GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PROPOSALS & APPLICATIONS
 

Event Consideration  

Applicants must indicate the event(s) for which their session or performance should be considered:

• Fall In-Service Only -  Friday, October 17, 2025

• Annual State Conference Only - Friday - Sunday, February 20 - 22, 2026

• Either Conference - The review committee will determine the most suitable placement if selected.

 

Session Length

Presentation and performances, including both content delivery and time for Q&A within the following timeframes:

• Fall In-Service (October) - 45-minute sessions

• Annual State Conference (February) - 60-minute sessions

 

NAfME/MMEA Membership 

• Membership in MMEA/NAfME is encouraged but not required at the time of application.

• If selected, active membership is required to confirm participation in September and to present or perform in October and/or February.

  • Membership must remain active through the dates of the applicable conference.

• Exceptions to the membership requirement may be granted by the MMEA President for:

  • Invited or sponsored presenters

  • Individuals outside the field of music education

  • Sponsored session presenters (membership may or may not be required; see Sponsored Sessions section)

• Join or renew your NAfME/MMEA membership here.

  • Membership includes all NAfME memberships, including from different states. 

 

Conference Registration & Commitment 

In September, selected presenters and ensemble directors/conductors must confirm participation by registering for the appropriate event(s):

• Fall In-Service Conference: Full-day registration required

• Annual State Conference: A one-day registration for the day of presentation/performance is required; full conference participation is encouraged

• A discounted registration rate will be provided for selected presenters and directors/conductors

• All presenters, directors/conductors, assistant directors/conductors, and guest conductors must be registered for the day(s) of their scheduled session or performance

• Demonstration & Performance Ensembles

  • Ensemble performers will receive a limited-access pass valid for the day of performance, which includes access to other performances and the exhibit hall.

  • Ensembles will be scheduled for a designated time to visit the exhibit area.

  • Ensemble members who wish to attend additional sessions or events must register as conference attendees.

 

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SESSION PROPOSALS GUIDELINES 

 

Type of Session Proposal 

Sessions may be one of the following:

• Session Presentation

• Presentation with Demonstration Ensemble/Group 

• Sponsored Session Presentation 

  • Please review the following information: MMEA Sponsored Session Information

 

Strands

Sessions should align with one or more of the following content strands. Applicants will choose the one area to be considered the primary strand, as well as additional applicable strands.

• Classroom Music

• Band

• Chorus

• Orchestra

• Emerging Ensemble

• Emerging Practices

• TI:ME/Music Technology 

• Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Access (DEIA)

• Collegiate/Pre-Service (Student) 

• Higher Education (Faculty)

• Music Administration

 

Levels/Contexts

Sessions should be applicable to one or more grade level(s)/contexts:

• Elementary School

• MIddle School

• High School

• College

• Community 

• Other

 

Additional Proposal Information

• Multiple proposals are welcome. A separate submission form entry should be created for each proposal/application. 

• All sessions should be interactive and engaging.

• Up to three (3) presenters per proposal are welcome.  

• Proposals are welcome in all existing, expanding, and emerging pathways in PreK–12 music education, music teacher education, higher education, and music administration.

• MMEA has a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA). Proposals should identify strategies on how the session would be accessible to ALL participants.

• Professionals of all ages, cultures, and experience levels are encouraged to submit.

 

Sponsored Sessions

Music industry partners and organizations focused on music education are invited to submit proposals under one of the following three categories of Sponsored Sessions:

• Sponsored Session

• Sponsored Session with Product Demonstration

• Sponsored Session with Conference Partnership

• Click Here for more information about the MMEA Sponsored Sessions. 

 

Presentation with Demonstration Group/Ensemble 

• A Presentation with Demonstration Group/Ensemble focuses on the session’s core concept, with the ensemble present to support and enhance the presentation.

• Sessions may be submitted for the Fall In-Service Conference (October), the Annual State Conference (February), or may be designated for committee placement based on event needs.

• These sessions will be listed as: “[Session Title]” featuring “[Ensemble Name]”

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PERFORMANCE APPLICATION GUIDELINES 

 

Performance Type 

Performances should feature ensembles/groups classified as: 

• Classroom Music

• Band

• Chorus

• Orchestra

• Emerging Ensemble (e.g., Steel Pan, Ukuleles, Modern Band)

• Other

 

Performance Levels 

Ensembles can come from: 

• Elementary School

• Middle School

• High School

• College

• Community

• Professional

• Other

 

Performance Information

• Featured ensembles at the conference will be billed as an “[Ensemble Name] Concert.”

• Applications will be reviewed for consideration at the Annual State Conference (February) only.

  • Performance time slots will be limited to a maximum of 60 minutes.

  • Time for set-up, breakdown, and warm up will be based on the schedule. 

• MMEA recognizes and celebrates the wide diversity of performing ensembles, and encourages applications from traditional, emerging, innovative, and alternative ensembles representing all ages, experience levels, program sizes, cultures, and genres.

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REQUIRED INFORMATION 

 

Call for Proposals Required Information

• Session Proposals

  • All presenters wishing to be considered, must submit a Session Proposal. This application will ask for the following information/materials:

    • Presenter(s) name(s), headshot, bio, contact information

    • NAfME membership number (Optional during proposal process) 

    • Event Consideration - Fall In-Service and/or Annual Conference

      • Fall In-Service Only - Friday, October 17, 2025

      • Annual State Conference Only - Friday-Sunday, February 20-22, 2026

      • Either Conference - The committee will decide where the session may be best scheduled if selected. 

    • Title and Description of the proposed session 

    • Summary of specific needs for proposed sessions, such as AV, equipment, etc. 

    • Scheduling preferences/constraints

• Sponsored Sessions

  • Sponsor’s name and contact information (Sponsored Session)

  • Sponsor’s name, contact information, and Logo (Sponsored Session with Partnership)

• Presentation with Demonstration Ensemble/Group

  • Director/Conductor name and contact information

  • MMEA/NAfME Membership Number (if different than primary presenter - optional during proposal process)

  • Ensemble/Institution Name

  • Recent concert program (2024-2025 academic year)

  • Summary of how the ensemble/group will participate in this session

  • Two (2) audio recordings of two (2) representative performance selections by the ensemble from the current school year (2024-2025)

    • Audio file only - No video

    • Do not include any recorded words, announcements, titles, or thumbnail slides that would identify the group or its conductor on the recording.

  • Prediction of equipment and other logistical needs

  • School/Institution Administrator Contact Information

 

Performance Application Required Information

• All performing ensembles wishing to be considered for the 2026 MMEA State Conference (February) must complete an Application for Performance. This application will ask for the following information/materials:

  • Director/Conductor name, contact information, headshot, bio, & MMEA/NAfME Membership Number (if different than primary presenter)

  • Ensemble/Institution Name

  • Recent concert program (2024-2025 academic year)

  • Two (2) audio recordings of two (2) representative performance selections by the ensemble from the current school year (2024-2025)

    • Audio file only - No video

    • Do not include any recorded words, announcements, titles, that would identify the group or its conductor on the recording. 

  • Prediction of equipment and other logistical needs

  • School/Institution Administrator Contact Information  

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APPLICATION STEPS 

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Application Process

• Read the guidelines and requirements.

• Create a free account in the online submission platform, or sign in to an existing account. When creating an account, you will be asked to provide an email address and create a password.  

• If your proposal has co-presenters (three [3] maximum), one person should complete the session proposal and be the main point of contact.

• Click “Submit” to finalize your submission.

• Upon successful submission of a proposal, an automated confirmation email will be sent to the email address associated with your account. Please forward this to any co-presenters and save a copy for your records.

• After a proposal is processed, the status will be "In Progress” through the review process.

 

Review/Selection Process

• Submissions/Applications will go through a multiple-step review process beginning with an anonymous review. The MMEA Conference Committee, consisting of board members, component officers, and selected general members, will make the final selections.

• The MMEA Conference Committee reserves the right to select session proposals that best address the stands/levels according to the given rubric. 

• MMEA reserves the right to edit session titles and descriptions. 

 

Notification/Acceptance Process 

• After the reviews are completed, an email updating you on the status of your proposal will be sent to the email address used in the session proposal. Communication will occur by mid August.

• If selected, presenters/conductors will need to reply within the Submittable platform, confirm MMEA/NAfME membership, and register/pay for the conference(s) in which they will present/perform/attend. This will be expected by mid September. 

 

Submittable Help

1. Click here for support or contact support@submittable.com for all technical/navigation issues. 

2. If you need to edit your proposal after submitting it, you may make this request through the Submittable platform. Edits may be made only through the deadline for submission. 

3. If you need to edit your submitted proposal before the deadline, you may do so using these instructions. Edits will not be allowed after the submission deadline.

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FORMS & RUBRICS 

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Use this form for all Session Proposals, Session Proposals with Demonstration Group, and Sponsored Sessions (including product demonstrations and partnerships)

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Use this form for all Performance Applications. 

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Session Review Rubrics
All session review rubrics can be found here: MMEA Conference Rubrics

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For information about the 2024 Fall In-Service Conference, Click here.

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For information about the 2025 Annual State Conference, Click here.

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