amy Shea – Orchestra- Oboe

Anika Ford – All-State Chorus – Alto II
Lacey Palmer – All-State Chorus – Alto I
Sean Smith – Honors Chorus – Bass I
Konnor Williford – All-State Chorus – Soprano II

Glynn Davis – Orchestra – Violin II
Jennifer Hill – Orchestra – Violin I