2026 MMEA Fall In-Service Conference

Start the school year with repertoire that builds both musicianship and community. This reading session highlights accessible and engaging SAB and SATB selections designed to foster connection, confidence, and artistic growth in developing choirs. Participants will explore music that is pedagogically sound, culturally responsive, and immediately usable in middle school, high school, community, and collegiate settings. Whether rebuilding an ensemble, strengthening vocal independence, or cultivating a sense of belonging, these selections provide meaningful opportunities for singers to grow musically and personally. Discover repertoire that is accessible enough for success and beautiful enough to inspire singers throughout the year.

Maryland Choral Educators Association (MCEA) will host the Maryland Tenor/Bass High School Demonstration Chorus as a featured session at the Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA) Fall In-Service on Friday, October 16, 2026 in Frederick County. The chorus will include exemplary tenor and bass singers from across the state of Maryland in grades 9-12 (as of the 2026-2027 school year). Educators may nominate up to six (6) choral students. All nominated students must be members of their high school choral class or school sponsored choral ensemble. 

High School tenor and bass choral students will have the opportunity to spend the day making music with a renowned guest conductor and other enthusiastic student musicians. The session will be programmed with diverse literature for lower voices and will focus on aspects of the rehearsal process including warm-ups, vocal technique and intonation, rehearsal techniques for the large chorus, recruitment, time management, and rehearsal pacing. At the conclusion, the ensemble will perform for conference attendees, family, and friends.

Date, Location, Schedule

• Date - Friday, October 16, 2026
• Location - Governor Thomas Johnson High School, Frederick County
• Student Arrival/Check In - 9:00 to 9:30am
• Rehearsal -  9:30am to 1:30pm
  
  • There will be a short breaks
  • Students remain with ensemble; bring a peanut/tree nut free snack
• Lunch Break -  1:30pm-2:00pm
  
  • Students remain with ensemble; bring a peanut/tree nut free bag lunch
• Session Preparation - 2:00pm to 2:30pm
• Session/Performance - 2:30pm*
• Student Dismissal/Pick Up - 3:15pm

 
*Family and friends are encouraged to attend the concluding performance. 

Belonging does not happen by accident; it is built through intentional choices in culture, communication, artistry, and leadership. This session will help choral directors examine the full family experience, from rehearsal arrival and concert logistics to audience engagement, volunteer culture, and traditions. Participants will leave with practical strategies for creating a chorus community where families feel known, singers feel supported, and directors are free to be present for the relationships, shared experiences, and musical moments that keep people coming back.

Explore exceptional repertoire for intermediate and advanced treble choirs. Drawing from a variety of styles and traditions, this session features carefully selected works that will challenge and inspire your singers. Discover new gems for your next concert program.

Are you a new choral director or do you have beginner-choral students in need of vocal exercises that are simple yet effective, accessible yet expansive, and usable for elementary, middle and high school choruses? Wherever you may fall, a common question you may have is “Where Do We Start?!?” In this session, we answer that question with a series of warm-ups that address vocal onset, head voice activation, ear training, vowel unification, range extensions high and low, and tongue twisters for diction and articulation. Attendees will be provided with printed descriptions of warm-up exercises and titles of recorded music.

Maryland Choral Educators Association (MCEA) will host the Maryland Tenor/Bass High School Demonstration Chorus as a featured session at the Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA) Fall In-Service on Friday, October 16, 2026 in Frederick County. The chorus will include exemplary tenor and bass singers from across the state of Maryland in grades 9-12 (as of the 2026-2027 school year). Educators may nominate up to six (6) choral students. All nominated students must be members of their high school choral class or school sponsored choral ensemble. 

High School tenor and bass choral students will have the opportunity to spend the day making music with a renowned guest conductor and other enthusiastic student musicians. The session will be programmed with diverse literature for lower voices and will focus on aspects of the rehearsal process including warm-ups, vocal technique and intonation, rehearsal techniques for the large chorus, recruitment, time management, and rehearsal pacing. At the conclusion, the ensemble will perform for conference attendees, family, and friends.

Date, Location, Schedule

• Date - Friday, October 16, 2026
• Location - Governor Thomas Johnson High School, Frederick County
• Student Arrival/Check In - 9:00 to 9:30am
• Rehearsal -  9:30am to 1:30pm
  
  • There will be a short breaks
  • Students remain with ensemble; bring a peanut/tree nut free snack
• Lunch Break -  1:30pm-2:00pm
  
  • Students remain with ensemble; bring a peanut/tree nut free bag lunch
• Session Preparation - 2:00pm to 2:30pm
• Session/Performance - 2:30pm*
• Student Dismissal/Pick Up - 3:15pm

 
*Family and friends are encouraged to attend the concluding performance. 

Maryland Choral Educators Association (MCEA) will host the Maryland Tenor/Bass High School Demonstration Chorus as a featured session at the Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA) Fall In-Service on Friday, October 16, 2026 in Frederick County. The chorus will include exemplary tenor and bass singers from across the state of Maryland in grades 9-12 (as of the 2026-2027 school year). Educators may nominate up to six (6) choral students. All nominated students must be members of their high school choral class or school sponsored choral ensemble. 

High School tenor and bass choral students will have the opportunity to spend the day making music with a renowned guest conductor and other enthusiastic student musicians. The session will be programmed with diverse literature for lower voices and will focus on aspects of the rehearsal process including warm-ups, vocal technique and intonation, rehearsal techniques for the large chorus, recruitment, time management, and rehearsal pacing. At the conclusion, the ensemble will perform for conference attendees, family, and friends.

Date, Location, Schedule

• Date - Friday, October 16, 2026
• Location - Governor Thomas Johnson High School, Frederick County
• Student Arrival/Check In - 9:00 to 9:30am
• Rehearsal -  9:30am to 1:30pm
  
  • There will be a short breaks
  • Students remain with ensemble; bring a peanut/tree nut free snack
• Lunch Break -  1:30pm-2:00pm
  
  • Students remain with ensemble; bring a peanut/tree nut free bag lunch
• Session Preparation - 2:00pm to 2:30pm
• Session/Performance - 2:30pm*
• Student Dismissal/Pick Up - 3:15pm

 
*Family and friends are encouraged to attend the concluding performance.