The Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) is a federated state association of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). There are five MMEA districts in Massachusetts and Concord falls in the Eastern District (MMEA-ED) along with about 30 surrounding towns like Carlisle, Wayland, Wellesley, and Boston. Each year, the five districts hold junior and senior festivals for the most passionate ensemble students. More information about NAfME can be found here.
What is the Junior District Festival? The Eastern District Junior Festival is an extension of the school music program and is designed to offer students in public, private, and parochial schools (from roughly 30 surrounding towns) additional opportunities to rehearse and perform music literature with guest conductors in a district band, jazz band, chorus, or orchestra. Students in grades 7-9 are eligible to audition if they are enrolled in their school’s music program. We encourage (but do not require) students to take advantage of this opportunity and approach it as a learning experience, not a high-stakes audition scenario - the goal being to learn about the process, and perhaps a bit about themselves as well. Getting into the group would just be a bonus.
Permission slips to audition will likely go out in December.
Audition date: Saturday, February 1st, 2025 @ Bedford HS, transportation is provided. Snow date is Sunday, February 2nd, 2025.
Junior Festival dates: Friday and Saturday, March 7-8, 2025 @ Lincoln-Sudbury Regional HS, transportation is provided on Friday only. Snow date is Sunday, March 9, 2025.
All interested students should reach out to Mr. Halpainy with questions about the audition process and requirements. Private lessons are encouraged, but not required, for students planning to audition. IMSCC offers private lessons and workshops to help students prepare for their auditions. Some scholarships for IMSCC will be available in the fall. There are other wonderful local options available for private lessons, as well.
The repertoire list for the 2025 Junior District Festival has been posted! Here is a link to view the scales and music for any students looking to get a head start on preparation*. Each audition requires students to perform scales (memorized), an etude, and sight read.
*All copies provided are for practice only. Students planning to audition should purchase a copy to bring to the audition or borrow the school's copy, if available. The book tends to be reused each year, so it’s a good investment.
Permission slips to audition will likely go out in December.
Audition date: Saturday, February 1st, 2025 @ Bedford HS, transportation is provided. Snow date is Sunday, February 2nd, 2025.
Junior Festival dates: Friday and Saturday, March 7-8, 2025 @ Lincoln-Sudbury Regional HS, transportation is provided on Friday only. Snow date is Sunday, March 9, 2025.
All interested students should reach out to Mr. Halpainy with questions about the audition process and requirements. Private lessons are encouraged, but not required, for students planning to audition. IMSCC offers private lessons and workshops to help students prepare for their auditions. Some scholarships for IMSCC will be available in the fall. There are other wonderful local options available for private lessons, as well.
The repertoire list for the 2025 Junior District Festival has been posted! Here is a link to view the scales and music for any students looking to get a head start on preparation*. Each audition requires students to perform scales (memorized), an etude, and sight read.
*All copies provided are for practice only. Students planning to audition should purchase a copy to bring to the audition or borrow the school's copy, if available. The book tends to be reused each year, so it’s a good investment.
