Monday Notes

NMMEA and NMAA are excited to announce the judging panel for the first official New Mexico State Marching Band Competition! This all star panel consists of some of the biggest names in the activity who are excited to share their experience and feedback to our bands in the fall. What a great opportunity to be adjudicated by some of the best known names in the county.

• 2024 Judging Panel

Have you registered? If not, make sure to take care of that this week! Registrations received by May 1st will be drawn for performance order by class. Registrations received after May 1 will be scheduled at the beginning of the classification.

Make sure to register for this inaugural event and receive feedback from our amazing judging panel!

• Registration Link

Just a reminder that the event will be October 26th at Rio Rancho High School.

This week's advocacy challenge:

• Register for the summer music educators workshop

Make plans now to attend your district spring meeting to plan for next year as well as nominate and vote on NMMEA award nominees.

• District 1 (SW)
• District 2 (SE)
• District 3 (NW)
• District 4 (NC)
• District 6 (C)
• District 7 (ABQ)

Don't forget to register for the Summer Music Educators Workshop to be held on July 13th in the Albuquerque area. This is always a great event and a great way to prepare to return for the fall semester.

• Click here to register

Consider submitting an application and recording to be considered for a 2025 Conference Honor Ensemble. More information can be found in the handbook and the application can be found on this page of the website.

Rotation preference:

• Band - Large school preference
• Choir - Small school preference
• General Music - Elementary ensemble preference
• Guitar & Alternative ensemble - No preference
• Jazz - Non big band preference
• Orchestra - Small school preference

Remember that above are preferences, however all classifications are encouraged to submit audition applications every year. Application must be postmarked or emailed by June 1st and should be sent directly to the respective Vice President.

The Executive Committee voted to add an honor ensemble opportunity to the conference. The selected ensemble will be featured on the Wednesday opening session along with the honor Jazz Band. Wording from the handbook is below, but as way of clarification ensembles such as string quartet, barbershop quartet, percussion ensemble, etc, would fall under this submission category.

1. GUITAR & ALTERNATIVE HONOR GROUPS

1. A guitar or alternative ensemble is any middle or high school ensemble that doesn’t fall into the traditional band, choir, jazz, or orchestra ensemble category.

1. This may include small ensembles such as string quartet, percussion ensemble, barbershop quartet, steel drum band, director ensemble, mariachi, etc.

2. Ensembles may apply to the NMMEA President to perform on the Honor Concert by submitting the application, three copies of an audio recording of a live concert performance of the ensemble, (digital files acceptable) and three sets of unmarked scores of the pieces being performed. One copy of each item is required if submitting digitally. Selections may be taken from various recordings as long as they are from a live performance and not more than one year old. Recordings may not be more than 30 minutes in length and should include diverse selections.

1. Do not send photocopies of scores unless accompanied by an official letter of permission from the publisher or the ensemble will be disqualified.

2. Downloadable (ePrint) scores must be submitted with a receipt for each score. Identifying names (i.e., school, director, district, etc.) on ePrint scores must be blacked out.

3. Any engineering, editing, or tampering in any way with the audition recording is expressly prohibited.

3. There should be nothing on the recording or scores (markings, names, announcements, etc.), which would identify your ensemble to the adjudicators (this is a totally anonymous audition process). Please check your scores and recordings thoroughly (including digital file names). Violation of this rule will result in the ensemble being disqualified.

4. Ensembles applying and auditioning for an honor performance designation must provide a letter from the local Superintendent of Schools or Board of Education, or Principal, that if selected, the group has permission to attend and perform at the All-State Music Festival and In-Service Conference.

5. Only ensembles deemed outstanding will be considered for an honor performance.

6. NMMEA assumes no financial responsibility for honor ensemble expenses for a performance at All-State.

7. NOTE: The Official Application Form (available under forms on the NMMEA Website at: http:// www.nmmea.com), letter of permission, performance recordings, and scores should all be sent by registered mail to the NMMEA President postmarked by June 1, of the year proceeding All-State. The final selection will be announced at the summer NMMEA Board of Directors meeting.

Start thinking of names to nominate for NMMEA awards and then nominate them at your district meeting.

• Criteria and nomination process can be found here.