Ottawa Township High School Bands

08/23/2026

Today we marched in the annual Grand Ridge Parade! Beautiful day for a parade and we had a nice crowd out!

08/11/2026

Last week we had our annual band camp where we learned the drill and music for our 2026 Halftime Show. Our first performance is next week on Friday! These were our sections of the day throughout the week (not pictured are the trumpets).

05/03/2026

Congrats to band members Bethany and Robert!!!

Congratulations to our Prom King & Queen Robert Murphy and Bethany Polega!!! 👑🏴‍☠️

04/29/2026

Join us tomorrow night at 7:00 PM for our annual Spring Band Concert!!! Each group is playing some fun music and we’ll end the night recognizing our seniors!

02/14/2026

The Symphonic Band travelled to perform at the Batavia Band Festival today. In addition to our performance, we got a clinic from Dr. Dolan from Vandercook College.

01/31/2026

It was such an honor to perform today. The Wind Ensemble nailed it!

01/30/2026

Tomorrow is the day!!! The band is here!!! Our IMEC performance happens at 9:00 AM in the Civic Center Theater!!!

01/22/2026

The Ottawa Township High School Bands Wind Ensemble is invited to participate in a special performance at the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC) January 30th at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois.

“The significance of this honor is hard to put into words,” says OTHS band director Andrew Jacobi. “It's a huge honor for the band program that only comes with sustained quality.”

The OTHS Wind Ensemble, comprised of top musicians from the overall OTHS band program, is one of four high school bands selected to perform at this year’s 3-day conference presented by the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA).

“This performance is a chance to show the larger Illinois music community what we're doing,” says Jacobi. “Directors notice when you're selected.”

In March of the prior school year, Illinois band directors submit ensembles for consideration to perform at the IMEC. The application requires two recordings, two letters of recommendation from current ILMEA members, and programs from 3-4 recent concerts. An ILMEA review committee evaluates the recordings in May with selections following soon after. “I've applied several times in the past and received that rejection letter each time,” says Jacobi. “Last May, I think I was halfway through reading the email before realizing it was the acceptance letter!”

“Our district is very fortunate to have talented and dedicated music students representing our high school at this prestigious event,” says OTHS Superintendent Dr. Michael Cushing. “We are also fortunate to have highly skilled faculty and staff members leading our music programs at both the high school and affiliated elementary and middle schools.”

Jacobi says this year’s selection is recognition of hard work by past and present students to rebuild the music program after the COVID pandemic. “In some ways, we are still rebuilding, but the commitment of the students has been outstanding throughout this rebuild,” he says. “I never imagined that we'd reach this point this quickly. It's a testament to both past and present members. Each year, we've been able to build onto the progress made the previous year. It's been exciting to watch them grow year after year.”

Jacobi adds reaching this honor is a testament to the support of the entire Ottawa community, giving specific credit to the parents of music students and his OTHS colleague, Ottawa Township High School Choirs director Ali Stachowicz. “Her constant support and excitement for music helped fuel the growth our program has.”

The OTHS Wind Ensemble performs during the IMEC in the Peoria Civic Center Theater between 8:15AM-9:30AM on Friday January 30th, the second day of the conference.

To prepare, the OTHS Wind Ensemble is hosting the Wind Ensemble Illinois Music Education Conference Preview Concert - a free concert in the OTHS auditorium on Monday, January 26th at 7PM.