Lemont’s Luke Rupert again selected for ILMEA All-State Jazz Band

For the second straight year, Lemont High School senior Luke Rupert was selected to play in the All-State Jazz Band at the 2026 Illinois Music Education Conference, which was held last month at the Peoria Civic Center. 

Hosted by the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA), the IMEC attracts the top performers from across the state, and includes guest conductors, seminars, and a number of concert performances.

Rupert was selected to participate in the IMEC for the second time, and was one of just two alto saxophones from across the state selected for the All-State Jazz Band.

After auditions and district festivals throughout the state, more than 1,000 students were selected to participate in the ILMEA’s 2026 All-State Student Programs. Students who were part of all-state performing ensembles capped their experience by performing in concerts that were led by distinguished conductors and educators from across the country.

In 2022, Lemont set a school record with six students earning places on all-state performing ensembles. Destina Sarussi ‘24 (Flute) is Lemont’s only three-time all-state performer, having been named to the All-State Orchestra each year from 2022-24.

In addition to Rupert, Lemont’s ILMEA All-State Band performers have included: Joseph Barnett ‘04 (Percussion, 2004), Maggie Brown ‘13 (BBb Contrabass Clarinet, 2012 and 2013), Joren Cain ‘94 (Alto Saxophone, 1994), Karol Domalik ‘09 (Trumpet, 2008), Erin Dominiak ‘91 (Trombone, 1991), Vince Dory ‘13 (Bb Bass Clarinet, 2013), Alyssa Greer ‘23 (Trombone, 2023), Andrew Goudzwaard ‘03 (Trombone, 2003), Charlotte Havemann ‘99 (Flute, 1999), Lindsey Jouza ‘03 (Flute, 2002), Jessica Kelliher ‘06 (Flute, 2005), Jason Kerins ‘88 (Tuba, 1987), Nick Kettman ‘95 (Percussion, 1994), Andrew Kilinskis ‘08 (Percussion, 2008), Kara Kirkus ‘18 (Bb Clarinet, 2018), Ahnnabella Kolacki ‘17 (Bassoon, 2017), David Levine ‘95 (Tenor Saxophone, 1995), Nolan Luckett ‘11 (Trumpet, 2011), Kathleen Lyons ‘08 (Bb Clarinet, 2007), Andrew Nogal ‘02 (Oboe, 2001 and 2002), Erik Noska ‘07 (Trumpet, 2007), Jayne Pelen ‘22 (Contrabass Clarinet), Alicia Saindon ‘93 (Bb Clarinet, 1993), Toni Sarussi ‘23 (Bb Clarinet, 2022 and 2023), Brian Schmidt ‘05 (Tuba, 2004 and 2005), Jay Shah ‘95 (Tuba, 1994), Rebecca Shepro ‘15 (Bassoon, 2015), Aaron Swenson ‘18 (Piano, 2018), Matthew Swick ‘18 (Contrabass Clarinet, 2018), Lisa Wennerberg ‘01 (Bb Clarinet, 2000), Jennifer Woodrum ‘95 (Bb Clarinet, 1995) and Megan Zhou ‘20 (Tenor Saxophone, 2019).

Lemont’s ILMEA All-State Orchestra performers have included Emma Bozue ‘18 (Violin, 2017 and 2018), Katie Klich (Oboe, 2002), Shannon Lehner ‘97 (English Horn, 1997), Jacinta Mikus ‘00 (Piccolo, 2000), Candace Saindon ‘09 (Trumpet, 2009), Eric Saindon ‘08 (Trombone, 2008), Destina Sarussi ‘24 (Flute, 2022, 2023 and 2024), Julie Stanwyck ‘18 (Violin, 2018), Diana Sutton ‘98 (Bassoon, 1998), Casey Treanor ‘24 (French Horn, 2024), Alana Vegter ‘00 (French Horn, 1999 and 2000) and Nora Zhou '24 (Violin, 2022 and 2023).

Lemont’s ILMEA All-State Chorus performers have included Steve Grand ‘08 (Bass I, 2008), Nathan McFarland ‘22 (Bass I, 2022), Aidan Meyer ‘22 (Tenor II, 2022) and Abigail Roselieb ‘15 (Soprano II, 2015).

Lemont’s ILMEA All-State Composition competitors have included Angelo Babista ‘24 (Commercial – Remix and Rock Band, 2024), Brad Cardella ‘09 (Arranging, Instrumental, Jazz Instrumental/Jazz Vocal, 2009) and Nick Dory ‘13 (Arranging, 2013). 

Lemont’s Future Music Educators Seminar participants have included Alyssa Greer ‘23 (2022) and Anna Pietrus ‘07 (2007).