Idaho Music Educators Festival debuts in Lewiston, uniting 630 students statewide

LEWISTON, ID — The Idaho Music Educators All-State Honor Ensemble Festival made its debut in Lewiston earlier this month, marking the first time the event has been held in the valley. Organized by the Idaho Music Educators Association, the festival featured six ensembles, including jazz band, jazz choir, mixed choir, treble choir, concert band, and a string orchestra. A total of 630 students from across the state were selected to perform.

“Students are selected from all high schools or junior highs across the state of Idaho through an audition process,” said Robert Wicks, president of the Idaho Music Educators Association.

Wicks expressed his excitement about bringing an event of this caliber to his hometown, though he admitted it was nerve-racking to coordinate such a large gathering of students.

“Putting this event on is providing opportunities for the students to come together to create music from across the state. We had students from 1A high schools clear up to 6A,” he said.

The festival also offered numerous professional development sessions for teachers.

“Putting on the event meant to me providing opportunities to help them grow and learn as teachers in their classrooms,” Wicks said.

The successful execution of the festival was a collaborative effort involving music faculty from the Idaho Music Educators Association, the Lewiston School District, Lewis-Clark State College, and the Chamber of Commerce. Wicks expressed his pleasure in hosting the festival in Lewiston and hopes it will return to the valley in the future.

Robert Wicks, who has been teaching in the valley for 21 years, also teaches music at Jenifer Middle School, as well as McGhee and Whitman Elementary Schools.

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