Apply to be an OkMEA Honor Group or Foyer Group today!

Applications are due June 15, 2024

Applications will be submitted via OPUS this year!

Click here to view an application tutorial video.

OkMEA Honor and Foyer Groups

OkMEA Honor Group Concerts feature groups such as Choruses, Concert Bands, Wind Ensembles, String Orchestras, Symphonic Orchestras, Jazz Ensembles, Jazz Choirs, and Show Choirs. These concerts are held on Thursday and Friday nights of the OkMEA Conference in January.

OkMEA Foyer Group Performances feature chamber instrumental and choral ensembles such as string quartets, woodwind ensembles, percussion ensembles, and small choral ensembles. Foyer Groups perform before the OkMEA Honor Award Reception on Thursday night and before the General Assembly on Friday morning at the OkMEA Conference in January. These performances serve as background music while attendees gather for these events.

OkMEA also chooses one group to perform as the Opening Concert for the OkMEA Fall Conference in October. Both Honor Group and Foyer Group submissions are considered when choosing the group to perform.

Honor Group Application Guidelines

Please read the following guidelines before beginning your submission

Honor Group Selection Process

  • Each recording will receive anonymous adjudication by a minimum of three judges.
  • Public school recordings of choruses, bands, and orchestras will be adjudicated by college/university instructors. 
  • College/university recordings will be adjudicated by secondary public school instructors.
  • Community recordings will be adjudicated by judges in that division (i.e. community bands will be adjudicated by a band committee)..
  • The performances will be ranked 1-100. The ranking and score will remain confidential and will not be published nor revealed by the judges.
  • Entries from small high schools and junior high schools are encouraged.
  • Current OkMEA Executive Board, Chairs, and Assistant Chairs are ineligible from applying to be an Honor Group at the OkMEA Convention
  • Choices are made on the basis of audition ranking, factors of group balance, considerations of instrumental/vocal balance, and considerations of conference program balance, and performance opportunity.
  • The Vice Presidents will prepare a list of recommendations based on the judges rankings.
  • The final roster will be determined by the OkMEA Executive Board via conference call in July. 
  • All Honor Groups will be notified of selection by August 1st.

Band and Choral Divisions

  • No performing group may perform at OkMEA again within three years.
  • After having a group selected, an individual teacher may not apply to perform in the Band or Choral division within three years.
    • i.e. If Katie Robertson’s band is selected to perform in 2024, Katie may not apply in the Band Division again until the 2027 conference.
  • After having a group selected, an individual teacher is eligible to submit in the Jazz Band and/or Jazz/Show Choir Division within three years.
    • i.e. If Katie Robertson’s band is selected to perform in 2024, Katie may apply to bring her jazz band to the 2025 conference.

Jazz Band and Jazz/Show Choir Divisions

  • No performing group may perform at OkMEA again within three years.
  • After having a group selected, an individual teacher may not apply to perform in the same division within three years.
    • i.e. If Katie Robertson’s jazz band is selected to perform in 2024, Katie may not apply in the Jazz Band Division again until the 2027 conference.
  • After having a group selected, an individual teacher is eligible to submit in the Band or Choral Division within three years
    • i.e. If Katie Robertson’s jazz band is selected to perform in 2024, Katie may apply to bring her band to the 2025 conference.

Elementary and Orchestra Divisions

  • No performing group may perform at OkMEA again within two years.
  • After having a group selected, an individual teacher may not apply to perform in the same division within two years.
    • i.e. If Katie Robertson’s Orchestra is selected to perform in 2024, Katie may not apply in the orchestra division again until the 2026 conference.

Community Groups

  • Community groups will function as a sub-category within the Band, Jazz Band, Choral, Jazz/Show Choir, Elementary, and Orchestra divisions.
  • Community groups will perform on the division evening concerts.
  • Community groups will follow the guidelines outlined for their division.
  • After having a group selected, individual teachers are allowed to submit a non-community group application within three years.
    • i.e. If Katie’s Robertson’s community band is selected to perform in 2024, Katie may apply to bring her public HS band in 2025.

Recordings

  • All recordings may be from the following school years (2022-23 and 2023-24) and must be conducted by the person who would conduct the group at OkMEA. 
  • All recordings must be “live” recordings from a concert, rehearsal, or contest – no engineered virtual performances will be accepted.
  • The recording uploads must contain at least two (2) compositions of contrasting musical styles; you may upload a maximum of three (3) tracks.
  • Recorded tracks must be in mp3 format.
  • Recordings cannot include identification of the director or ensemble. Remove all spoken remarks before submitting your recordings.
    • If identifying information is included, the application will be disqualified.

Program Requirements

  • Upload a PDF list of selections performed by the group during the past three years. Include both the piece title and composer/arranger.
  • Do not include any identifying information (school, director, ensemble, etc.).
    • If identifying information is included, the application will be disqualified.
Foyer Group Application Guidelines

Please read the following guidelines before beginning your submission

Foyer Group Selection Process

  • Each recording will receive anonymous adjudication by a minimum of three judges.
  • Public school recordings will be adjudicated by college/university instructors. College/university recordings will be adjudicated by secondary public school instructors.
  • Community recordings will be adjudicated by judges in that division (i.e. community bands will be adjudicated by a band committee).
  • The performances will be ranked 1-100. The ranking and score will remain confidential and will not be published nor revealed by the judges.
  • Final choice of Foyer Groups is made by the OkMEA Executive Board via conference call.
  • Choices are made on the basis of audition ranking, factors of group balance, considerations of instrumental/vocal balance, and considerations of convention program balance, and performance opportunity.
  • Entries from all types of chamber ensembles are encouraged!
  • Current OkMEA Executive Board, Chairs, and Assistant Chairs are ineligible from applying to be a Foyer Group at the OkMEA Convention
  • Groups not associated with a school are considered a Community Group and should enter as such.

Recordings

  • All recordings may be from the following school years (2022-23 and 2023-24) and must be conducted by the person who would conduct the group at OkMEA. 
  • All recordings must be “live” recordings – no engineered virtual performances will be accepted.
  • The recording uploads must contain at least two (2) compositions of contrasting musical styles; you may upload a maximum of three (3) tracks.
  • Recorded tracks must be in mp3 format.
  • Recordings cannot include identification of the director or ensemble. Remove all spoken remarks before submitting your recordings.
    • If identifying information is included, the application will be disqualified.

Program Requirements

  • Upload a PDF list of selections performed by the group during the past three years. Include both the piece title and composer/arranger.
  • Do not include any identifying information (school, director, ensemble, etc.).
    • If identifying information is included, the application will be disqualified.

Opus Profile

To enter an Honor Group application, you will need to create an OPUS profile.
Click here to watch a tutorial video.

  1. Go to opusevent.com
  2. Go to Opus Audition on the bottom left and click audition.opusevent.com
  3. Click “create an account”
  4. Enter the information requested
  5. A pin will be sent to your email account (check your junk/spam folder)
  6. Input your pin number and fill out the address information
  7. Link your NAfME membership

Add Your Location

Once your OPUS profile is complete, go to audition.opusevent.com to complete your application. Click here to view an application tutorial video.

To submit a school/community application:

  1. Sign in to your OPUS profile.
  2. Under Select Event, you will see a place to search the events by typing in the Event Title box.
  3. Type “applications” and the OkMEA Honor Groups Applications 2023-3024 event will appear. Click Select on the right.
  4. Scroll to the bottom and click “Add a location where you work” next to START HERE
  5. Complete the requested location information using your school or community group information.

To submit a foyer group application:

  1. Sign in to your OPUS profile.
  2. Under Select Event, you will see a place to search the events by typing in the Event Title box.
  3. Type “applications” and the OkMEA Foyer Group Applications 2023-2024 event will appear. Click Select on the right.
  4. Scroll to the bottom and click “Add a location where you work” next to START HERE
  5. Complete the requested location information using your school or community group information.
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Complete the Application

Once your location is created, you are ready to complete the application. 

  1. Next to your location, click New Application.
  2. Read the Application Instructions carefully.
  3. Select a Category from the dropdown menu.
  4. Community groups will select the division that matches their ensemble type. Elementary/MS community groups will need to choose Elementary or Choral depending on how they want their application to be considered
  5. Select an Ensemble Type from the dropdown menu.
  6. Please read carefully and make sure you are selecting the correct type.
  7. Complete all required fields.
  8. Upload at least two recordings; you may upload an optional third recordings for consideration.

Notification Process

Applications are due Wednesday, June 15.

  1. Honor Groups and Foyer Groups will be notified by August 1.
  2. Selected Honor Group and Foyer Group directors will be responsible for completing the Honor Group Information form by October 15.
  3. Start preparing the information for this form as soon as your group is accepted. The form includes a list of repertoire (and timings), ensemble seating chart, administration information for press releases, a picture of your ensemble, and a copy of the program.
  4. Schedule your Honor Group picture as soon as you are accepted so you will be ready by October 15 to submit your form.
  5. Information gathered on this form is used to send press releases to your school administration, create social media advertising for the conference, and in print materials for the conference.