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
Minnesota Music Future Music Educators
Started in 2023, MMEA offers a program for high school music students interested in pursuing a career in Music Education. The program, called Minnesota Future Music Educators (MFME), will be held on Thursday afternoon of the MMEA Midwinter Convention.
Registered students will attend sessions focusing on what they should consider doing now to prepare for a career as a music educator, as well as what they can expect from this career choice. This program is open to current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. *Note- This program is not for high school students interested in performance majors or other music careers, but solely for students who wish to explore a major in Music Education.
At the sessions, topics of discussion will include:
- Typical university music education requirements for entry
- What students should be doing now while in high school
- Preparing for a college music school audition
- Career paths available with a music education degree
- Music education programs beyond large ensembles
- Things you never realized your music teachers had to do
Students will also be provided with time to visit the MMEA Exhibit Hall and visit with various college/university representatives of schools they might wish to attend.
Here is some important information students will need if they decide to attend:
- Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
- Location: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
- Time: 12:00 Noon – 5:45 p.m.
- 12:00 Noon – 1:15 p.m. Check-in at Exhibit Hall A on the lower level.
- 1:30 p.m. Session Begins: Room: L100H (located in the lower level rooms nearest Exhibit Hall A.) Parents are welcome to attend the MFME sessions as well.
- MMEA is committed to offering this opportunity to every student regardless of ability to contribute money toward the full cost of the program. Please help us sustain this program by paying what you can. The cost of the program to MMEA is $30 per student. If $30 is not possible, MMEA is offering partial or full fee waivers, and will be granted with no questions asked. Please do not let the ability to pay the full fee impact your registration. We appreciate the generous support from Schmitt Music that helps make this program possible.
- Enrollment is limited, so do not delay in registering.
Dr. Janet Heukeshoven and Eric Heukeshoven
MFME Coordinators
MFME@mmea.org
Corporate Sponsor- Many thanks to Schmitt Music for supporting MN Future Music Educators.
