2027 | MMEA Conference – All-State Collective Ensemble
89th annual mmea in-service workshop/conference
January 26 – january 30, 2027 * Tan-tar-a conference center
MMEA All-State Collective Ensemble
Event Time Line
2026-2027 School Year
October 1 – Application Window Opens
November 1 – Application Window Closes
November 15, 2026 – Results posted to mmea.net
January 27 – Performance at 89th MMEA In-Service Workshop/Conference.
Collective Ensemble Information
| General Information |
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WHO: Open to all types of vocalists and instrumentalist across Missouri in grades 9-12 who would like to collaboarate with other student musicians. The instrumentation will vary based upon the applications submitted and the membership will be limited to 9-15 students.
WHAT: Spend 3 days working with an industry clinician and other high school musicians to create a concert of original songs. Rehearsals will take place from Monday evening through Wednesday afternoon. The original material will be performed on Wednesday, January 27, at the First General Session of the MMEA In-Service Workshop/Conference.
WHEN: JANUARY 25-27, 2027
WHERE: The Missouri Music Educators Annual Conference to be held at the Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach, Missouri
HOW: The Application/Audition Window will open on October 1, 2026 and will close on November 1, 2026. A $30 Audition Fee will be required with the submission of the audition. Results will be announced on November 15, 2026. Applications may be submitted through the MMEA Website.
DETAILS: The goal of The Collective is to bring young musicians together to work collaboratively in creating new and original music.
The instrumentation of the group is flexible and is open to everyone.
Instrumentalists will be expected to bring their own equipment (instruments, amps, etc.)
For selected performers, there is a $150 Participation Fee that covers lodging, clinician, and t-shirt. (Note: Students will be staying in rooms with 2-3 other members of The Collective.)
Meals and transportation to and from Osage Beach will be the responsibility of the participants.
| Audition Information |
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*Audition submissions: The audition window will be open from October 1, 2026 through November 1, 2026.
AUDITION PROCESS
A complete audition will include all of the following:
- An original composition.
- This can be a performance of a full piece, an original beat, an improvised or composed solo, or anything else that is original and displays your technical abilities, musicianship, and creativity in your chosen style(s).
- An original melody/creation based on the provided chord progression/audio file.
- Several styles of a short audio file are available for you to add to or manipulate. You may choose to use any version of the available files or are welcome to use only the provided chord progression.
- Vocalists can choose to create lyrics to sing or can create a melody using a neutral syllable (like ah). MCs should create lyrics.
- Producers/beatmakers can choose to add to the recording or are welcome to sample the recording.
AUDITION EVALUATIONS
- All auditions will be evaluated by three out-of-state artists.
- All auditions will be heard by qualified evaluators, with no vested interest in the results. The auditions will be blind to the panel.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about the audition process please contact:
- Tyler Edwards at thecollective@mmea.net
| Audition Materials |
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Audition Requirements
- Students are required to submit one original recording/composition and one prescribed melody over one of the style tracks provided below.
- Choose one of the following styles to complete your prescribed recording requirement.
- Example: If you would like to submit an audition on guitar, pick a “No Guitar” track from one of the syle options and record a melody over the background track.
Please click the link below to access the audition material options.
2027 All-State Collective Audition Materials
| Audition Form |
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AUDITION FORM
Audition Submission will open on October 1.
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MMEA Collective Ensemble Audition Form
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| Ensemble Fees |
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Audition Fee
- There will be a $30 non-refundable audition fee per student.
- Each individual application fee may be paid by credit card within the student application profile.
Member Fee
- There will be a $150 Member Fee for each student selected to the All-State Collective Ensemble.
| Ensemble Roster |
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2027 Mmea all-state collective ensemble
The 2027 MMEA All-State Collective Ensemble Membership Roster will be available November 15.
| 2027 Collective Ensemble Clinician |
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Dr. Allison Davis holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Missouri with a Cognate in Wind Conducting and Band Pedagogy, a Master of Music in Music Education with a Specialization in Wind Conducting from Bowling Green State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Bowling Green State University. She recently served as Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where she taught music education courses and conducted the Symphonic Winds band ensemble. Davis has had the pleasure of studying with Dr. Brian Silvey, Dr. Wendy Sims, Dr. Amy Knopps, Dr. Lisa Martin, and Dr. Ken Thompson.
Prior to her university teaching experience, Davis taught a combination of secondary band, choir, general music, and marching band in the public schools of Ohio and Missouri. Due to her time spent with diverse student populations, she prioritizes inclusive pedagogy and advocates for the performance of contemporary music by marginalized composers. Ensembles under Davis’s direction have premiered works by Cory Brodack, Mat Campbell, Emilio José González, and Yoell Tewolde, and she has worked closely with other acclaimed composers including Katahj Copley, Kevin Day, Grace Baugher Dunlap, Kelijah Dunton, Roshanne Etezady, and Jennifer Jolley. She actively integrates technology in both lecture-based and ensemble-rehearsal settings, including utilizing ForScore in full ensemble rehearsals and frequently hosting collaborative sessions with composers both in person and on Zoom to create a more interactive and enhanced student experience.
Davis’s primary areas of research include instrumental conducting and rehearsal techniques, preservice music educator development, curriculum analysis, repertoire selection, and democratic practices in large ensemble settings. Her most recent publication, “A Content Analysis of Journal of Popular Music Education Articles (2017–24),” analyzed the article types, participants, and topics represented in JPME articles beginning at the time of the journal’s inception. She has also had research published in Psychology of Music and the Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education. Davis is an active presenter in state, national, and international research settings and is a reviewer for multiple academic journals.
In addition to her full-time academic work, Davis regularly serves as an adjudicator, clinician, and music arranger for students of all ability levels and age ranges around the country. She has been affiliated with the Association for Popular Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Missouri Music Educators Association, Michigan Music Educators Association, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Music Will, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, Ohio Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Texas Music Educators Association. Davis is excited to continue her work in music education and scholarship as a faculty member at Western Michigan University, where she looks forward to fostering inclusive, innovative, and collaborative musical experiences for future educators and performers.
| Weather Contingency Policy |
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MMEA will not refund fees or registrations paid to MMEA for participation in the annual In-Service Workshop due to non-attendance of a registrant caused by an Act of God. An Act of God is deemed to include inclement weather, fire, emergency facility incapacity, or any other event resulting in limited or cancelled participation by the attendee.
Exceptions to this policy, although not normally granted, may be approved by a majority vote of the MMEA Executive Board.