2027 | MMEA Conference – All-Collegiate Jazz Ensemble

89th annual mmea in-service workshop/conference
January 26 – january 30, 2027 * Tan-tar-a conference center

MMEA All-Collegiate Jazz Ensemble 

     

Event Time Line
2026-2027 School Year

 

October 15 – Application Window Opens

November 15 – Application Window Closes 

December 5, 2026 – Results posted to mmea.net

January 27 – Performance at 89th MMEA In-Service Workshop/Conference.

 

 

Collegiate Jazz Ensemble Information

 

Ensemble Guidelines


Guidelines & processes

Our goal is to have representation from as many colleges and universities across the state as possible.

  • All institutions must award at least an Associate’s Degree or Music Minor.
  • All participants must be undergraduate students in good standing and enrolled in your institution for the spring 2027 semester.
  • Participants must be a member of your school’s Jazz Ensemble (if this offering exists).
  • Participants must be currently enrolled in the applied music studios at their institution (if this offering exists).
  • Participants must be in attendance at the 2027 MMEA Annual In-Service Workshop/Conference beginning the evening of Monday, January 25 through the performance on the evening of Wednesday, January 27, 2027.
 

audition information

PLEASE COMPLETE A SEPARATE FORM FOR EACH STUDENT NOMINATED:

  • The online application form (below)  must be completed for each perspective member. 
    • NOTE: If there is more than one auditionee per instrument from your school, please indicate accordingly. For example, “Tenor Trombone A – College Name” and “Tenor Trombone B – College Name.”  
  • An audio recording of the selected excerpt must be uploaded for each auditionee.
  • An audio recording of the  improvisation, and/or other specified components, must be uploaded for each auditionee.


      Thank you for taking the time to submit your students for consideration. 

Audition Materials

 

Saxophones, Trumpets & Trombones

*Include the following in your audition recording:

  1. A performance of the selected excerpt for your instrument.
  2. 2 Choruses of improvisation over the backing track provided. 

Audition Excerpts:

Piano, Bass, Guitar, Vibes

*Include the following in your audition recording:

  1. A performance of the selected excerpt for your instrument.
  2. A performance of a comp (or walk) in a swing style.
  3. 2 choruses of improvisation over the backing track provided.

Audition Excerpts:

Drum Set

*Include the following in your audition recording:

  1. A performance of the selected excerpt including hits and fills as marked. 
  2. A performance demonstration of playing time and soloing in the following three styles: Medium Swing, Fast Swing, Fast Samba.

Audition Excerpts:

audition/nomination form

Results will be posted on December 5.

Submit Audition/Nomination

Ensemble Fees

 

Audition Fee

There are NO audition fees associated with the All-Collegiate Ensemble(s) selection Process.

 


participation Fee

 

The cost of participation is $175.00 per student.

  • The Participation Fee will cover conference registration and housing.
  • Student lodging is reserved for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the conference.
  • There are NO refunds after payment is collected.

    NOTE:  The All-Collegiate Ensemble fee cannot be pro-rated if students are using alternate housing accommodations.

 

The participation fee will be due upon announcement of the All-Collegiate Jazz Roster.

2027 All-Collegiate Jazz Ensemble Clinician

 

 

Dr. Joseph L. Jefferson is an award-winning educator, performer, and Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles at St. Olaf College, where he teaches applied jazz and commercial trombone. A versatile soloist across styles, he has performed with Vanessa Williams, Sean Jones, Catherine Russell, and the Cab Calloway Orchestra. He recently led the St. Olaf Jazz Orchestra at the 2025 Midwest Clinic and has presented at the International Trombone Festival. Named a Yamaha “40 Under 40” recipient and the 2022 Ellis Marsalis Jr. Jazz Educator of the Year, Dr. Jefferson is a Yamaha Performing Artist, Jazz at Lincoln Center clinician, Essentially Ellington judge, and dedicated mentor.

Ensemble Roster

 

 

2027 Mmea all-Collegiate jazz ensemble

The 2027 MMEA All-Collegiate Jazz Ensemble Membership Roster will be available upon notification of the ensemble member selections.

 

 

Weather Contingency Policy

 

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.

Mark Your Calendar!

January 26 – january 30, 2027 * Tan-tar-a conference center

Days