The Ottawa Township High School Wind Ensemble will perform at the Illinois Music Education Conference on Jan. 30 at the Peoria Civic Center.

The performance will take place between 8:15 and 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at the Peoria Civic Center theater.

The OTHS Wind Ensemble, comprising top musicians from the overall OTHS band program, is one of four high school bands selected to perform at this year’s three-day conference presented by the Illinois Music Education Association.

“It’s a huge honor for the band program that only comes with sustained quality,” OTHS band director Andrew Jacobi said. “This performance is a chance to show the larger Illinois music community what we’re doing,”

“Our district is very fortunate to have talented and dedicated music students representing our high school at this prestigious event,” OTHS Superintendent Michael Cushing said. “We are also fortunate to have highly skilled faculty and staff members leading our music programs at both the high school and affiliated elementary and middle schools.”

In March, Illinois band directors submit ensembles for consideration to perform at the IMEC. The application requires two recordings, two letters of recommendation from current ILMEA members and programs from three or four recent concerts. An ILMEA review committee evaluates the recordings in May, with selections following soon after.

“I’ve applied several times in the past and received that rejection letter each time,” Jacobi said. “Last May, I think I was halfway through reading the email before realizing it was the acceptance letter!”

Jacobi said this year’s selection is recognition of the hard work by past and present students to rebuild the music program after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In some ways, we are still rebuilding, but the commitment of the students has been outstanding throughout this rebuild,” Jacobi said. “I never imagined that we’d reach this point this quickly.”

He said reaching this honor is a testament to the support of the entire Ottawa community, giving specific credit to the parents of music students and his OTHS colleague, choir director Ali Stachowicz.

“Her constant support and excitement for music helped fuel the growth of our program,” he said.

The OTHS Wind Ensemble will perform during the second day of the conference.

To prepare, the ensemble will host a free concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, in the OTHS auditorium.

For more information, visit the ILMEA website.