For up-to-date information and details, please visit the full Circle the State with Song website.
Since 1990, IMEA has sponsored an elementary and a middle school honor choir. Selected students who are participating in Circle the State with Song Area Festivals will have the opportunity to audition for the Elementary and Middle School Honor Choirs. These choirs are select groups of approximately 150 singers chosen by teacher recommendation and audition. Our goal is to choose singers from each of the 12 area CSWS Festivals to fill balanced parts. Both groups will perform at the IMEA Professional Development Conference.
When: January 15-16, 2026
Where:
Embassy Theater
125 W Jefferson Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Fees/ Scholarships
The 2026 fee for this choral experience will be $200 for students in both the Elementary and Middle School Honor Choir. This fee includes four meals, Honor Choir music, online rehearsal recordings, and an overnight stay at the Hilton Hotel (Elementary Choir) and the Marriott Hotel (Middle School Choir) in downtown Fort Wayne. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. 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.
Honor Choir Selection
Final selection will be made by the CSWS Committee in early November. Students and teachers will be notified of the decision no later than mid-November. Rehearsal recordings for honor choir will be available on the website 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 may disqualify the audition.
Teacher Requirements
All directors who submit auditions must be members of NAfME/IMEA for an audition to be considered. Students of non-member teachers who submit auditions for consideration will be rejected. Remember: A student may be enrolled by a private studio or community choir director only if the student’s school does not participate in the Circle the State with Song festivals. The name of the school where the student is enrolled must be identified during the registration process.
Teachers may submit no more than eight auditions per level, per school. Please be selective. The registration must be filled out and auditions uploaded online by October 8, 2025.
Teachers are asked to confirm that the auditioning student(s) will be available on January 15-16, 2026, before submitting the application and audition. Teachers are also asked to submit students who understand that rooming changes will not be made after their registration in complete. Please note: All registrations will be completed by the teacher in order to be accepted to alleviate confusion regarding rooming, payment, and submission of Medical and Fee Tally Forms.
Teachers will need to teach and monitor the progress of honor choir singers from their school. Once selected, teachers will be responsible to complete the registration process online. The link to registration will be provided in the information letter the teacher will receive.
Note that absolutely no rooming assignments can be changed after applications have been received.
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.
If you have any questions regarding information or procedures, please contact the CSWS State Chair Christina Huff or your CSWS Area Coordinator.
Photography provided by: Bateman Photography
2026 Honor Choir Clinicians:
Elementary Honor Choir Clinician: Mariana Romero Serra; Accompanist: Lisa McMillen-Malott
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
Maria A. Ellis is an accomplished conductor, educator, and broadcaster whose work bridges performance, scholarship, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a vocal emphasis from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from Webster University. Ellis serves as Artistic Director of The Sheldon’s All-Star Chorus and the University of Missouri–St. Louis Voices of Jubilation Community Gospel Choir. She is also the creator and host of two award-winning radio programs , Bach and Beyoncé and American Gospel with Maria A. Ellis , broadcast on Classic 107.3, The Voice for the Arts in St. Louis. Through these platforms, she explores intersections of classical and popular traditions, as well as the cultural significance of gospel music. A sought-after clinician and conductor, Ellis has directed multiple All-State ensembles and, in 2023, made her conducting debut at Carnegie Hall. She serves as Chair of the Choral Council for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and is a member of the Board of Directors for Chorus America. Her leadership and artistry have been recognized with the 2024 UMSL Women’s Trailblazer Award and the 2025 Music Education Impact Award from Webster University . She is widely regarded for her commitment to inclusive pedagogy, artistic excellence, and the advancement of music education on both national and international stages.
Photography provided by: Bateman Photography