Massachusetts District Bands, Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education
and the Massachusetts Music Educators Association
Massachusetts music teachers, music students and performing musicians are fortunate to have a strong state organization for music teachers in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA). Each year the MMEA organizes and presents instrumental and vocal concerts featuring some of the best leading middle school and high school music students in the state.
Massachusetts Central District Senior Band Audition Pieces
The audition pieces for the Massachusetts Central District Band are posted on the MA Central District Band website.
Massachusetts District Bands
With the assistance of their private music lesson teachers, MA middle school music students audition for the opportunity to perform with other outstanding students in the Massachusetts Junior District band, string orchestra, jazz band or chorus. Leading MA high school music students are afforded a similar opportunity to participate in auditions for the Massachusetts Senior District band, string orchestra, jazz band or chorus.
The Music Educators Association divides Massachusetts into five districts.
East Massachusetts is served by the MMEA Eastern District. The Massachusetts Eastern District includes the towns and cities of Acton, Bedford, Boston, Boxborough, Brookline, Cambridge, Carlisle, Concord, Dedham, Dover, Framingham, Lincoln, Littleton, Medfield, Millis, Milton, Natick, Needham, Newton, Quincy, Sherborn, Somerville, Sudbury, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, Westford, Weston and Westwood.
The center of Massachusetts is served by the MMEA Central District. The Massachusetts Central District includes the towns in Hampden County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County and Worcester County (with the exception of Petersham which is in the Western District). The Central District website has a complete list of the towns they serve.
Far North and East Massachusetts is served by the MMEA Northeastern District Their website has a helpful map which details the towns they serve.
The south east area of Massachusetts is served by the MMEA Southeastern District. Finally, West Massachusetts is served by the MMEA Western District. Each MMEA Massachusetts district has their own auditions, rehearsals and concerts at a local public school.
Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education
The Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education is dedicated to promoting and providing Jazz Education throughout the state of Massachusetts. The MAJE hosts yearly contests and festivals throughout Massachusetts. These are excellent jazz educational opportunities for all MA high school students.
Exceptional high school music students from all over MA can also audition for the Massachusetts All State Festival band, orchestra, jazz band or chorus.
New Hampshire also has an organization for music educators in the New Hampshire Music Educators Association (NHMEA). This music education association seeks to improve the quality of music teaching and learning and provide leadership in advocacy for music education in NH.
There is a good amount of competition for the available seats in all of these groups. The best music students work hard, often with their private music lesson instructors, on their solo audition pieces. Studying, practicing for and going through the audition process by itself is an excellent musical, learning experience.
The Massachusetts Music Educators Association is the MA unit of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC). The MENC is the national association for music education, providing information and resources for all music educators across the country.
See more Music Education Resources from experienced music teacher David Summer.