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 the IMEA All-District IX Festivals. Students receiving very high scores at the District level are invited to the IMEA All-State Convention held in Peoria, Illinois in January 2008.

The following students will represent Neuqua Valley at the Illinois Music Educator's Association (IMEA) All-State Convention January 30-February 2, 2008:

Orchestra
Luke Sliva                               Violin
Adam Wagner                         Violin
Christine Chen                         Violin
Joy Hua                                   Violin
Garrison Kaan                         Violin
James Franco                          Viola
Nathanial Keane                      Viola
Michael Resetar                       Viola
Maz Brister                              Bass
Bobby Sleeper                         Bass
Peter Huang                             Harp

Band
Chris Plaskota                         Euphonium
Bonnie May                            Tuba
Erik Horne                              Trumpet

Jazz Band
Alistair Duncan                       Trombone
Ashley Knorr                          Vibraphone
Evan Staley                             String Bass

Chorus
Grace Heimerl                         Soprano
Allison Shepherd                    Soprano
Rachel Carreras                       Soprano
Alyssa Tongco                        Alto
Ryan Korell                             Bass
Thomas Parry                         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, February 2, 2008 at the Peoria Civic Center:

Band Division	All-State: Quincy C. Hilliard (University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA) Honors: Ray E. Cramer (Professor Emeritus, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN)
Chorus Division	All-State: Mary Hopper (Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL) Honors: Z. Randall Stroope (Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ)
Orchestra Division	All-State: Michael Mishra (Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL) Honors: Mark Russell Smith (Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Richmond, VA)
Jazz Division	All-State Jazz Band: Tom Birkner (Belleville Twnshp. West High School, Belleville, IL) Honors Jazz Band: Ellen Rowe (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI) Honors Jazz Combo: Mark Colby (DePaul University, Chicago, IL) Vocal Jazz Ensemble: Darmon Meader (New York Voices, New York, NY)