Ottawa Township High School musicians preparing for ILMEA District festivals

Hard work and dedication from musicians at Ottawa Township High School will soon be realized on a state-wide platform.Sixteen band and 10 choir students from Ottawa have been selected to participate in the 2026 Illinois Music Education Association District 2 Band, Chorus, and Jazz festivals, according to a news release from the school.“It’s a big deal to be chosen, but it’s also a really meaningful performance opportunity for the students that invest a lot into choir and band,” OTHS Choir Director Ali Stachowicz said. “Suddenly they’re going from singing in a choir of 20 to a choir of 200, and all of the people they’re singing with are leaders in their own programs.”According to the release, weeks of individual preparation culminate in a day-long festival of rehearsals with a guest conductor, followed by a concert. “I always leave the ILMEA District Festival feeling incredibly inspired by the music that is made that day, and super proud of how many students who are leaders, and who car