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Overview

 

All State is an opportunity for Maryland public, private, and independent school music students in grades 7-12 to audition for premiere, state-wide ensembles. The ensembles are led by renowned conductors from Maryland and across the United States. All State ensembles are grade level and content area specific, with diverse repertoire chosen to showcase these outstanding student musicians.

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MMEA is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive community in which participants and members of all backgrounds can access events, programs, services, and be treated fairly. MMEA does not tolerate harassment, discrimination, prejudice, or bias in admission, employment, volunteering, or administration of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity or expression, political affiliation, ancestry, or military service.
 

All State Ensembles

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For All State 2026, the following ensembles will be seated: Junior Band, Junior Mixed Chorus, Junior Orchestra, Senior Band, Senior Jazz Band, Senior Commercial Band, Senior Mixed Chorus, Senior Treble Chorus, and Senior Orchestra. 

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• Ensemble Grade Levels

 

Junior Ensembles - Grades 7-9

Senior Ensembles - Grades 10-12

 

• Please refer to the 2025-2026 All State Auditions - Instruments/VocalParts for band/orchestra ensemble instrumentation and choral ensemble divisi. 

 

• All nominated students and their caregivers must review the 2026 All State Experience - Information for Nominees.
   

Audition Timeline

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Mid-August - Full All State Nomination/Audition Information and Materials Available

 

Mid-August to September 24 -  Nomination Window - All Ensembles

 

September 25 to September 29* - Late Nomination Window - All Ensembles

 

October 1 to October 15 - Registration Window (all ensembles, all instruments/vocal parts)

 

October 16 to October 27* - Registration Late Window (all ensembles, all instruments/vocal parts)

 

October 29 to November 5 - Audition Submission Window for Recorded/Asynchronous (Senior Jazz Band, Senior Commercial Band, Senior Harp, Senior Piano)

 

November 15 - Auditions for Junior Band, Mixed Chorus, & Orchestra (Strings)

 

November 22 - Auditions for Senior Band, Chorus, & Orchestra (Strings)

 

Early December - All State rosters released

*Late nomination fee is $35. Late registration fee is $25; see Audition Registration Fee for details.

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All State Audition Format

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• Junior and Senior Band, Chorus, and Orchestra (except Harp/Piano): In-person auditions

• Senior Jazz Band, Senior Commercial Band, and Senior Harp and Piano: Recorded/Asynchronous auditions

• No alternate audition formats are allowed

• Students must be registered

• No walk-in auditions allowed for in-person auditions

• No late audition submissions allowed for recorded/asynchronous auditions

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Audition Materials

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Audition materials for all ensembles may be found here: 2025-2026 Audition Materials.​

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Questions and Communication Policy

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To help facilitate this audition process, caregivers or students may need to communicate directly with MMEA staff for questions and support. We ask that the student’s music educator be copied on all messages to MMEA to assure transparency and accurate communication. MMEA staff will extend the same courtesy in the event staff needs to communicate with caregivers and/or students.  

When communicating with MMEA regarding All State auditions, please include the student’s full name, grade, ensemble(s) they are auditioning for, and instrument/vocal part. Once a student has completed the audition registration process, please include the audition number in any communications. 

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Please consult with your student’s nominating music educator and this All State Audition FAQ. If your question is not answered, contact MMEA Staff at mmeamarylandinfo@gmail.com.​

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University Sponsored All State Preparation Clinics

 

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

Department of Music

Sunday, September 14 - Woodwind Day

Saturday, September 27 - Brass Day

UMBC’s Annual Brass and Woodwind Days will include All State audition prep clinics, along with masterclasses and faculty performances. The events are free and registration is required. See flyers for details: WOODWIND DAY; BRASS DAY.

 

Frostburg State University, (Allegany County) - Registration Now Open! See Flyer for Details.
Department of Music
Saturday, October 18 - Strings, Percussion, Jazz
Saturday, October 25 - Brass, Woodwinds, Chorus

Frostburg State University Department of Music invites students auditioning for Maryland All State ensembles to a day of coaching and workshops to prepare for this year's auditions. Events are free and registration is required. See flyer for details: FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY - 2025 ALL STATE PREPARATION CLINIC

 

University of Maryland, College Park  (Prince George’s County) - Registration Now Open! See Flyer for Details.
School of Music

Saturday, October 18 - Strings, Percussion, Jazz
Saturday, October 25 - Brass, Woodwinds, Chorus

The University of Maryland School of Music invites students auditioning for Maryland All State ensembles to a day of repertoire coaching, masterclasses, and sight-reading workshops to prepare for this year's auditions and beyond. Events are free and registration is required. See flyer for details: MUSIC AT MARYLAND - 2025 ALL STATE CLINIC DAYS

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Salisbury University (Wicomico County) - Registration Now Open! See Flyer for Details.
Department of Department of Music, Theatre and Dance

Friday, November 7 - Senior Band Only; Brass, Woodwinds, Percussion

Salisbury University Department of Music invites SENIOR BAND students auditioning for Maryland All State to an afternoon of repertoire coaching, masterclasses, and sight-reading workshops to prepare for this year's auditions. Registration is required. See flyer for details: 2025 ALL SHORE / ALL STATE PREP DAY at SALISBURY UNIVERSITY (Note: Students will be given an excused absence for this event.)