Seven North student musicians participated in the annual Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) All-State Student Programs for Band, Chorus, Jazz and Orchestra on Jan. 26-29, 2022, in Peoria. 

North assistant choir teacher Samantha Barra  feels the students selected earned the honor.

“This is such a great accomplishment, and the students who are going are very deserving,” Barra said. 

 Senior clarinet player Sara Przybylski  enjoyed the fellowship of  students who appreciate playing music.

“It was amazing to be surrounded by so many talented people that were just as passionate about making music,” Przybylski said.

Junior Joey Bonasera, who sang Bass 1 at the event, had fun with the other North attendants during their stay at Fairfield inn for the three nights they were there.

“Everyone had a wonderful time,” Bonasera said.  “We got together and we’d  be laughing and talking about our rehearsals.” 

Students also had the opportunity to take part in the Future Music Educator Symposium.   Ian Curless,senior, was impressed by  the people at the event who shared their experience with being a music educator.

“It was awesome getting to see how the people who are in the field I want to go into learned how to be a music educator,” Curless said.

Mary Hernandez, senior, appreciated the inclusivity of the event, as the event coordinators covered underrepresented  minorities.

“There were clinics like ‘Transgender Youth in Music Education’, ‘Confronting Ableism in Music Education’, and a ‘BIPOC Music Educator’s Panel’ which addressed how music is taught and the need for changes,” Hernandez said.