2026 Illinois Music Association
State Olympic Contest
May 30 – 31, 2026 at *Wheaton College
Registration begins January 12
Registration deadline is March 16
*This is not a function of Wheaton College
Illinois
Music Association
State Olympic Competition
"pursue your passion"
2026 Illinois Music Association
Deadline to Register
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Hours
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New Video Competition Opportunities!
Inspired By Passion
“Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don't let anyone limit your dreams...”
Donovan Bailey
Donovan Bailey
Competitions for all levels
As your abilities increase in performance, so too do our competitive levels. We arrange our competitions to fit students according to age and level. For opportunities to compete in a non-traditional class setting, please contact us at: imacontestinfo@gmail.com
BEGINNING
Our competition is open to students of all ages, from beginners to the most advanced. Our pre-selected variety of music, from classical to jazz, will give the performer many options that are both inspiring and fun!
INTERMEDIATE
As your skills progress you can perform advanced music. The IMA has thoughtfully put together a wide range of music selected by top instructors and pedagogues to insure your progress is aligned with our levels.
ADVANCED
When you have reached this level you have much to be proud of! At our senior open and virtuoso levels, students have options to pick from our hand selected material or they can submit music of their choosing.
The Illinois Music Association Scholarship Foundation
The “Illinois Music Association Scholarship Foundation” awards scholarships to college-level music students. Scholarship auditions are conducted in mid summer, and are awarded once a year to one or more students. This Scholarship Foundation is not to be confused with the State Olympic Contest, nor the Sam and Rose Licata Memorial Contest. It is a separate and independent activity under control of the Scholarship Foundation of the Illinois Music Association.
Sam and Rose Licata Memorial Contest
The “Sam and Rosa Licata Memorial Contest” in memory of two IMA contest organizers, who through their love of music and generous efforts, helped make the IMA Olympic Contest one of the state’s largest contests. This is a separate contest from the State Olympic Contest, with separate procedures, rules, and prizes. It is held at the same location and on the final day of the Annual State Olympic Contest. This contest is open to all resident senior and virtuoso IMA member students in any of the contest categories.
“Music is the language of the spirit.
It opens the secret of life, bringing peace, abolishing strife.”
It opens the secret of life, bringing peace, abolishing strife.”
Kahlil Gibran
Writer, Poet, Artist, Philosopher
Relaxed & Friendly
String masterclasses
Students are given opportunities to receive feedback on performing, technique, expression, and other aspects of string playing. Instructors are highly qualified in their fields of study.
Join our mailing list for the schedule and registration of future master classes
From classical to Jazz and everything in between
Our required lists for piano and strings offer a variety of styles
Instrumental Genres
Classical
From our Cadet level to our Virtuoso level, classical music provides a solid foundation built from hundreds of years of great music. The IMA focuses on the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods.
Contemporary
The 20th century has seen an incredible amount of music by some of the greatest pedagogues of composition. Explore newer styles in our vast selection. Each year we continue to review our lists and add fresh material.
Jazz, Ragtime & Blues
Jazz is easily recognized as one of America’s greatest achievements in musical composition and performance. From Blues to Swing, from Bebop to Ragtime, the IMA invites you to perform with a swinging beat!
Vocal Categories
No required list
Pop
In our vocal category, performers can select from the vast collection of Pop music available for today’s times. The IMA just might be the start to a great career as a Pop Performer. Sing your heart out and take the top prize!
Broadway
A vocal competition would not be complete without the Broadway standards of the golden age as well as the great wealth of music coming off Broadway today. Choose from modern or classics, we love them all.
art song
For hundreds of years, opera singers have been trained at the highest level to sing on some of the greatest stages in the world. From memorable arias to folk songs to art music, the IMA looks forward to your well crafted performance.