Fifteen QHS students to participate as Illinois All-State musicians at Illinois Music Educators Association Convention

QUINCY — More than 10,000 students from elementary, junior high and high schools around Illinois participated in a virtual audition process in 2022. Of those auditions, 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 10-12 who participated in the Illinois Music Educators Association Convention district festivals also are eligible to be selected into ILMEA’s All-State student programs. Students were selected to participate in the Illinois Music Education Association’s All-State Student Program in Peoria from Jan. 25-28.

In addition to the performing ensembles, this group also includes students who applied for and were accepted into the Future Music Educators Seminar for those students interested in pursuing careers as professional music educators and students who entered the ILMEA Composition Contest and were selected to participate in the composition track. This is a unique and exciting track of events designed for exceptional students working in areas of traditional composition, remix, singer/songwriter and other areas of music writing and production.

Quincy High School had 15 students participating as Illinois All-State musicians at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Convention. Those students are:

• Zoe Agrimonti, All-State Orchestra Viola, is a senior and a daughter of Tony and Karen Agrimonti. She is a member of the QHS Concert Orchestra and QHS Wired. Zoe plays the cello, guitar and violin. She is a member of QHS Beta Club and National Honor Society. This is Zoe’s third year as an All-State Musician.
• Garrett Embree, Honors Orchestra Tuba, is a senior and a son of Kent and Denise Embree. He is a member of QHS Marching Blue Devils, QHS Concert Band, QHS Concert Orchestra, QHS Jazz Band I, International Thespian Society and Society for Academic Achievement. This is Garrett’s second year as an All-State Musician.
• Joey Engelmeyer, Honors Chorus Bass I, is a junior and a son of Jenny Engelmeyer and John Engelmeyer. He isa member of QHS Concert Band, QHS Marching Band, QHS Concert Choir, QHS Madrigal Singers, Electric Blue Show Choir and QHS Jazz I Band. Joey also is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Society of Academic Achievement.
• Katie Gorder, Honors Chorus Tenor I, is a junior and the daughter of Dustin and Katena Gorder. She is a member of QHS Concert Orchestra, QHS Concert Choir, Electric Blue Show Choir and QHS Madrigal Choir.
• Isabella Green, Honors Chorus Soprano I, is a senior and the daughter of Rev. Jeff and Rachel Green. She is a member of QHS Concert Choir, QHS Madrigal, Electric Blue Show Choir. She also is a percussionist for the QHS Marching Band Drumline, Concert Band, QHS Concert Orchestra and QHS Jazz I. Isabella is the Student Council Senior Class President and a member National Honor Society. This is Isabella’s second year as an All-State Musician.
• Riley Holthaus, Honors Chorus Alto II, is a junior and the daughter of Nathan and Mindy Holthaus. She is a member of QHS Concert Band, QHS Marching Band, QHS Concert Choir, QHS Madrigal and Electric Blue Show Choir. Riley is also a member National Honor Society.
• Clara Louthan, All-State Chorus Soprano I, is a senior and the daughter of Jimmie and Julie Louthan. She is a member of the QHS Concert Choir, QHS Madrigal Singers, and Electric Blue Show Choir. Clara is also the Theater Guild vice president. This is Clara’s second year as an All-State Musician.
• Devon Miller, All-State Orchestra Viola, is a junior, and the daughter of Sean and Leah Miller. She is a member of QHS Concert Orchestra.
• Kiley Shoot, All-State Chorus Alto I, is a junior and the daughter Todd and Jill Shoot. She is a member of the QHS Concert Choir and Electric Blue Show Choir. She also is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and a member of the Q-City Pommers.
• Benjamin Siemer, Honors Orchestra Percussion, is a junior and the son of Tim and Teresa Siemer. He is a member of QHS Concert Band, QHS Jazz Band, QHS Show Band and a member of the National Honor Society.
• Elaina Smith, All-State Band Bassoon, is a junior, and the daughter of Clare Smith and the late Matt Smith. She is a member of the QHS Concert Band and QHS Concert Orchestra. Elaina also is a member of QHS Beta Club, National Honor Society and QHS Scholastic Bowl. This is Elaina’s second year as an All-State Musician.
• Preston Trinh, All-State Orchestra Violin, is a junior and the son of Linh Nguyen and Anthony Trinh. He is a member of the QHS Concert Orchestra. He also is a member of the QHS Tennis Team, National Honor Society and the QHS Beta Club. The is Preston’s second year as an All-State Musician.
• Will Venvertloh, Honors Jazz Band Drum Set, is a senior and the son of Craig and Janet Venvertloh. He is a member of the QHS Concert Band and QHS Marching Band. Will also is a member of the QHS Swimming Team, QHS Track Team, Beta Club and National Honor Society.
• Robert Wealer, All-State Band Percussion, is a sophomore and the son of Matt Wealer and Camilla Ferrel. He is a member of the QHS Concert Band, QHS Drumline, and QHS Jazz I. Robert has been selected for High School all-district band for two years and received Division I ratings at IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest.
• Olivia Williams, All-State Chorus Soprano I, is a junior and the daughter of Shawn and Laura Williams. She is a member of the QHS Concert Band, QHS Concert Orchestra, QHS Concert Choir, Electric Blue Show Choir and QHS Madrigal. Olivia is also a member of the Beta Club.

Students in the performing ensembles represent the best student musicians in Illinois and come together to present a series of All-State Concerts. The Jazz Night Concert on Friday, Jan. 27 will feature vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles, followed by the All-State Elementary Chorus Concert, the All-State Concert and the Honors Concerts on Saturday, Jan. 28. Each of these ensembles will be led by distinguished conductors and educators from across the country.

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 more than 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, visit www.ilmea.org.