The annual Illinois Music Education Association (IMEA) district conference and festival was held Nov. 11 in the Maine West Rider Gym. Over 100 junior and senior high schools participated in the event.

Mr. Robert Kuite, Music Department chairman, and music teachers, Mr. Francis Vaupel (orchestra), Mr. Paul Magnusson (band), and Mr. Donald Lord (chorus) were the local chairmen to help organize the seven concert organizations that performed.

The senior orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Fred Ockwell, performed the third movement of "Symphony in D Minor" by Cesar Frank and the fourth movement of J. Sibelius' "Symphony No. 2."

Mr. Kurt Chalgren directed the senior chorus in "Cry Out and Shout," .. I Find No Peace," Vivaldi's "Cum Sancto Spirito," "Song of Exultation" by John Ness Bach, Hayden's "Kyrie Eleison" from Imperial Mass, and "A Jubilant Song" by Norman Dello Joio.

The senior band played parts of Vincent Percichetti's "Symphony No. 6," "Fantasia in G Major," by 1,5. Bach, Goldman, and Leist, and "Symphony No. 5" by D. Shostakovich and Richter. They were directed by Mr. Fred Miller.

The 1,000 students who participated in the event, including 17 Maine West students, were given the chance to perform music that would possibly not be performed by their school organizations.