2026 State Solo & Ensemble Information
Overview
The State Solo & Ensemble Festival is open to all Maryland public and private school music students in grades 6-12 who have earned a Superior (I) rating on a solo or ensemble performance of a music grade 2 or higher at the 2025-2026 Maryland District Solo & Ensemble Festival. Students must perform music from the MMEA approved repertoire lists.
Qualifying Solos & Ensembles must have earned a Superior (I) rating in one of the following 2025-2026 district/county events:
District 1 – Prince George’s County
District 2 – Montgomery County
District 3 – Anne Arundel County
District 4 – St. Mary’s County
District 5 – Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties
District 6 – Harford County
District 7 – Baltimore County
District 8 – Carroll County
District 9 – Allegany and Garrett Counties
District 10 – Baltimore City
District 11 – Charles County
District 12 – Calvert County
District 13 – Howard County
District 14 – Frederick County
District 15 – Washington County
District 16 – Cecil County
The Goals of the Festival are to:
-
Provide an opportunity for wind, percussion, vocal, and string students to select, prepare, and perform solo and ensemble literature for performance and evaluation.
-
Encourage students to perform solo literature.
-
Provide a formative tool so students can self-evaluate and receive quality feedback about their technique and performance.
Component Policy & Procedure Reference
MMEA is following the most recent set of Policy and Procedures for MBDA, MCEA, and MODA, linked below. Please reference the following Policy & Procedures.
Note - for registration processes and financial matters, please reference the information on this page and not the information in the Policy & Procedures linked below. In addition there are some updated policies in relation to district events and the approach to accompaniment.
Maryland Band Directors Association
Maryland Choral Educators Association
Maryland Orchestra Directors Association
Dates & Locations
The 2026 State Solo & Ensemble Festival will be held in-person only. There will be no live-virtual or recorded submission options.
Saturday, May 9, 2026 - MODA (Strings)
The Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts, University of Maryland, College Park
Saturday, May 16, 2026 - MBDA (Band) and MCEA (Chorus)
Center for the Arts, Towson University, Towson
Please note: Individual performance times will be released with the schedules. Caregivers will be able to request a time slot during the registration process. Scheduling requests are not guaranteed, however MMEA will work to accommodate time requests as best as possible.
Students performing in more than one solo or ensemble must coordinate with their fellow performers and accompanists to make sure all request the same performance time.
Festival Application Timeline
State Solo & Ensemble Registration Deadline (Caregivers)
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Late Registration Window (Caregivers)
Thursday, April 2 to Thursday, April 9, 2026
Schedules Published to the Public/Participants
Two weeks prior to the event
Festival Dates (see locations above)
May 9 & 16, 2026
Eligibility
The eligibility rules for this festival are as follows:
-
To participate in the State Solo and Ensemble Festival, a student must attend a public, parochial, or independent (private) school in Maryland.
-
Students must be enrolled in their school band/chorus/orchestra class or school sponsored ensemble in the appropriate grade to participate in statewide activities. If a high school uses an alternative scheduling model, students can participate in the years in which they receive full credit for ensemble classes. Students who do not participate in their school appropriate ensemble class or school sponsored ensemble are not eligible.
-
Instrumental and vocal students in grades 6-12 who have earned a Superior (I) rating at a 2025-2026 Maryland District Solo and Ensemble Festival on music grade 2 through 6 may apply for the State Solo and Ensemble Festival.
-
The performer(s) who qualify at the district level must be the same persons who perform at the state level.
-
Students may perform in up to three (3) events.
-
Music educator membership in MMEA/NAfME is not required but encouraged.
Repertoire
-
All music performed must be listed in the MMEA approved lists for Instrumental or Vocal. When registering, list the ID number (column A), title, and composer/arranger exactly as it appears on the MMEA State Repertoire Lists.
-
Performers must present a selection at the same grade level with which they qualified at the district level.
-
Compositions may not be more than 10 minutes in length. If a composition is over 10 minutes in length, the adjudicator will determine the length of music to be played.
Music Copyright Compliance
MMEA operates in compliance with the US Copyright Act. A complete measure-numbered score for each ensemble or a measure-numbered original of the solo for each soloist must be provided for the adjudicator. Failure to provide this music may result in a penalty of one rating lower. Anyone using a photocopy of the music that is not in Public Domain will receive a lowered grade unless accompanied by written verification of permission from the publisher. Music purchased online as digital copies should clearly indicate ownership/performance permission.
Accompaniment
Students and ensembles must provide their own accompanist. Music with published accompaniments must be included in the performance. Accompanists’ names must be provided in the registration form so that the schedule can be efficient for them.
For the 2026 MMEA State Solo & Ensemble Festival, the MMEA Committee will follow the Policies and Procedures set forth by the MBDA, MCEA, and MODA Handbooks.
Update for 2026 - In reference to the policies for accompaniment, students’ performances are encouraged to use live accompaniment, however recorded accompaniment will be allowed.
MMEA 2026 State Solo & Ensemble Festival Memo - Accompaniment Guide
Scales and Sightreading
Sight-reading will not be required at the State Solo and Ensemble Festival.
Scale Requirements for Band & Orchestra (Solo Only)
-
MBDA/Band will not be requiring students to perform scales during this event.
-
Updated 3/10/26 - Orchestra Scale Performance Requirements for Solo Events: All entrants will be asked to perform the chromatic scale; one major scale on one (1) octave for music grade level 2 and two (2) octaves for music grade level 3 to 6. Major scales will be selected from the following keys: C, G, D, A, F, B Flat, and E Flat. Scales are to be played evenly and smoothly in a 16th note pattern at the metronome speed of a quarter note = 72. All scales are to be played ascending and descending.
Adjudication, Comment Sheets, & Certificates
Performances will be judged by MMEA qualified adjudicators and comment sheets will be provided to the performers.
Certificates will be provided to the performers.
Medals will be available for purchase at the event after the students receive their results. Medals for Superior (I) and Excellent (II) ratings can be purchased for $15. Students will show their comment/score sheet to purchase the appropriate medal.
$20 for solo performances
$30 for duet/trio performances
$40 for ensembles of four (4) or more performers
Festival registration fees are non-refundable in the event of student cancellation. We are unable to offer flexible pricing for the State Solo & Ensemble.
Late Registrations (April 2-9) - Scheduling will be on a space-available basis. If a room/instrument is full, MMEA will notify the registrant. Refunds of the registration fee will be issued If a student/ensemble cannot be scheduled by MMEA. Please note that invoicing is not available for late registrations. All fees must be paid by credit card at the time of submission.
Invoicing (Educators Only) - MMEA will provide a check-out code that will be sent to Supervisors/Coordinators for any schools/districts who wish to pay the registration fee for their students. Private Schools please email to request the code prior to student registering. Invoices will be generated after April 2.
Late Fee Policy (Educators Only) - Invoices not paid within 60 days will be assessed a late fee. Invoice totals of $100 or less will be assessed a late fee of $20. Invoices over $100 will be assessed a 20% late fee, not to exceed $500.
Important Note on Piano
Piano is used only as accompaniment in the State Festival. It is not included as a featured solo or ensemble instrument and MMEA does not maintain a State piano repertoire list.
Piano students are encouraged to explore events hosted by the
Maryland State Music Teachers Association (MSMTA).
Questions and Communication
Please contact MMEA Staff at mmeamarylandinfo@gmail.com with questions and include the school music educator in all communications.
MMEA Accessibility/Accommodations Request Form
MMEA remains committed to advancing diversity and inclusion throughout music education to foster a welcoming and inclusive organization. Integrating the various learning needs and accommodations for students with a disability, IEP, or 504 is of the utmost importance. We continue to develop and implement operational policies and procedures for MMEA programs, products and services.
All requests are addressed on a case-by-case basis, and documentation must be provided. Please complete and submit this form to request accommodations. All forms MUST be completed five (5) business days prior to the event.
MMEA Accessibility/Accommodations Form
Registration Forms for Caregivers
Jenny Wegman-Ey; Solo & Ensemble Chair,, Howard County Public Schools
Amy T. Hairston; MMEA President, Montgomery County Public Schools
Scott Engel; MBDA President, Washington County Public Schools
Charnice Frazier; MCEA President, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Stephanie Mayer-Sattin; MODA President, Montgomery County; Private School
Christina Donall Lebovitz; MBDA Solo & Ensemble Chair, Baltimore County Public Schools
VACANT; MCEA Solo & Ensemble Chair
Christine Brimhall, MODA Solo & Ensemble Chair, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Anthony Conto; MMEA Executive Director