Capitol Concert Series

Each year, the NMEA coordinates the Capitol Concert Series as part of "Music In Our Schools Month®" (MIOSM). MIOSM is officially designated by NAfME to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children and to remind citizens that schools are where all children should have access to music. Ensembles across the state are selected to perform in the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Lincoln where State Senators, along with the public, are invited to attend.

2025 CAPITOL CONCERT SERIES DATES

We are excited to continue to fill extra dates to our Capitol Concert Series!

  • Wednesday, January 15
  • Thursday, February 19* (along with Nebraskans for the Arts Hill Day)
  • Monday, March 24 - Thursday, March 27 (Music Education Week)
  • Wednesday, April 9

Each concert hour is 12:00-1:00 pm at the Capitol Building in Lincoln, NE.

*The date of the Nebraskans for the Arts Hill Day has changed.

2025 CAPITOL CONCERT SERIES APPLICATION

Applications for ensemble participation (20-minute concert) in the 2025 Capitol Concerts are currently open. The deadline has been extended to December 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Central Tim. The online application will consist of entering member and ensemble information and uploading two selections.

Apply for the Capitol Concert Series

APPLICATION GUIDELINES:

Groups who performed for the 2023 or 2024 Captiol Concert Series are NOT eligible in 2025.

  • Director must be an NMEA/NAfME member.
  • Only the ensemble that auditions (other than soloists or accompaniment chamber ensemble) may perform at Capitol Concerts.
  • Small instrumental chamber ensembles are encouraged to apply. (LARGE instrumental ensembles are not effective in the Capitol rotunda.)
  • Two good-quality selections with a variety of musical styles must be uploaded to complete the application. Files should be labeled with the ensemble/school name, but the selections should NOT identify the ensemble. (Acceptable file formats: mp3, m4a, wav.)
  • A photo of the ensemble must be uploaded and the file labeled with the ensemble/school name.
  • All travel expenses are the responsibility of the school, not NMEA.
  • All equipment needs, with the exception of a piano, will be the responsibility of the school. Specific requests may be allowed after the selection process.
  • The Nebraska State Capitol and the Capitol complex are public buildings that are used daily for the purpose of government. It is understood that the behavior of students is the responsibility of the director and chaperones.
  • NMEA is not responsible for the legislative session going past 12 noon - no groups are allowed to perform while the Legislature is in session.
  • The selection of the ensembles shall be the responsibility of a committee selected by the NMEA Executive Board. Selection will be based on equity regarding instrumental/vocal, grade level, school size and geographic location.

Past Capitol Concert Series

View archival pictures from our past Capitol Concert Series by clicking the link below.

Captiol Concert Series Archives (coming soon)