Ellie Hughes, a 7th grader at Lincoln Middle School, has been selected as one of the 150 singers for the All-State Junior Chorus, a distinction that recognizes the best student musicians in Illinois.
Out of thousands of Junior Choir District singers across the state, Ellie was chosen for this prestigious program, which is part of the Illinois Music Education Association’s (ILMEA) 2026 All-State Student Programs. She will perform with the All-State Junior Chorus at the Peoria Civic Center on Friday, January 30, at 6:00 pm in the Carver Arena. This concert features performing ensembles led by distinguished conductors and educators from across the country.
Ellie's selection follows an impressive debut year for Lincoln Middle School's choir program. This past fall, under the direction of Alyssa LaTragna, it was the first time Lincoln choir students auditioned and participated in the ILMEA District Festival. Eight distinguished singers from Lincoln performed with the ILMEA District 7 Chorus on November 1, 2025.
During this past fall, 23,000 students from elementary, junior high, and high schools around Illinois participated in a virtual audition process. More than 7,000 students were selected to participate in district festivals celebrating student musicians in bands, orchestras, choruses, and jazz ensembles. Students in grades 7-12 who participated in the ILMEA District Festivals are also eligible to be selected into ILMEA’s Junior and Senior All-State Student Programs. This year, 2,000 students were selected to participate in the All-State Student Programs in Peoria, Illinois, from January 28-January 31, 2026.
The All-State Student Programs run concurrently with the Illinois Music Education Conference, the premier professional development opportunity for music educators in Illinois. This event brings over 12,000 students, educators, parents, and music education industry vendors to the Peoria Civic Center to celebrate and promote music education in Illinois.
For more information on the Illinois Music Education Association and opportunities for student musicians and music educators, please visit www.ilmea.org.
