This program has been established in honor of PMEA Executive Director Emerita Margaret Bauer.
Purpose
To provide grants to qualifying PMEA members who require funding for professional development, resources, equipment, or creative projects which will enhance music instruction, student learning and forward the mission of PMEA.
Requirements
- Applicant must be a current active PMEA member and have been a member for at least one year prior to the grant request.
- Applicants must complete the application form. No incomplete forms will be considered.
- Applicants will be interviewed by the selection committee as part of the application process.
- If selected for a grant, the recipient will submit a report to the committee within thirty days of completion of the professional development or project and write an article for the PMEA News based on the results.
- If a request is denied it may resubmitted the following year. Members are eligible to apply for one grant every five years.
Funding
The maximum amount awarded for a single grant will be $1000.00. Grant money may not be used for transportation or hotel costs associated with conference attendance.
There are two main submission periods:
Fall: Submissions must be received by November 1; expect notification around December 15
Spring: Submissions must be received by April 1; expect notification around May 15
For - Pennsylvania High School Seniors who have been accepted at a college or university to major in music education. A maximum of 20 students will be chosen from the applications submitted.
Purpose - To present a series of experiences within these students’ chosen career path, in a professional setting.
Students will be making connections with their future peers and mentors, creating a support system for their career preparation, and having opportunities to discuss and reflect on all aspects of their future careers with college music education majors and professional educators.
When - Running concurrently with the 2025 PMEA Annual Conference, April 9-12 at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center. The program will begin on Wednesday evening, April 9 and conclude by lunchtime on Saturday, April 12.
Requirements--Students should be in high academic standing. Applications will be chosen based on academic achievement, participation in musical activities and courses, participation in the community and leadership experience.
Cost - $450 (includes conference registration, chaperoned housing and meals at the convention center during the event)
To be paid by sponsoring school district, or booster group, or possible scholarship from student’s TRI-M chapter or PMEA District, or individual family. A student accepted for this program, with his/her sponsoring HS director/PMEA member’s help and advice, is responsible for payment of fee.
Evidence of acceptance into a college program for music education, letters of recommendation, personal statement, copy of grades (transcript), cumulative average and class rank, and sponsorship by the PMEA HS director are required in the online application. *If a decision has not yet been made and/or the student is deciding between multiple schools, documentation should be included for each school being considered. If acceptance has not yet been received, attach proof of application to an accredited college, university or conservatory for the study of Music Education.
Application Deadline – Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Conflict of Opportunity - If a student chosen for this program also qualifies for an All-State performing ensemble, they will have the opportunity to choose which program to accept.
Questions? Please email fmehs@pmea.net
PMEA ALL STATE "AT-LARGE" ORCHESTRA – AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS
Submission Deadline: NOON (12 p.m.) Tuesday, January 21st
This application is for:
- The 1st chair player (Piccolo or Flute - if there is no dedicated Piccolo Player) from each District’s ORCHESTRA
*Please note that if the student has been selected for the Region Orchestra, they must attend in order to apply as an At-Large Instrument for All-State.
**There is no fee to submit the At-Large Orchestra Piccolo application.
The student or the director can create the account in Submittable where the application will be submitted. *Please note that a confirmation email will be sent to the email address on the Submittable account under which the application is submitted.
*Please label the audition videos as follows:
1st audition excerpt - Audition Excerpt 1
2nd audition excerpt - Audition Excerpt 2
Directors who wish to have their students (grades 10-12 only) considered for selection should:
1. Complete the application form. The Director must be a current PMEA member. All student applicants must upload a headshot photo - (ABOVE the SHOULDERS) labeled LAST NAME, FIRST NAME (i.e. Smith, John). (There is NO CHARGE for this submission however the student must be the 1st chair player of the 'At-Large" Instruments from the PMEA District Orchestra Festival.)
2. The Audition selections must be submitted online via SUBMITTABLE at the PMEA Website listed above. The audition selections must be recorded from start to finish without cuts and/or splices. Do NOT use a metronome when recording any of the audition selections. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS on how to submit EACH SELECTION are listed BELOW as well as on the SUBMITTABLE Application. ARMS, FINGERS and HEAD must be visible when submitting the application for recording. NO EAR BUDS or HEADPHONES are permitted to be used in the recording. To obtain the best audio quality, a good microphone as well as high-end computers or digital recording devices for the recording equipment are suggested. *Audition videos may be uploaded to the application (mp4 preferred) OR submitted as a link (YouTube or Vimeo files only are supported).
3. No identifying clothing may be worn (i.e. no school t-shirts, no name identification, no PMEA, NAfME All Eastern or National shirts, no PMEA Medals). Additionally, please do NOT include any identifying information in the video file name or in the contents of the recording.
4. The “Window of Opportunity” to Audition will begin following District Orchestra on Monday, January 13 and will close on Tuesday, January 21 at NOON (12 p.m.). A confirmation email will be sent to the address used to register with SUBMITTABLE. Please check your SPAM filters for any communications and also check with your IT Administrator if a school email address is used and no email is received.
5. The director is asked to view the file and verify the recorded audition is consistent with the student’s level of performance.
6. Although PMEA checks to ensure the videos play in the correct format and the file can be opened- PMEA is NOT responsible for the content repertoire of the video. Please follow the repertoire and file labeling instructions.
Tips for Recording in Submittable if uploading videos:
The total maximum video size is 400mb for one video; 800 mb for all videos submitted – the larger the video, the longer it will take to load. Mp4 videos tend to work best
Small rooms with good acoustic qualities will create the best recording
A good microphone and a good piece of recording equipment (high end computer or digital recording device) are the two things that can most improve a recording
You may also refer to this video for tips on how to prepare your audition:
For help with Submittable - contact support@submittable.com