MMEA All-State Program
The All-State Commitment & Experience

All-State is a program to develop the finest musicians and leaders among Minnesota's most accomplished high school students.

Student Attendance Policy

It is the policy of the MMEA Board of Directors that students will not be excused from attendance at All-State rehearsals, concerts, or other activities for any reason. This commitment includes both the summer camp and February appearance. Exceptions to this rule are rare and will be made only in emergency situations.

Students will be housed in dormitories on campus during the summer camp. Students must remain on campus at all times during the summer camp unless written permission is obtained from the MMEA Vice President or their designee. Students who drive to camp will be expected to turn in their keys to an MMEA or campus representative for the duration of camp.

Students will be responsible for their own housing during the February rehearsals and performance. Students are encouraged to stay with friends or relatives in the metro area.

For the February rehearsals only, students who are participating in state or national-level competitions may be allowed to miss a few hours of the Friday afternoon or Friday evening rehearsal, but the student is required to notify the MMEA office of the conflict in advance. Region, section and sub-section contests are not considered state-level competitions.

Student Expectations

Students participating in the All-State program are expected to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner. Any student failing to do so will face disciplinary action which may include loss of membership in the group.

Each All-State member will be provided with a written copy of the rules and regulations. All expectations apply to both the summer and February All-State experience unless specifically stated otherwise. The following list provides an overview of the student behavior expectations.

1. Students must prepare the assigned literature and fully participate in rehearsals, regardless of the part assigned.
2. Students must attend and be on time for all rehearsals, sectionals and other All-State activities.
3. Students must adhere to policies as established by the MSHSL regarding sexual, racial and religious harassment, and violence. Students must also adhere to the eligibility requirements regarding Chemical Use as published in the MSHSL Fine Arts Rules and Policies Manual.
4. Students and parents or guardians must complete all requested forms and make timely payments.
5. Students must remain eligible for participation in All-State through membership in the corresponding music group in their high school.

If a student(s) has any concerns or questions, s/he should approach one of the MMEA Vice Presidents, section coaches or other staff to discuss those concerns.

Fees and Financial Aid

The student participation fee for 2010-11 All-State is $475.00. This is in addition to the audition fee. The fee includes housing and meals during the summer camp, and the cost of music, rehearsal facilities, clinicians, and performance equipment for both the summer camp and the Midwinter Clinic the following February.

The MMEA Student Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 to ensure that all students have access to MMEA's high quality programs regardless of financial circumstances. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for All-State ensemble fees. All students, regardless of scholarship application status, are expected to pay an initial downpayment of $100 when accepting membership in All-State.

Information about applying for scholarships will be included with selection letters. Payment plans are also accepted.

Students who find it necessary to withdraw their membership from one of the All-State organizations must notify the MMEA Office in writing no later than three weeks prior to camp in order to receive a refund of the camp fee minus a $50.00 service charge. Refunds after that date will be pro-rated and considered on an individual basis, providing a suitable replacement can be secure.

Students who lose the key to their assigned dormitory room will be assessed a fee as determined by the college campus.

More about All-State
About All-State
Who is Eligible to Participate?
Auditions - Components, Scheduling, and Forms
How Students are Selected for the All-State Ensembles
Now You've Been Selected - What is the All-State Commitment? (current page)
History of All-State
Current Information - Letters and Links