Invited Choir Ensembles

These requirements may be revised before March 1. Check back for updates.

Below are the requirements and application for our annual clinic/convention concert choir ensembles. Applications and recordings must be submitted online by 11:59 pm (CDT), April 1 for College/University groups, and 11:59 pm (CDT), May 1 for Middle School/High School groups.

Selected ensembles will be included on the Convention Concert Ensembles page.

Eligibility

1. The director must be an Active member of TMEA.
2. The ensemble must represent a school located in the State of Texas.
3. The director must have taught the ensemble a minimum of three years and must submit examples from at least two different academic years to be selected from 2021-22, 2022-23 or 2023-24.
   One recording must be from 2023-24 and one recording must be an A Cappella (unaccompanied) performance.
4. A choir will not be eligible if there is a change of directors between the time of entry and the time of the TMEA performance. The director must notify the State Vocal Chair if a change occurs.
5. A campus, including all ensemble types, will not be eligible to apply for the following three years after their performance at the TMEA convention.

Entry Requirements

1. Applications and recordings must be submitted online by 11:59 pm (CDT), April 1 for College/University, and 11:59 pm (CDT), May 1 for Middle School/High School.
2. Uploading recordings will take time. Start the upload process before 9 p.m. on your deadline date listed above.
3. The printed application must include the signature of the head director with the permission of the school principal.
4. The following ensembles are eligible for consideration:
   • Mixed Choir
   • Treble Choir
   • Tenor-Bass Choir
5. The following school levels are eligible:
   • Middle School
   • Junior High
   • High School Non-Varsity
   • High School Varsity
   • College
   • University
6. The following classifications are eligible:
• 1C
• 2C
• 3C
• 3B
• 1A
• 2A
• 3A
• 4A
• 5A
• 6A

Recording Requirements

1. Total time for all submissions must be no less than 10 or more than 15 minutes in length.
2. There should be no verbal identification on the performance tracks.
3. 5 recorded tracks will be uploaded for College/University submissions to TMEA through the online application process. Only 3 recorded tracks are required for MS/JH and HS submissions to TMEA through the online application process, with the option of uploading up to 5 recorded tracks.
4. At least one selection must be an A Cappella (unaccompanied) performance.
5. Submissions must be taken from a live concert recording during the 2021-22, 2022-23 or 2023-24 school years. At least two or three different academic years must be represented in the submissions and one recording must be from 2023-24.
6. List of all titles, composers, arrangers, length of tracks and dates of performances will be submitted online.
7. Acceptable recording formats for upload:
   • m4a (AAC-LC); Sample rate: 48000 Hz; Stereo; Bitrate: 256 kbps, constant
   • mp3; Sample rate: 48000 Hz; Stereo; Bitrate: 256 kbps, constant
   • WAV (Uncompressed); Sample rate: 44,100 Hz; Stereo; 16-Bit (required)
   • Recordings will not be returned.

Selection Process

1. The TMEA Vocal Division Vice President will select a Middle School and a High School panel of 3 to 5 members from around the State. (Note: Directors with submitted entries will not be allowed to serve on the adjudication panel).
2. There will be two rounds for adjudication utilizing the Invited Choirs Rubric.
• Round 1-committee will listen to and rank all submitted recordings. After tabulation of all the judges rankings a cut will be made and those choirs making the cut will advance to round 2.
• Round 2- committee will be given the recording and the submitted program of the semi-finalists choir. Each adjudicator will use the recording and the submitted program to rank the semi-finalist choirs. Once each adjudicator has completed their individual rankings of the semi-finalists, the committee will assemble for open discussion and determine a final ranking to be submitted to the Vocal Division Vice-President.
3. An effort will be made to include ensembles from as many classifications and geographic locations as possible.
4. Because this is not a competition, no written comments, rubrics or point totals will be provided to the applicants.

Acknowledgement

1. The State Vocal Chair will personally notify the college/university choirs invited to perform for the convention by April 17.
2. The middle and high school choirs invited to perform for the convention will be posted on the TMEA website by May 22.

Application

1. Online application process will open March 1. Application button will appear below.
2. The online application form must be printed and include the signature of the head director of the program.
3. Conductor and choir bios (125 words each) must be included in the application.
4. A proposed program for performance for the TMEA 2025 conference must be included in the application.
• Include title, composer, and approximate performance time in minutes and seconds.
• College/University - The total program time may not exceed 35 minutes including entrance, exit, and applause.
• MS/HS - The total program time may not exceed 25 minutes including entrance, exit, and applause.
• A program with a variety of styles from various eras is highly suggested.
• Only one manuscript (unpublished) piece may be included.
• The proposed program will be considered only in the second round of judging. Directors of invited ensembles are expected to maintain up to 75% the proposed program for their performance.
5. A letter from the school superintendent (or designee) for school ensembles, or music school dean for college ensembles stating the ensemble will be allowed to perform at the TMEA Convention.
6. Print and sign the application form, then digitally upload the application form to TMEA on the website application.
7. Deadline to complete the application process including the signed application and audio file uploads is 11:59 pm (CDT), April 1 for College/University, and 11:59 pm (CDT), May 1 for Middle School/High School.

Need Help?

For more information, contact the TMEA State Vocal Chair.