North’s concert choir performed at the Illinois Music Educators Conference on Jan. 27 in Peoria.

IMEC is a concert in which invited high school groups and select students present themselves and their music to other educators. Although students from North have been individually selected in years past, this is the first time a North in-school choir was selected. 

“Being selected to IMEC is amazing,” senior Ben Grobstein said. “There are so many people that take part in it, and the music we create is shown to educators across the state.

Each group performance selects songs based on a theme.  Larios chose “I Want”, which included pieces such as “Trilo” by Ale Möller, “Refugee” by Moira Smiley and “Pure Imagination” by Ben Bram and Tehillah Alphonso.

“‘I Want’ explores themes of longing, taking risks, forgiveness, triumph, and mutual aid,”  choir director Cristian Larios said. “[It] seeks clarity and purpose. By articulating our wants and dreams, we can continue to rise to meet them.”

The performance in Peoria made a lasting experience for the members of the choir.

“The conference was a way for us to meet other students and educators to share the same passion. It’s been great to connect through music.”

While the experience was fun for the group, Larios still emphasized the importance of representing North at such a prestigious event.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to display North choirs and tell people a story of who we are,” Larios said.

The choir hosted a half-hour rehearsal concert on Jan. 21 for families and the North community. The performance  displayed the group’s range of genres throughout the setlist. 

“I think the concert went really well,” Grobstein said. “It showed us a choir that we need to refine and perfect before the IMEC performance.”

The choir has been performing the pieces since day one.

“We’ve been working on this music daily in class all year,” Larios said. “It’s been consuming our lives, but in a fun and exciting way.”