Sixteen Park Ridge-Niles District 64 middle school students earned spots in the 2026 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) District 7 Festival honors ensembles, the district announced Oct. 19.
The students competed through a selective audition process against more than 1,000 band, choir and orchestra students from over 50 junior high schools across the North Suburban region. ILMEA's District 7 is the largest and one of the most competitive districts in the state, according to the district.
"Being selected for an ILMEA ensemble is an extraordinary accomplishment, particularly given the highly competitive audition process," said Erica Faulhaber, instrumental music curriculum specialist for District 64.
Faulhaber said the festival gives students the chance to perform alongside musicians from across the region and learn from guest conductors.
Twelve of the 16 students were selected for the choir ensemble: Tommy Balducci, Frankie Berger, Rachel Born, Conner Erickson, Eliza Hinton, Ellie Hughes, Alexandra Marquez, Olivia Moise, Kaitlin O'Connor, Evelyn Ortiz, Simon Reuhs and Allison Silva.
Two students earned spots in band: David Bekiares and Gabriela Firtulescu. Two more were selected for orchestra: Emma Packer and Neave Schroer.
Choir was the big story. Alyssa LaTragna, choir director at Lincoln Middle School, said the students showed tremendous dedication and commitment to their musical growth.
The selections come in a strong year for District 64 music programs. Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins praised the district's music staff in an April announcement when District 64 earned the Best Communities for Music Education award for the fourth straight year. "Congratulations to our music teams on this incredible four-peat!" Collins said at the time.
Lincoln Middle School's Symphonic Band also earned a Division I rating, the highest possible, at the Northern Illinois Music Conference Festival in March, according to the district.
Eleven District 64 music teachers prepared the selected students: Elisabeth Ballinger, Natalie Briggs, Terry Broeker, Erica Faulhaber, Anne Fong, Max Hellermann, Ilona Hutter, Alyssa LaTragna, Sean Rybak, Ethan Soltys and Alex Teater.
The ILMEA District 7 Junior Concert Festival takes place Nov. 14 at Evanston Township High School. Students selected for the district-level ensemble are also eligible for the related ILMEA All-State ensemble, according to ILMEA, provided they attend the district festival in full.
