Jennifer Roloff (oboe), Lucy Zhang (violin I), Ethan Berl (tenor I), and Daniel Borup (bass I) spent Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 in Peoria, surrounded by some of the best high school musicians in Illinois. The occasion? The annual Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference — new to one of the Uni musicians, old hat to the others, but challenging and exciting for all.

Four Uni students advanced to the IMEA All-State Conference after receiving honors at the district level. Seniors Ethan Berl, Lucy Zhang, and Jennifer Roloff, and junior Daniel Borup will attend two days of workshops and rehearsals Jan. 30 and Feb. 1 in preparation for the all-state concert on Feb. 2. Berl and Borup will sing in the honors chorus, while Roloff and Zhang will perform in the orchestra.

Practice paid off for Uni's new all-district musicians, who auditioned Monday at Bloomington High School. The district jazz festival is scheduled for Nov. 3 at Normal Community High School, followed two weeks later by the junior-senior district festival at Illinois State University. The top musicians at the high school level will go on to perform at the all-state music festival in Peoria in late January-early February.

Columbus Day isn't just a day off for 22 of Uni's student musicians. They'll be auditioning for the Illinois Music Educators Association district music festival. Last year 14 Uni students earned all-district high school honors, and three subfreshmen won junior district honors. Check inside for a preview of Monday's auditions. Next stop after district: a chance to participate in the all-state music festival in Peoria.