The MENC National Honor Ensembles are the newest addition to MENC's Music Education Week in Washington, D.C. and will take place June 23-29, 2010. MENC established the National Concert Band, Mixed Choir, Orchestra, and Jazz Band in answer to MENC member requests for the ultimate step of student recognition beyond state and divisional levels.

ONLY STUDENTS OF ACTIVE MENC MEMBERS MAY APPLY

Audition Deadline: November 16, 2009

The deadline for MENC members to submit National Honor Ensemble audition materials for their high school sophomores and juniors* is November 16, 2009. Members should visit www.mencevents.org now to review the audition requirements and help their students rehearse and record MP3s in time to submit their auditions by the November 16 deadline. A $20.00 administration fee will be required for each application submitted.

"It is very exciting to know that MENC will select our country's finest high school concert musicians each year to perform together and receive the national recognition they deserve for their musical accomplishments," says Barbara L. Geer, president of MENC.

Conductors for the 2010 National Honor Ensembles will be:

Concert Band - Anthony Maiello, Director of Instrumental Studies at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Mixed Choir - Andre Thomas, Director of Choral Activities at Florida State University

Orchestra - TBD

Jazz Band - Maria Schneider, Composer/Conductor

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will host the 2010 National Concert Band, Mixed Choir, and Orchestra performance while the National Jazz Band will perform as part of the MENC Jazz Academy during Music Education Week in Washington.

Only active MENC members may submit audition material for their high school sophomores or juniors* audition materials to be considered for this national recognition. (To renew membership, call 800-828-0229 or visit www.menc.org.) If a student is selected to perform in one of these prestigious National Honor Ensembles, their cost will be $699. (Transportation to Washington DC is additional.)

Full information, audition materials list, and application is online at www.mencevents.org. For Honor Ensemble information and inquiries, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 800-479-8247 and ask for Chris Meeker.

*Note: Current high school seniors are not eligible to apply because most high school graduations take place before the event dates of June 23-29, 2010 and only students associated with a high school may participate.