Mokena Junior High School eighth grade student Chloe Walker was selected to the 2026 All-State Junior High Orchestra. Chloe plays the double bass and has been a part of the Mokena orchestra program since the first year the district program was offered in 2022.
The selection process began this past fall in which 23,000 students from elementary, junior high, and high schools across the state participated in a virtual addition process. From there, 7,000 students were then selected to participate in district music festivals throughout the state. Out of the students in grades 7-12 who participated in the district festivals, 2,000 students were named to the Illinois Music Education Association’s Junior and Senior All-State Student Programs. Chloe was one of 150 7th and 8th graders from across the state who was selected for the very first Junior High All-State Orchestra.
Chloe traveled to Peoria at the end of January for the Illinois Music Educator Conference where she rehearsed with the All-State Orchestra led by distinguished conductor Joanne May for two days. The ensemble then performed a concert together at the Peoria Civic Center for musicians, music educators, and parents from across the state.
Prior to traveling downstate, Chloe had one month to learn the pieces with Mokena School District 159 Orchestra Director Vicky Nyder. Ms. Nyder attended the All-State performance and shared, “Chloe put in a lot of work during morning orchestra rehearsals and in after school practices to learn the pieces. She did a fantastic job in the final performance. I’m incredibly proud of the work that she has done and how it reflects the Mokena Orchestra. Since this is the first time for the Junior High All-State Orchestra, it is a big honor for Chloe to be selected to perform as part of it.”
