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California Music Educators Association
Central Section
Empowering educators to inspire all students through music education
2026 Festival Dates
Beginning in 2026, Kern County Schools will receive priority in Kern County Festivals. If there are openings available, then groups from Tulare County north may be accepted. The same goes for groups from Kern County wishing to participate in northern festivals.
Please contact Rob Bentley at cmeacentralsection@gmail.com for questions.
For Kern County Festivals please contact Geoffrey Ruud
FESTIVAL | DATE(S) | LOCATION | HOST | REG LINK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MS & HS Choirs in Auberry | Sierra Lutheran Church | Carly Vasquez | ||
MS & HS Bands in Porterville | Porterville HS | Clark Keele | ||
MS Bands in Visalia | Host Needed | |||
MS & HS Choirs in Porterville | Porterville HS | Josh Sutherland | ||
MS & HS Bands in Reedley | March 10 & 11 | Reedley HS | Sam Gipson | |
MS & HS Bands in Kingsburg | March 11 & 12 | Kingsburg HS | Michael Schofield | |
MS Choirs in Visalia | March 11 | 1st Presbyterian Church | Mel Carrillo | |
HS Choirs in Visalia | March 12 & 13 | 1st Presbyterian Church | Mel Carrillo | |
MS & HS Choirs in Bakersfield | March 17(MS) 18 - 19 (HS) | Bakersfield HS | Amanda Isaac | |
HS Orchestras in Bakersfield | March 12 | East Bakersfield HS | Regina Montano | |
MS Orchestras in Bakersfield | Host needed | |||
MS & HS Choirs at Reedley HS | March 12 | |||
MS & HS Choirs in Fresno | March 17 & 18 | Central East HS | Michael Ogdon | |
HS Bands in Bakersfield | March 18 & 19 | Stockdale High School | Amanda Sproul | |
MS & HS Orchestras in Tulare | March 26 & 27 | Tulare Union HS | Mario Capote | |
MS Bands in Bakersfield | March 19 & 20 | West High School | Ben Horton | |
MS & HS Bands in Merced | Golden Valley HS | Mike Vasquez | ||
MS & HS Orchestras in Fresno | April 14, 15, & 16 | Fresno HS | Beverly Moorehead | |
HS Bands in Fresno | March 24 & 25 | Washington Union HS | Robert Madrid | |
MS Bands in Fresno | April 9th & 10th | Fresno HS | Corey Reynolds | |
MS & HS Bands in Madera | March 26 & 27 | Matilda Torres HS | Ryan Dirlam | |
All Section Jazz Festival in Lemoore | April 9 & 10 or 16 & 17 | Liberty MS | Rob Bentley | |
CMEA "On The Go!" | By Reservation | You Decide | You! | |
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Welcome to the 2025
CMEA Central Section
Large Group Festivals
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You must be a NAfME/CMEA member to attend a CMEA Central Section Festival. 2025 Registration fees are $225 per ensemble, per festival. Please carefully read specific information for the festival you are registering for in the Opus registration portal. If you have not registered in Opus yet, you will be prompted to do so before continuing with registration.
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CMEA Central Section is including a Classification System for our ensembles registering for festivals. This classification helps our adjudicators and determines the level of music in the Sight-Reading room. Directors have the discretion to determine the classification under which their groups will be evaluated. Please read the descriptors to choose the classification that best fits your ensemble. The RUBRIC may also help you to decide. It is acceptable to register multiple groups within the same classification.
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All ensembles are expected to participate in the sight reading portion of the festival. Groups wishing to be considered for an overall "Unanimous Superior" rating must participate in sight reading. If a "Unanimous Superior" rating received in performance, it will be reduced to a Superior if sight reading is not attempted.The Sight-Reading rating is not included in the overall rating. The Sight-reading rating is recorded for Central Section records but never distributed to anyone. CMEA Central strives for the sight-reading experience to be positive and encouraging.
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All directors of performing ensembles must be a current member of NAfME/CMEA. You can renew or join at www.nafme.org/join
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Festival Handbook
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For further questions regarding festival policies & procedures, please contact your Festival Coordinator Rob Bentley
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