Monday Notes, January 26, 2026

Here is to a great week as some of us dig out from a bit of a storm! I hope the return to the semester has gone well and you are looking forward to many great events and classes with your students. Below are a few reminders to help the semester go smoothly.

Please check your calendars to make sure you have the following state dates:

• April 14-15, 2026 - State Choir Contest
• April 16-18, 2026 - State Concert Band Contest
• October 24, 2026 - State Marching Contest
• January 6-9, 2027 - All-State Music Festival & In-Service Conference (UNM)
• January 21-23, 2027 - Jazz All-State (NMSU)

Please remind students to order a video or audio recording of the 2026 All-State Music Festival concerts. Follow this link to access the order form.

Have a great idea or strategy that you would like to share at the 2027 conference? Submit your proposal here and be considered for the 2027 conference. Clinics fill up quickly so act now!

If possible, plan to attend the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on January 31st to show support for Music Education in our state. Let our lawmakers see support of our important programs. The Santa Fe High School Guitar Orchestra, Capital High School Guitar Ensemble and the Cimarron and Eagle Nest Bands will be playing at noon. Don't miss it and bring a friend!

It’s time to elect a new Executive Committee. The elected members will shadow the current officers for the remainder of the year and officially assume their roles in January 2027. Please review the timeline below:

• January 26 - Membership verification (in order to vote you must have a current membership on this date)
• February 2 - Email ballots sent and voting begins
• February 14 - Voting closes
• February 16 - Election results announced

Thank you to the following candidates who have agreed to be on the ballot. We’re excited to have such a strong and dedicated group willing to serve.

PRESIDENT

Tyler North

Melissa Rice

VP COLLEGIATE

Melissa Ryan

Angela Winter

VP GENERAL MUSIC

Valerie Collins

Drew Wichman

VP GUITAR

Genevieve Leitner

Gwen-Marie Lerch

VP ORCHESTRA

Luis DeVargas

Kristen Pickens

VP CHOIR

Jhordan Granger

Anton Tan

VP BAND

Steve Iliff

Karen Padilla

VP JAZZ

Joshua Dumais

Aaron Lovato

General Music members, please follow this link and vote for your preference for the 2028 Conference. Voting will close on February 9th.

Aa you prepare for Music Performance Assessment, please remember that rubrics are posted on the website (link).