2026 All-State Middle Level String Orchestra

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Information
Conductor
Repertoire
Audition Dates
Audition Materials
Audition Information

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALL-STATE MIDDLE LEVEL STRING ORCHESTRA

What is the All-State Middle Level String Orchestra?
Strings students in seventh and eighth grades (whose teachers are NMEA members) are offered a chance to work with acclaimed conductors during the Nebraska Music Education Association Conference/Clinic. The 2026 All-State Middle Level String Orchestra will take place on Wednesday, November 18, with a final concert at 4:30 pm at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

This event is in partnership with the Nebraska Chapter of the American String Teacher's Association.

Who can attend?

  • Students attending must be registered and attending the school or home school listed on the registration
  • Students must be under the direction of an NMEA member. If you need to become a member or renew your membership, visit www.nafme.org/membership/join/.
  • Students must be in the seventh or eighth grades during the 2026-2027 school year
  • The director MUST be registered and attend the Conference with their student(s).

2026 ALL-STATE MIDDLE LEVEL STRING ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR

Dr. Blair A. Williams is Director of Professional Development for the American String Teachers Association. She has served our string teaching community in public school, higher education, civic and youth symphonies, and in the string studio for over 25 years. Her school ensembles consistently achieved superior marks at contests and festivals. Recent conducting and clinician engagements have included youth, regional, and all-city ensembles in Alaska, Kansas, Hawaii, Ohio, Oregon, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Texas. She is on the conducting staff with the Manhattan (KS) Youth Symphony and frequently performs as a freelance musician.

Her presentations and research have been accepted or presented at international, national, and regional conferences and symposia. Her research interests include: music teacher education, community music, and music teacher recruitment. She is published in International Journal of Music Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, American String Teacher, SmartMusic, and in volume 4 of Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra.

A frequent guest conductor, clinician, lecturer, and adjudicator, Dr. Williams enjoys working with and learning from teachers, musicians, and students across the country. Originally from Newton, Kansas, she holds degrees from The Ohio State University, Kansas State University, and Baylor University.

2026 ALL-STATE MIDDLE LEVEL ORCHESTRA REPERTOIRE

TITLE COMPOSER
American Landscape Soon Hee Newbold
Through Moanin' Pines Henry Thacker Burleigh
Swallowtail Salsa Angelica Salazar
Song for UhmMa Soo Han
Triumph Armond Wimberly

 

2026 ALL-STATE MIDDLE LEVEL REGISTRATION & AUDITION DATES

August 17 - September 8, 2026 Registration Opens and Closes
September 9 - September 21 @ 11:59 PM CST Website portal opens and closes for instrumental audition uploads ($10 fee per audition).
The Auditions Chair is only available for support from 8 am - 10 pm CST.
October 5 @ 11:59 PM CST Audition fee due
October 12 @ 8:00 AM CST Middle Level Ensemble Selection announced
November 2, 2026 Participation Fee is due ($50 per selected student).

 

2026 ALL-STATE MIDDLE LEVEL ORCHESTRA AUDITION MATERIALS

NMEA will utilize the services of Festival Scores to collect student auditions. Auditions will include:

  • Scales
  • Etudes Set (even year set)

1. All-State Scale Sheets (click each link to download)

Each scale sheet contains both major and minor scales.

2. All-State Etudes - Even Year Set (click each link to download)

Please note that etude sheets do not include bowings.

AUDITION INFORMATION

There will be a $10.00 audition fee for all students who audition for the 2026 All-State Middle Level Orchestra and a $50.00 participation fee for those students who are selected. Both of these fees will be invoiced through Festival Scores. Payment links will be made available there.