PMEA Events

2024 PMEA Annual In-Service Conference
April 17-20, Bayfront Convention Center, Erie

PMEA Innovations Stage
The PMEA Innovations Stage is an opportunity for PMEA members to share experiences they are providing students at the elementary, middle, high school and collegiate levels outside of the traditional PMEA Conference performance track. We’re looking for teachers to showcase innovative opportunities that engage students in meaningful music making experiences in the classroom and ensemble settings from across Pennsylvania, spanning our rural, suburban and urban areas.
Looking for ensembles that:

• Are inclusive of a diverse group of students that represent the school community
• Incorporate non-traditional instrumentation and/or unique instrument/vocal groupings
• Incorporate technology, however not required
• Involves innovative or diverse styles of music (i.e. ethnic, world, modern, etc.)

Ensemble size is limited to no more than 20 students; Selected groups will be given one, 20-minute concert.
Deadline to Submit – Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Eligibility
In an effort to involve as many ensembles as possible, an ensemble appearing on the PMEA Innovations Stage is eligible to perform once every four years (i.e. first year of eligibility for groups who performed at the 2023 Annual Conference will be the 2027 Annual Conference). *No school, organization or director may have a performance group of the same medium appear at consecutive PMEA Conferences. This applies to all ensembles appearing on any concert at the conference.

1. All Teachers submitting an application MUST BE CURRENT MEMBERS OF PMEA.
2. All groups wanting to appear on the Innovations Stage of the 2024 PMEA Annual Conference must complete the following application by the end of the day (11:59 p.m.) on Wednesday, June 7. *Please note that a Submittable account (no cost) is required in order to submit an application. (Information on creating an account can be found below these instructions.)
3. All applicants are asked to submit one or two unedited, live video submissions of the ensemble for a total time of no more than 10 minutes. The submission(s) should highlight the essence of the ensemble. Please do not include any identifying factors in the video or file name. (An excerpt of a piece (or fading out of a piece) is acceptable to fit the allotted time limit of 10 min. total.)

• Unedited shall mean NO studio enhancements, edits, or alterations of any type.
• Live video submission shall mean a complete performance of a selected work (except as noted above), whether in a rehearsal room or concert venue, with or without an audience.

4. Each application for performance must be verified by an administrator (principal or superintendent) certifying it is the intent of the group to appear on the conference program, if invited.
5. Directors of the selected groups:

• must be current members of PMEA in good standing
• must be the director of the group on the audition recording.
• who submit multiple ensembles for consideration may only have one ensemble perform at the conference.

6. Groups appearing on the Innovations Stage must be the same ensemble represented on the submission video.
7. The director of the group on the application must remain the director if the ensemble is selected.
8. All groups are reviewed on a strictly anonymous and impartial basis by panels of music educators who serve as adjudicators. No evaluations from the adjudicators will be provided for the auditioning groups.
9. Invitations to appear at the 2024 PMEA In-service Conference will be issued by September 13, 2023.

Deadline: Wednesday, June 7, 2023