Four students from Richland County High School have been selected to participate in the 2026 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State Ensembles. The event will be held January 28–31, 2026, in Peoria.
These students were chosen through a rigorous audition process, representing the top student-musicians from over 12,000 schools across Illinois. Of approximately 2,400 students who auditioned, only a select few were invited to participate.
The three RCHS students selected for the All-State Orchestra are Lila Balding (senior), Jereme Higginbotham (junior), and Emma Gilreath (sophomore). Joshua Ochs (junior) was selected to perform in the All-State Band.
These students were chosen through a rigorous audition process, representing the top student-musicians from over 12,000 schools across Illinois. Of approximately 2,400 students who auditioned, only a select few were invited to participate.
The three RCHS students selected for the All-State Orchestra are Lila Balding (senior), Jereme Higginbotham (junior), and Emma Gilreath (sophomore). Joshua Ochs (junior) was selected to perform in the All-State Band.
Lila Balding has been selected to participate in the 2026 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State Orchestra on tenor trombone. She has been a dedicated member of the Richland County High School Band since 2022 and has played an integral role in the Marching Tigers during the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 marching seasons. During this time, Lila marched the trombone and served as the low brass section leader in 2024 and 2025.
In addition to marching band, Lila has played trombone in the premier Honors Wind ensemble and jazz band since she was a freshman in 2022. Her talent in jazz performance was recognized through her participation in the ILMEA District 5 jazz concert in 2023, 2024, and 2025. She also played first trombone in the ILMEA District 5 concert band in 2024 and the orchestra in 2025. Lila also played euphonium in the Olney Youth Symphonic Band and trombone at the OCC community band.
Beyond her ensemble work, Lila is a committed member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, Chapter 8170, where she has been the secretary for two years, starting in 2024. Additionally, in 2024 and 2025, she also participated in the RCHS musical Pit on second trombone. Lila has also competed in IHSA Solo and Ensemble contests in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She performed “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” in 2022, “Lassus Trombone” in 2023, and “A Million Dreams” in 2024, all of which earned a First Superior rating.
After she graduates in 2026, Lila plans to attend Eastern Illinois University to pursue a career in music education.
In addition to marching band, Lila has played trombone in the premier Honors Wind ensemble and jazz band since she was a freshman in 2022. Her talent in jazz performance was recognized through her participation in the ILMEA District 5 jazz concert in 2023, 2024, and 2025. She also played first trombone in the ILMEA District 5 concert band in 2024 and the orchestra in 2025. Lila also played euphonium in the Olney Youth Symphonic Band and trombone at the OCC community band.
Beyond her ensemble work, Lila is a committed member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, Chapter 8170, where she has been the secretary for two years, starting in 2024. Additionally, in 2024 and 2025, she also participated in the RCHS musical Pit on second trombone. Lila has also competed in IHSA Solo and Ensemble contests in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She performed “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” in 2022, “Lassus Trombone” in 2023, and “A Million Dreams” in 2024, all of which earned a First Superior rating.
After she graduates in 2026, Lila plans to attend Eastern Illinois University to pursue a career in music education.
Jereme Higginbotham has been selected to participate in the 2026 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State Orchestra on percussion. A junior at Richland County High School, Jereme has been an active participant in ILMEA District 5 Bands for five years, earning recognition at multiple levels.
During middle school, he performed in ILMEA Junior Band in 7th and 8th grade, ILMEA Junior Jazz Band in 7th grade, and was selected for the All-Illinois Junior Band State Ensemble in 8th grade. At the high school level, he has been a member of ILMEA Senior Orchestra as a freshman, sophomore, and junior.
Jereme is also an integral member of the RCHS Marching Tigers, performing on 3rd bass drum in 2023 and snare drum in 2024 and 2025, serving as drumline section leader in 2025. He has been a member of the Honors Wind Ensemble since 2023 and has played jazz drumset in the school’s jazz band all three years of high school.
A dedicated musician, Jereme has been a member of Tri-M Honor Music Society Chapter 8170 for three years. He earned a Superior rating in his percussion quartet at the 2024 IHSA Solo & Ensemble contest and an Excellent rating with his percussion trio in 2025. He has also contributed to the orchestral pit for RCHS musicals over the past three years.
After graduating in 2027, Jereme plans to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
During middle school, he performed in ILMEA Junior Band in 7th and 8th grade, ILMEA Junior Jazz Band in 7th grade, and was selected for the All-Illinois Junior Band State Ensemble in 8th grade. At the high school level, he has been a member of ILMEA Senior Orchestra as a freshman, sophomore, and junior.
Jereme is also an integral member of the RCHS Marching Tigers, performing on 3rd bass drum in 2023 and snare drum in 2024 and 2025, serving as drumline section leader in 2025. He has been a member of the Honors Wind Ensemble since 2023 and has played jazz drumset in the school’s jazz band all three years of high school.
A dedicated musician, Jereme has been a member of Tri-M Honor Music Society Chapter 8170 for three years. He earned a Superior rating in his percussion quartet at the 2024 IHSA Solo & Ensemble contest and an Excellent rating with his percussion trio in 2025. He has also contributed to the orchestral pit for RCHS musicals over the past three years.
After graduating in 2027, Jereme plans to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Joshua Ochs has been selected to participate in the 2026 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State Band on trumpet. A junior at Richland County High School, Joshua has been playing trumpet since fifth grade at St. Joseph Catholic School in Olney, IL. In addition to trumpet, he is proficient on French horn, mellophone, and flugelhorn.
At RCHS, Joshua is an active member of the Jazz Band, Honors Wind Chamber Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the RCHS Marching Tigers, where he served as trumpet section leader in 2026. Beyond his contributions to the band program, he participates in the Trio Upward Bound program.
Joshua aspires to pursue a career as either an engineer or a high school band director.
At RCHS, Joshua is an active member of the Jazz Band, Honors Wind Chamber Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the RCHS Marching Tigers, where he served as trumpet section leader in 2026. Beyond his contributions to the band program, he participates in the Trio Upward Bound program.
Joshua aspires to pursue a career as either an engineer or a high school band director.
Emma Gilreath has been selected to participate in the 2026 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State Orchestra on bass clarinet. A sophomore at Richland County High School, Emma is recognized as a standout clarinetist. She serves as clarinet section leader for the RCHS Marching Tigers and is also an active member of the Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band. Emma is a dedicated member of the Tri-M National Honor Society.
In 2025, she performed with the ILMEA Senior Orchestra on bass clarinet and has earned top honors at the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest, receiving a Superior rating and Best of Day recognition.
In 2025, she performed with the ILMEA Senior Orchestra on bass clarinet and has earned top honors at the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest, receiving a Superior rating and Best of Day recognition.
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