2026 IMEA ELEMENTARY and MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH 

ALL-STATE HONOR CHOIR INFORMATION 

Since 1990, IMEA has proudly sponsored both an elementary and a middle school honor choir. Students attending Circle the State with Song Area Festivals are eligible to audition for these prestigious All-State Honor Choirs. Comprising approximately 150 singers each, these choirs are carefully selected based on teacher recommendations and auditions. Our aim is to assemble a well-balanced ensemble from participants across all 12 area CSWS Festivals.

Registration deadline is October 8, 2025.

2026 Honor Choir Audition Packet

Please review the honor choir audition packet thoroughly. Auditions will be recorded along with the audition tracks provided, and submitted online through this site. Audition instructions must be followed exactly to ensure auditions will be accepted.

Dates: January 15-16, 2026

Performance: January 16, 2026

Performance Location: Fort Wayne Embassy Theatre, Fort Wayne, IN

2026 Elementary Honor Choir Audition Track

2026 Middle School Honor Choir Audition Tracks

Honor Choir Auditions are OPEN for 2026.

Honor Choir Selection

Final selection will be made by the CSWS Committee during the fall of 2025. Students and teachers will be notified of the decision at that time. Rehearsal recordings for honor choir will be available on the web-site for each participating singer along with the honor choir repertoire. Please read carefully, follow the instructions, and meet the deadlines as stated in the audition process. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL DISQUALIFY THE AUDITION. It is our pleasure to offer your students this quality opportunity to learn and grow musically. Thank you for your continued interest in and support of IMEA and its programs.

Fees/Scholarships

The 2025 fee for this choral experience will be $200 for students in both the Elementary Choir and Middle School Choir. This fee includes four meals, All-State music, on-line rehearsal recordings, and an overnight stay in downtown Ft. Wayne. A limited number of partial scholarships are available and will be made available after placement. Please make sure that any student whose teacher submits a Scholarship Form on their behalf understands that they are responsible for the balance of the cost, and that the full fee is to be sent pending approval of scholarship. If the scholarship is approved, a reimbursement will be provided from the IMEA office. 

 2026 Honor Choir Scholarship Application: CLICK HERE

2026 CLINICIANS

Elementary Honor Choir Clinician: Mariana Romero Serra, Accompanist: Lisa McMillen

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Mariana Romero Serra is a teacher-conductor with a global perspective shaped by international teaching experience in Colombia, Japan, and the U.S. Passionate about diverse cultures and bringing comprehensive musical experiences to all, she has served as a clinician and adjudicator at festivals worldwide, including with KPASS, AMIS, and MSVMA. She has presented at both the Michigan and National ACDA conferences and was clinician for the Region D MMEA Elementary Honors Choir.

An active composer and arranger, she has been commissioned by La Caccina, The Girl Choir of South Florida, South County High School, and Vox Venti. Mariana was awarded a graduate assistantship at Michigan State University, where she is a doctoral student in Choral Conducting and serves as conductor of the treble glee club, Viridis.

 Middle School Honor Choir Clinician: Maria Ellis, Accompanist: Betty Martens