February 2026 All-State Ensembles

MMEA February All-State Dates:

Rehearsal and Concert Day for Choirs: Saturday February 14, 2026 at St Michael-Albertville High School

Rehearsal and Concert Day for Concert and Symphonic Bands: Saturday February 14, 2026 at Monticello High School

Rehearsal and Concert Day for Orchestra: Saturday February 14, 2026, College of St. Benedict, Escher Auditorium

Rehearsal and Concert Day for Jazz Band: March 18th, Dakota Jazz Club

Overall Rehearsal Schedule for all All-State Ensembles – this is a preliminary schedule that is subject to change. Please keep checking back for updates!

REHEARSAL INFORMATION

This includes rehearsal locations, concert dress code, what to bring and MORE! Please note that all students are responsible for bringing a bag lunch that caters to their dietary restrictions.

Eligibility for All-State:

  • You must be enrolled in your school’s corresponding ensemble through February. If you are no longer enrolled, contact MMEA at info@mmea.org.
  • Eligibility Policies

Tuesday February 3, 2026 – Community Update

We recognize that this moment is heavy, and that members of our community are holding a wide range of responses — including disappointment, concern, grief, anger, agreement, and unanswered questions. It is understandable if this decision feels complicated, and we acknowledge that people are engaging with it from different places.

While this year’s Midwinter Convention was canceled, MMEA’s commitment to connection, learning, and student experience remains unchanged. In response, we are moving forward with a virtual Midwinter Convention to be held on the originally scheduled dates, February 12–14, 2026, with options for both synchronous and asynchronous participation.

The virtual convention will include:

– Three relicensure sessions provided by Perpich

– Online offerings from a number of presenters

– Programming from the PLUG

– Virtual Exhibit Hall

In addition, members of the NAfME community and colleagues from across the country have stepped forward to offer time, expertise, and presentations in support of this virtual experience. We are deeply grateful for this generosity and will share details as sessions are finalized.

Several performing groups have elected to be featured at the 2027 Midwinter Convention, and to share a recording this year as part of the virtual experience. The virtual convention will be offered at 50% of the regular registration fee.

Choral Ensemble Updates

Following continued assessment and listening, the MMEA Board is grateful for the leadership of Zack Carlson-Giving, Joe Osowski, and their colleagues at Buffalo High School and St. Michael–Albertville High School, who initiated and organized efforts to host choral events at their schools. Their willingness to lead and serve students during this moment has made the following options possible.

All-State Choir

MMEA is planning to hold an optional All-State Choir experience on February 14 at St. Michael–Albertville High School. Timing details are still being finalized. Cooperating teachers and students should expect an update soon, with the goal of sharing a schedule by Wednesday, February 4.

Elementary All-Star Choir

This performance is being explored for rescheduling later in the school year. Additional information will be shared as plans develop.

Midwinter Convention Performing Choirs

Buffalo High School has offered to host performing choirs on the originally scheduled MMEA dates. Once details are finalized, information will be shared with membership for those who wish to attend. We extend sincere thanks to Zack Carlson-Giving and Buffalo High School for their leadership. Some schools have also chosen to perform locally, and we encourage members to support these programs in their communities.

Participation in any in-person opportunity is optional. Students and families who choose not to participate will be fully respected and supported.

Instrumental Ensembles

MMEA is actively working with community leaders and partners to determine appropriate next steps for band, orchestra, and jazz. These ensembles involve different considerations related to scale, logistics, and student needs. That work is ongoing, and we are intentionally avoiding one-size-fits-all solutions. We appreciate the community’s patience as this process continues.

  • MMEA is grateful to Band Co-VPs Andy DeLuca and Jonathon Knutson for making it possible for both All-State Bands to have their rehearsal and concert at Monticello High School on Saturday, February 14th.
  • All-State Orchestra venue is nearly solidified for rehearsal and concert on Saturday, February 14th. Details coming soon.
  • All-State Jazz Band – We are working to find a new date in the Dakota in March or April. Instrumentation for jazz is critical and we will do our best to find a time that will work for as many students as possible.

We want to be clear that these steps do not represent a reversal of the January 26 decision, nor a belief that the conditions named in that message have been resolved. The cancellation of the in-person convention was made to avoid placing students and educators in a position where participation felt required despite fear, uncertainty, or circumstances beyond their control. That commitment remains.

At the same time, care can look different for different people. Offering optional, limited opportunities where readiness exists — while fully respecting those who choose not to participate — reflects our effort to support students without pressure or expectation.

MMEA is, at its core, a community. Even when plans change, that commitment remains. We will continue to share updates as details are finalized.

—

Minnesota Music Educators Association

Board of Directors and Staff

Monday, January 26, 2026. A note from the Board of Directors:

After many hours of discussion by the Executive Board and MMEA Board of Directors, the decision has been made to cancel the in-person 2026 Midwinter Convention and MMEA’s associated in-person student events in Minneapolis. MMEA cannot uphold its mission to develop, promote, and support equitable and comprehensive music learning and teaching when the health and safety of many in our communities are at risk. Please click the LINK for a message from MMEA’s Board President, Dr. Christopher Rochester.  

Please know that this decision was very difficult. The safety of our students, presenters, performers, teachers, and exhibitors must be our first priority despite the large financial strain that will be put on the organization. MMEA is contractually obligated to all of the service contracts the MWC requires including the Hilton, Minneapolis Convention Center, Orchestra Hall, Dakota, and equipment rentals that make the in-person experience special. 

MMEA believes that music is core to the human experience and in order to support our Minnesota communities, we are diligently working on a way to create an online format to host sessions and performances as well as exhibitors and sponsors. We will miss being together in person, but we still want to offer the opportunity for Minnesota’s dedicated music educators and students to be able to connect with the wider community.

Please know that there will be a lot of replanning happening in the coming week to assess exactly what MMEA can offer digitally, and how to best offer refunds for those that have already invested in registration for convention and other student programming. We ask that you please hold your questions regarding refunds for now, as our capacity to respond to emails right now is limited. We will have an avenue to refunds available soon. 

Please stay tuned as we continue to work on ways to connect with our music community!

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding through this process. We will send further communication about an online event and refunds soon. We hope to see you there!

All the best,

MMEA Board of Directors and Staff

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