2026 Wisconsin State Music Conference Performing Group Application Process

Two different options exist for performing groups at the Wisconsin State Music Conference:

Performance

• Small group to moderate-sized ensemble (due to performing space limitations) performs several pieces.
• Background of piece, composer information or educational goal explained to the audience for each piece.
• 40 minutes for set up and warm up and 40 minutes of performance (including all applause, narration, and any announcements) are provided.
• Conductor is responsible for all group transportation, needs, and equipment.

Informance

• Small group to a moderate-sized ensemble (due to performing space limitations) – performs portions or examples of sections of pieces.
• Teaching technique or curriculum idea focus is shared and demonstrated.
• Process of learning is emphasized over performance of entire piece.
• Student involvement, demonstration, or explaining of process and skills learned is emphasized.
• 40 minutes of set up and warm up and 40 minutes of session (which includes student demonstrations, education goals, curriculum explanation, and other education elements) are provided.
• Session presenter/conductor is responsible for all group transportation, needs, and equipment.

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Eligibility

• The ensemble director must be a member of WMEA/NAfME.
        To become a member, visit the NAfME website at www.nafme.org/join.
• Ensemble is an Elementary, Middle School, High School or Collegiate performance ensemble.

Timeline

• Performance and Informance application forms for the 2026 Wisconsin State Music Conference are due by 11:59pm on 4/1/2026. 
  • All materials must be submitted by this date for the ensemble to be considered for the current year.  
  • Applications received after this date will be considered for the following year.
• April-May: All submissions will be auditioned anonymously by a selection committee.
  • Selections are made based on the quality of the performance, represented repertoire, presentation facets and other information provided by the applicants.
• Notification of Acceptance: May 1, 2026; Notification of Declination: May 15, 2026
  • Invitations to perform will be issued by the conference committee and sent to the director.
  • Declinations to perform will be issued by the conference committee and sent to the director.

Required Materials for the Online Application

• Recordings of three representative selections from the performing group’s repertoire. (Different pieces may be chosen for final conference performance or informance.)
  • DO NOT identify the school on the recording(s).
  • Identify date of recording and titles for all selections.
  • Upload of music file(s) during the online application is limited to 25MB. If your files will exceed this, plan to share files via a google folder. (Files can be separate or combined.)