All-Illinois Junior Band

Guest conductor Paula Crider leads 80 of the top middle school instrumentalists selected from across Illinois, hosted by the School of Music and Illinois Bands. This event is free, and no tickets are required.

The All-Illinois Junior Band was founded for the express purpose of creating a premier musical experience for the state’s finest middle school band students. Membership in AIJB is determined solely through competitive blind auditions. Goals are to provide an opportunity for middle school students to perform excellent literature with a mature ensemble and distinguished conductor, to interact with similarly dedicated student musicians from around the State of Illinois, and to encourage and inspire these outstanding young musicians to continue their musical studies.