Monday Notes - May 12, 2025

As we reach the end of the school year, please take a few minutes and review the following to set yourself up for a great summer and 2025 - 2026 school year.

As the school year comes to a close, it’s a great time to pause and reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together. From concerts to rehearsals and competitions, there’s so much to be proud of. As you begin your transition into summer, here are a few highlights and thoughts to carry with you:

• A fantastic inaugural State Marching Contest that featured 29 bands!
• A highly successful second year of Vocal Jazz All-State with increased audition numbers!
• 55 district events hosted across the state!
• Approximately 24,918 student participants in NMMEA district events!
• Approximately 6,225 student participants in NMMEA state events !
• Over 31,000 student participants in NMMEA events!

Thank you, thank you and thank you for an incredible year!

We're looking to bring talented educators to New Mexico—let's work together to find our future colleagues!

Please share the NMMEA Job Board with friends and fellow professionals. You can also use the link to post any open positions at your school or organization.

Summer is almost here and it is time to plan for summer events. Please see the following list of opportunities for you and your students.

Student Events

• June 1-5 - ENMU Choir Camp (link)
• Eastern New Mexico University, Portales

• June 5-6 - NMSU Drum Line Academy (link)
• New Mexico State University, Las Cruces

• June 9-11 - ENMU Band Camp (link)
• Eastern New Mexico University, Portales

• June 17-18 - New Mexico Drum Major Camp (link)
• University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

• June 23-27 - UNM Jazz Combo Camp (link)
• University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

• July 7-8 - SASI Colorguard Camp (link)
• Eagle Ridge Middle School, Rio Rancho

• July 9 - SASI Drum Major Camp (link)
• Rio Rancho High School, Rio Rancho

• July 11-12 - NMSU Leadership & Drum Major Academy (link)
• New Mexico State University, Las Cruces

• July 22-27 - Southwest Trombone Conference (link)
• University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

We regret to inform you that the Summer General Music Workshop scheduled for June 21st has been cancelled due to low registration. We value your input—if you are interested in seeing this type of workshop offered in the future, please let us know. Your feedback helps guide our programming decisions.

Below are important dates to add to your calendar as you begin plans for the summer and next year:

• June 21, 2025 - NMMEA General Music Workshop - Eldorado HS, Albuquerque (Registration link)
• October 16-25, 2025 - Choir, Guitar & Orchestra All-State Auditions
• October 25, 2025 - NMAA/NMMEA State Marching Band Contest (Registration link)
• October 29-November 8, 2025 - Band & Jazz All-State Auditions

• January 14-17, 2026 - All-State Music Festival & In-Service Conference
• January 22-24, 2026 - Jazz All-State
• April 14-15, 2026 - State Choir Contest (Tentative)
• April 16-18, 2026 - State Band Contest (Tentative)

Don't forget to order practice tracks for choral auditions! All audition tracks are now available (link).

Consider submitting a recording of your ensemble for consideration as a 2026 Honor Ensemble. All directors are welcome to apply, but the preferred rotation for the 2026 conference is outlined below:

• Alternative/Guitar - No rotation
• Choir & Orchestra - Large school preference
• Band - Small school
• General Music - Elementary ensemble
• Jazz - Small school

Resources

• Application and more information can be found here.

• Please review submission process (link) as it has changed.