The IMEA

The IMEA (Illinois Music Educator's Association) is an organization set up to provide professional growth opportunities for Illinois music teachers and to provide music making opportunities for the most talented music students in the state. Outstanding students are selected to participate at the District level through auditions in October. Illinois has nine districts. Neuqua Valley is in District IX which includes Naperville North and Central and 30 other high schools in the Fox Valley area. Because of the strong music programs in the area, District IX competition for each District spot is fierce.

Nearly 100 Neuqua Valley Music Students performed in District IX. Students receiving very high scores at the District level are invited to the All-State Convention held in Peoria, Illinois.

Congratulations to the following students will represent Neuqua Valley at the Illinois Music Educator's Association (IMEA) All-State Convention January 24-January 27, 2007:

Ivo Bokulic                             Viola
Amanda Hua                          Violin
Adam Wagner                        Violin
David Hahn                            Cello
Dominic Hahn                         Violin
James Franco                          Viola
Peter Huang                            Harp

Josh Johnson                           Alto Sax
Jenn Shiplet                             Percussion
Amy Kohler                            French Horn
Victoria McCarthy                  Contra Bassoon
Alex Niswander                      Clarinet
Chris Brackett                         Tuba
Matt Novotny                         Percussion
Tristan Barron                         Trombone

Elizabeth Betten                      Soprano
Ryan Korell                            Bass
Tim Kadlec                             Bass
Vince Gargaro                        Tenor

Students from all nine districts meet in Peoria to participate in one of two bands, two orchestras, two choirs, two jazz ensembles, a jazz choir and a jazz combo. The students rehearse with nationally renowned conductors for two days culminating in a performance on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Peoria Civic Center:

Band Division	All-State: William Jastrow (Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville, IL) Honors: Andrew Boysen, Jr. (University of New Hampshire, Durham)
Chorus Division	All-State: Rollo Dilworth (North Park University, Chicago, IL) Honors: David Rayl (Michigan State University, East Lansing)
Orchestra Division	All-State: Nobuyoshi Yasuda (University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire) Honors: Steven Amundson (St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN)
Jazz Division	All-State Jazz Band: Ed Jacobi (Buffalo Grove High School, IL) Honors Jazz Band: Charles McNeill (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) Honors Jazz Combo: Jeffrey Campbell (Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY) Vocal Jazz Ensemble: Kerry Marsh (Sacramento State University, CA)