THE STATE MUSIC CONTEST

In 1924 the first organization was formed to promote music in the state of Nebraska. The organization was called the “Nebraska High School Music Association”. Its purpose, as defined by the first constitution was stated as follows: “It shall be the purpose of the organization to promote school music in the state of Nebraska and administer state music competitions”. The controlling body was a Board of Control consisting of 5 members. The “Board of Control” was empowered to administer all aspects of the contest including rules, supervision, enforcement, appeals, and finances. However, the rules stated that the Board shall have absolute authority until the regular meeting of the Association. Any rules or decisions could be amended on a referendum vote by a two-thirds vote of all schools taking part in the previous contest.

The initial State Contest was held in 1924 at Lincoln High School. The early contests reflected Eastern Nebraska participation with McCook being the exception. There were no District Music Contests at this time so anyone wishing to enter was eligible to participate. The contest was divided into classes in all categories except Bands which competed in one class. Points were assigned to each category on the judging sheets and a winner was named in each category based on the total number of points. A Grand Champion, called the “All Nebraska Championship” was named each year. A trophy was awarded that could be displayed for one year and then returned the following year. It is re-contested each year and a school winning the championship three straight years retains permanent possession. The first trophy winner was the Lincoln Public Schools. B and C schools competed for a trophy called the “Sinfonia Trophy” with the same rules as the “All Championship Trophy”. Cups were awarded to those schools winning first and second place in all group events and ribbons to those winning third place. Medals were awarded contestants winning first or second in all solo events and a ribbon for third place. Scholarships in the amount of one-half of the full tuition for one year were given to the winner of each solo event by leading institutions and private studios around the state. The winner was allowed to choose a teacher from an available list.

Schools were allowed a maximum of seven events, four of which could be group events. A school having no group events could enter 7 soloists. No individual could enter as a contestant in two solo events. Each school was allowed one contestant in each solo event. The allowable group events were named each year and varied from year to year. A list of contest numbers was published each year and all soloists, small groups and large ensembles all performed the same selections. However, Bands and Orchestras were to perform a second number of their own choosing. After the contest all judges’ comments were compiled and mailed to the participating schools.

There were no District Contests, as we know them today, until 1927. There is not a lot of information regarding the District Contests and their formation. However, it is documented by program covers that a designated committee in each district organized on the district level. This committee was comprised primarily of Music Educators from the District. The contests were sponsored by a state committee similar to our Nebraska School Activities Association.

The State Music Contest became a thing of the past with the formation of the “Nebraska Music Educators Association in 1937. At the organizational meeting of NMEA in 1937 the State Contests were dropped and a District format was adopted. The minutes of this 1937 organizational meeting stated that “It was just two cumbersome to continue to run both a District and a State Contest”.