Orff Honor Ensemble

2026-27 Schedule
Oct. 1, 2026 – Ready to receive nominations
Nov. 19, 2026 – Online application completed. This is one week later than All-State Elementary Choir.
Dec. 10, 2026 – Application sorting completed
Dec. 17, 2026 – Website notification of accepted participants. Directors submit Participation Fee ($65 per selected student).
Participation Fee is immediately due upon notification of acceptance
Feb. 25, 2027 – Rehearsals and Performance

General Info
Participation in the KMEA Orff Honor Ensemble will be a merit-based process determined through teacher nomination using the KMEA Orff Audition Rubric. The KMEA Orff Honor Ensemble is NOT an All-State ensemble. The tentative size of the group is 65-70 students. Be sure to follow the audition process completely and meet the nomination deadline to ensure that your students can be considered. Nominated students must be part of a school vocal group during the fall and spring semesters. Students selected for the Orff Honor Ensemble will incur a participation fee.

Nominations
Nominations will be submitted in the KMEA Members portal.

Who May Nominate
The teacher who nominates students must be a member of NAfME/KMEA.
The teacher must be the general music teacher at the school where the student attends.
The teacher does NOT have to be a member of the Kansas Orff Chapter or Orff-certified.

Who May Be Nominated
Fourth and Fifth grade students whose teachers are members of of NAfME/KMEA.

*IMPORTANT NOTE:
5th grade students may audition for the KMEA All-State Elementary Choir and be nominated for the KMEA Orff Honor Ensemble. However, each student can participate in only one of those ensembles.

Teachers will…
—- teach the audition material to students.
—- use the audition material to score their students’ skills.
—- submit their students’ scores for all sections of the rubric.
—- assist with students for a shift during rehearsal if their student is selected to participate.

The KMEA Orff Honor Ensemble Chair will…
—- verify completion of nomination submissions.
—- validate disqualifying factors (ie, incomplete forms).
—- be responsible for taking questions regarding policy of the Orff Honor Ensemble.
—- generate the final roster for publication.
—- notify teachers of selected students and their assigned parts.

The KMEA Webmaster will…
—- monitor data processes during the registration timeline.
—- be responsible for primary tech support.
-— post the final roster online when it has been released.

The KMEA Payment Manager will…
—- receive and manage participation fees.

Fee Policy
— The Participation Fee is required for each student named to the roster.
— Students who withdraw will still incur the Participation Fee.
— Alternates who are added to the roster will be charged the regular Participation Fee.
— Schools will not be allowed to register students if they carry an outstanding balance from the previous year.
* Exceptions must be approved by the KMEA Executive Council.

School Responsibilities

Each School:
1. will be eligible to enter students as determined in the rules and guidelines established by KMEA Board policies;
2. will be responsible for the supervision, conduct, and behavior of its students during the entire KMEA In-Service Workshop.
3. the director is a “member in good standing” of NAfME and KMEA.

Repertoire
Teachers MUST have their own copies of the following books:

— Orff, C., & Keetman, G. (1976). Music for children: Volume 1: Pentatonic (M. Murray, Trans.). Schott. ISBN #: 9783795795016
— Orff, C., & Keetman, G. (1976). Music for children: Volume 2: Major: Drone Bass-Triads (M. Murray, Trans.). Schott. ISBN #: 9783795795054 Keetman, Gunild.
— Rhythmische Übung. Schott, 1970. ISBN: 978-3-7957-9507-8

All pieces and arrangements will come from the above books. Upon selection of the rosters and confirmed payment, repertoire, instructions for arrangements, and assigned parts will be emailed to the teacher to disseminate to students selected to participate.

Students MUST practice and KNOW their parts before arriving at the KMEA conference for rehearsal. This will allow for rehearsal time to be fully utilized for the movement and improvisation portion.