Guitar

Creating the FGEA!

Bottom Line Up Front: The FGEA By-Laws are now in final draft form, and an important Zoom call will take place on Tuesday, September 9th, at 7 p.m. Elections and petition signing will occur on that call. See you Tuesday night!

We had a good and productive Zoom call this past Thursday at which, the FINAL DRAFT of the bylaws for the potentially emerging organization known as the Florida Guitar Education Association (FGEA) were read, edited and solidified. Click here for the final draft document. Several positive discussions were had, and input on language change was incorporated from several members.

Secondly, we would like to encourage ALL FLORIDA GUITAR EDUCATORS to join us on Tuesday, September 9th, for the formal enactment of these bylaws and elections for the Board of Directors. On this Zoom call, we will take nominations for board seats and then vote. This is an extremely exciting development, and it is important that your voice gets heard for the critical launch of the organization. PLEASE join us at 7pm on Tuesday, September 9th. Please see the Zoom credentials below.

Third, we need all interested guitar educators to add their names to a petition letter, which will be presented to FMEA as a part of the formal process for becoming a Council Organization under the FMEA structure. By “signing” this petition (verbally giving permission on Tuesday night at 7 pm to add your name to the letter), you are indicating to FMEA that you intend to join this organization (if approved by FMEA) as a full dues-paying member and intend to be active in the organization in the coming years. A strong number would be a convincing factor in our approval, so please consider this step.

Lastly, I would like to publicly thank the members of the bylaws writing committee for their time and expertise in creating this document. These members are: Chris Perez, Dr. Kathy Sanz, Dr. Robert Phillips, Jeremy Shepard, Samuel Ortiz, Oscar Vinson, and Daniel Cortolillo. If you know them, please say “THANKS!”

Best,
Ed Prasse

September 9, 2025, 7:00 PM Eastern Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 845 7932 0232
Passcode: 556882

All-State Guitar Ensembles

This year marks the 16th offering of the FMEA All-State High School Guitar Ensemble, AND the debut offering of the All-State Middle School Guitar Ensemble! I would like to thank the committee of dedicated guitar instructors and the FMEA Executive Board for establishing this ensemble and driving guitar instruction in Florida to even greater heights. Kudos to all!

The 2026 All-State 9-12 Guitar and 2026 All-State 7-8 Guitar audition items are available for immediate download and study. We are honored to have Dr. Kami Rowan (9-12) and William Hart Wells (7-8) leading our ensembles this year. Both conductors have chosen a challenging and varied program that will surely excite the performers and audience members alike at the January 2026 event. 

2025-2026 All-State Middle School (7th & 8th Grade) Guitar Ensemble Audition Information

2025-2026 All-State High School (9th - 12th Grade) Guitar Ensemble Audition Information

Teachers, please note the "timeline" information on page 1 of both documents, as it contains very important deadlines for August and September. If you have any questions, please contact Ed Prasse by using the Contact Us page and select "Guitar All-State or Guitar Festival Questions."

To enter your students for the auditions: Go to MPA Online and log in or create an account. On your "Profile" page, look at the Schools and Jobs box and make sure you have a Guitar "job" listed there.  If you are also a band, chorus, or orchestra director, you will need both that job and the Guitar job listed in order to submit all-state auditions for both.

MPA Online will generate an entry form that must be signed by you and your principal, an invoice, and student/parent participant contracts.  All of these must be sent along with payment to the FMEA office. 

Guitar Ensemble Festivals

The 2025 Guitar Festival has passed but we are keeping this information posted for your reference. Thank you to all participants and clinicians.  Please check back later for details about the upcoming 2026 Guitar Festivals. 

The FMEA Guitar Ensemble Festival is a day full of guitar activity, including ensemble performances from elementary, middle, and high school programs. Ensembles of all levels of experience perform for NO RATINGS and receive instant feedback in areas of technique, tone, musicality, and musical interpretation. 

2025 Festival Sites:

• February 15, 2025: University High School, Orange County, Orlando 
• February 27, 2025: Leon High School, Tallahassee
• March 8, 2025: West Port High School, Marion County, Ocala
• April 5, 2025: Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers (Canceled)

Performance Options:

• Solo: Perform one piece in a 10-minute timeslot for evaluation. $15 entry fee.
• Small Ensemble: Perform one piece in a 10-minute timeslot for evaluation. $10 per performer, maximum 8 performers
• 30-Minute Ensemble Workshop: Perform 2 pieces in a 30-minute workshop setting. $150entry fee
• 60-Minute Ensemble Workshop: Perform 3 pieces in a 60-minute workshop setting, $300 entry fee

Deadline:

Checks and signed entry forms must arrive at the FMEA office 14 days prior to the festival date of the site you choose to attend. Credit card payments are not available for the festival entry fees at this time, so please plan accordingly.  

Enter The Guitar Festival