Four U-High students have qualified to perform at the Illinois All-State Music Ensemble: Alice Fan, orchestra; Max Mathias, honors chorus; Maurice Neuman, orchestra; and Lena Valenti, chorus.

The ensembles include about 900 high school student performers in band, chorus and orchestra, and the performance will be Jan. 28 at the Illinois Music Educators Conference in Peoria. 

To qualify, high school students from across the state had to submit audition videos in October. 

“Students are able to perform with other high school top-level musicians from across the state and work with conductors in an intensive music experience,” Katy Sinclair, a Lab choir teacher, said. 

High school students get an opportunity to interact with other students who are interested in music and are also very skilled at it. 

“I am excited to go, and it’s going to be fun,” said Maurice Neuman, a cellist for orchestra who has played for 14 years.