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Iowa High School Music Association
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Resources for IHSMA State Festivals Section
State Marching Band Festival
All-State Music Festival
Jazz Festivals
Commercial Music Festivals
Solo & Small Ensemble
State Large Group Festival
State Marching Band Festival
All-State Music Festival
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Jazz Festivals
State Jazz Choir Festival January 30 (South) and February 1 (North)
Commercial Music Festivals
Solo & Small Ensemble Opportunities
State Large Group Festival
Latest News and Announcements
Find the latest festival results, announcements, and emergency updates as well as press releases, policies, and schedules from IHSMA.
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Iowa’s Dr. Michael Golemo Receives NFHS National Outstanding Music Educator Award
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. The Iowa High School Music Association proudly celebrates Dr. Michael Golemo, Director of Bands at Iowa State University, on being named the 2026 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National Outstanding Music Educator Award recipient. Dr. Golemo was recognized during the NFHS Summer Meeting in Salt Lake City, where…
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The Pella Marching Dutch: Representing Iowa with Excellence, Pride, and Purpose
There are moments when a school music program represents far more than a single performance. They become ambassadors for their community, their state, and the transformative power of music education. This summer, the Pella Marching Dutch have done exactly that. The Iowa High School Music Association proudly celebrates the Pella High School Marching Band for…
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2026 Leo H. Grether Memorial Scholarship Recipient
The Iowa High School Music Association is pleased to announce Connor Kramer of Fredericksburg, Iowa, as the recipient of the 2026 Leo H. Grether Memorial Scholarship. Connor has demonstrated exceptional commitment to music, performance, leadership, and service throughout his high school career. An active performer at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, he has consistently…
Upcoming Events
State Marching Band Festival
The 2026 IHSMA State Marching Band Festival will bring high school marching bands from across Iowa together for two Saturdays of performance, achievement, and celebration of music education.
North Festival Sites: Saturday, October 10, 2026
South Festival Sites: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Bands will perform at eight festival sites across the state and receive ratings and feedback from IHSMA adjudicators. The festival provides students and directors an opportunity to showcase their work while celebrating the dedication, musicianship, and school pride found in marching band programs throughout Iowa.
Festival schedules, site information, and additional details will be available as the event approaches.
Iowa All-State Music Festival Auditions
Auditions for the 80th Annual Iowa All-State Music Festival begin in October, as students from across Iowa seek selection to the All-State Band, Chorus, and Orchestra.
Harp Audition Submissions: Friday, October 9, 2026
Piano Auditions: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
District Auditions: Saturday, October 24, 2026
All-State auditions bring together thousands of Iowa’s most accomplished high school musicians through a rigorous statewide audition process. Selected students will come together at Iowa State University for the 80th Annual Iowa All-State Music Festival, November 19–21, 2026.
Additional audition and festival information is available through the IHSMA All-State Music Festival resources.
About IHSMA
The Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) is the statewide organization dedicated to advancing music education and supporting high-quality music programs in Iowa’s secondary schools. Through educational leadership, governance, adjudication, professional learning, and a comprehensive series of festivals and auditions, IHSMA provides students and educators with opportunities to perform, grow, and achieve at the highest levels. Serving more than 370 member schools, the Association coordinates over 65,000 student performances each year through the State Solo and Ensemble Festival, Large Group Festival, State Marching Band Festival, State Jazz Band and Jazz Choir Festivals, Show Choir Festival, and the prestigious All-State Music Festival. Together, these programs uphold rigorous educational standards while celebrating the transformative impact of music education in the lives of Iowa students.
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Contact IHSMA
Contact IHSMA to learn more about our programs, policies, and music festivals.