NEWS OF NOTE OCTOBER 2026

GMEA Members and Friends,

Welcome to October – you’ve made it through two months of school! There are many activities coming up with GMEA to help you bring out the very best in your program – please refer to the GMEA calendar and the slide show from the district meetings for more information and application deadlines.

I want to focus on a new initiative that is not on the calendar – we are beginning to roll out our GMEA support network! We have lined up an impressive group of veteran and retired teachers from all teaching areas to serve as coaches for those new to the profession. All of our CNAfME members will be contacted during their student teaching and given the opportunity to be connected with a coach from their teaching and geographic area. This program will be later expanded to include teachers in their first three years of teaching. Developing an ongoing professional relationship with someone who can serve as a coach/advocate/mentor is essential to successfully navigate those first days and years of teaching. We feel this will be a wonderful resource and we are excited to get it started!

Dr. Richard Bell

Past-Presidents Council Representative

Georgia Music Educators Association

Upcoming Deadlines and Events

OCTOBER

1 Recognition & Awards Program Nomination Forms

1 Music Educator of the Year Nominations

1 Service to Music Education Recognition Forms

1 In-Service Conference Research Poster and Session Application Deadline

5-9,12-16 All-State Jazz Ensemble District Auditions (Districts will select a date from within these two time frames)

6 All-State Band Registration and Payment Postmark Deadline

13 In-Service Conference Lobby Performing Group Application Deadline

13 Statewide Elementary Honor Chorus Registration and Payment Postmark Deadline

13 Sixth Grade Statewide Honor Chorus Registration and Payment Postmark Deadline

24 All-State Orchestra District Auditions

17-November 7 Fall Solo & Ensemble Performance Evaluations (Four Saturdays)

20 GMEA: High School Experience Application Deadline

22-24 All-State Reading Chorus Auditions (Districts may choose one date only)

27 Composition Competition Application

NOVEMBER

1 Georgia Music News Winter Issue Submission Deadline

5 Large Group Performance Evaluation Registration and Payment Postmark Deadline

7 All-State Chorus Region Auditions

7-14 All-State Jazz Ensemble Final Auditions

10 Music Tech Student Showcase Application Deadline

Click HERE to see the Full 2026-2027 GMEA Calendar.

NOMINATIONS DUE OCTOBER 1st

GMEA Distinguished Career Award

GMEA Administrative Leadership Award

GMEA Community Impact Award

GMEA Friend of Music Education Award

GMEA Music Educator of the Year Award

GMEA Volunteer of the Year Award

GMEA Young Music Educator Award

Submit a nomination here .

THANK YOU, GEORGIA MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS!

The College Tour is well underway with SIX visits already completed! We appreciate all the professors and students for inviting us to your campuses!

See you soon to all the remaining colleges on our tour!

MUSIC WILL WORKSHOPS

Want to learn more about Modern Band? Register today for the next workshop Music Will will provide for FREE online!

October 24, 11am

A message from our MIOSM Chair, SheaAaron Burns:

CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE

WABE and the Georgia Recorder have written about music education in Georgia remaining strong despite budget cuts and funding shortages.

NAfME Webinar -- October 22nd

What’s At Stake: How Proposed Federal

Cuts Could Impact Music Education

A pivotal moment for arts education advocacy is approaching. A proposed $6 billion reduction in federal education funding would have substantial consequences for school budgets. This webinar will explore current federal funding allocations supporting music and arts education and will feature a demonstration of the Ed Trust’s “FY 26 Federal Funding At Risk” tool.