California All-State Music Education Conference

What California All-State Music Education Conference does

The California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC) is a nonprofit annual conference established in 2010 as a collaborative initiative of five California music education associations: the California Band Directors Association (CBDA), California Choral Directors Association (CCDA), California Music Educators Association (CMEA), California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA), and California Jazz (CAJ). The organization is headquartered in Sacramento, California, and operates with a small administrative team of five. CASMEC's core function is to deliver a single multi-day annual conference each January at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, offering professional development clinics, guest performances, and an exhibitor marketplace for K-12 music educators across California. The conference also administers 18 audition-based All-State Honor Ensembles spanning band, orchestra, choir, and jazz categories for junior high and high school students, conducted by nationally recognized music educators.

CASMEC generates revenue through a diversified set of fee-based streams: educator conference registrations ($40-$470 depending on membership status and timing), student All-State participation fees ($680 per student, non-refundable), exhibitor booth rentals ($695-$2,750 by configuration), tiered sponsorship packages ($2,500-$25,000+), academic credit through Sonoma State University ($80 per unit), and merchandise sales. Registration opens each August 15 with early-bird pricing through November 15, and the event runs Wednesday through Sunday in mid-January. Operational technology is limited to standard SaaS tools including Stripe for payment processing, DocuSign for student contract execution, and Zeffy for nonprofit ticketing on ancillary events. The organization does not develop proprietary software, does not have a public-facing API, and operates without disclosed funding, parent company, or institutional investors.

CASMEC's primary customer segments are California K-12 music educators and junior high and high school student musicians, with secondary segments including college students earning academic credit and music industry exhibitors/sponsors. Distribution occurs through direct online registration via casmec.org, on-site registration booths at the convention center, and partner-association channels that manage student auditions and membership outreach. The conference's strategic positioning rests on the unique governance model uniting five statewide associations, its long-running brand recognition (with Medal of Honor awards dating to 2020), and venue stability with future event dates locked through January 2031.

Name

California All-State Music Education Conference

Legal name

California All-State Music Education Conference

Website

https://casmec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CASMEC is a nonprofit annual music education conference serving California K-12 music educators and junior high and high school students, jointly organized by five statewide music education associations and held each January in Sacramento.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Education Conferences and Professional Development Events

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Training, Workshops & Certification Events (MPAGAGAJ), Professional & Certification Expos Organizers (THAHABAD)

Keywords

• Music education conferences
• Professional development clinics
• Honor music ensembles
• Music educator events
• Student music auditions

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration Fees: Revenue from educator registrations at various tiers (Early Bird Active Member, Retired Member, Collegiate Member, Non-Member, Saturday-only options).
2. Exhibitor Booth Fees: Revenue from exhibitors renting booth spaces at the conference. Pricing varies by location type: Inline ($695), Corner ($795), Island ($995), Front of Hall ($995), Solo Island ($2,750).
3. Sponsorship Packages: Three tiers: Premiere 'ROCK STAR' Sponsorship ($25,000+), Maestro Sponsorship ($10,000-$24,999), Audience Sponsorship ($2,500-$9,999).
4. Student Participation Fees: All-State Ensemble participation fee of $680 per student, non-refundable.
5. Academic Credit: 1 unit of upper division academic credit available through Sonoma State University for $80.
6. Merchandise Sales: All-State merchandise and recordings sold through the conference store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CASMEC organizes an annual multi-day in-person conference in Sacramento, CA for California K-12 music educators and students, combining professional development clinics, guest performances, an exhibitor marketplace, and an awards ceremony. The conference also administers 18 audition-based All-State Honor Ensembles across band, orchestra, choir, and jazz disciplines for junior high and high school students, with optional upper-division college credit through Sonoma State University. Revenue is generated through educator registration fees, student participation fees, exhibitor booth rentals, tiered sponsorships, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

The California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC) is a collaborative annual conference organized by five California music education associations (CBDA, CCDA, CMEA, CODA, and CAJ) that provides a unified platform for music educator professional development. The primary offerings include the annual conference with clinics and performances, 18 distinct All-State Honor Ensembles for auditioned junior high and high school students across band, orchestra, choir, and jazz categories, application systems for performing ensembles and clinic presenters, college credit programs through Sonoma State University, exhibitor booth rentals with sponsorship packages, and the CASMEC Medal of Honor recognition program. The conference operates on an annual cycle with registration opening in August and the event held in January in Sacramento, CA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CASMEC Conference Registration Annual conference registration for K-12 music educators providing access to multi-day clinics, performances, the exhibit hall, and professional development sessions. Registration tiers include Early Bird Active Member ($275), Active Member ($310), Non-Member ($470), Retired Member ($55), Collegiate Member ($40), and Saturday-only options ($195-$260).
• California All-State Honor Ensembles Auditioned honor ensembles for junior high and high school students across band, orchestra, choir, and jazz, comprising 18 distinct ensembles including Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Golden State Band, Wind Symphony, Concert Orchestra, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, SSAA, SATB, and TTBB Honor Choirs, and All-State Jazz and Vocal Jazz ensembles. Students pay a $680 non-refundable participation fee and complete contracts via DocuSign.
• Professional Development Clinics Multi-day professional development sessions led by expert clinicians covering instrumental music, choral conducting, strings, jazz education, elementary music, and music technology. Sessions are included with conference registration and form the core of the educator professional development offering.
• Conference Performances Guest performing ensemble concerts and demonstrations by selected school ensembles from across California during the annual conference, featured alongside the All-State Honor Ensembles.
• Exhibitor Booth Rentals and Sponsorships Exhibit hall booth rentals and sponsorship packages for music industry vendors. Booth configurations include Inline ($695), Corner ($795), Island ($995), Front of Hall ($995), and Solo Island ($2,750). Sponsorship tiers include Audience ($2,500-$9,999), Maestro ($10,000-$24,999), and Premiere "ROCK STAR" ($25,000+), with booth spaces, product showcase sessions, and additional benefits bundled at higher tiers.
• CASMEC Kickoff Celebration and Awards Thursday evening awards ceremony and networking event honoring CBDA, CCDA, CMEA, and CODA award recipients, including the CASMEC Medal of Honor, featuring appetizers and a no-host bar. Ticketing is handled through Zeffy.
• College Credit Program Upper division academic credit (MUS 495) offered through Sonoma State University's School of Extended Education for $80, requiring registration, attendance at 7-8 sessions (15 hours total), and submission of written summaries. Available to college and university music students and educators seeking academic credit for conference participation.
• All-State Merchandise Store Online merchandise store offering All-State recordings, ensemble photos, and Honor Musician apparel, including complimentary t-shirts for All-State participants. Recordings are produced by Soundwaves.
• CMEA Elementary Music Showcase Annual showcase featuring elementary ensembles performing on the main stage, including classroom music, guitar, percussion, ukulele, and Orff ensembles. Hosted by CMEA as part of CASMEC's conference programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18 All-State ensemble opportunities for students
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five founding partner organizations of CASMEC. CODA manages orchestra ensemble auditions and provides leadership in expanding orchestra representation.
• California Jazz (CAJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization representing jazz educators. Collaborates with CBDA on jazz ensemble programs including Junior High and High School Jazz Bands and Vocal Jazz ensembles.
• California Band Directors Association (CBDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five founding partner organizations of CASMEC. CBDA manages band ensemble auditions and provides leadership in the collaborative conference model.
• California Choral Directors Association (CCDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five founding partner organizations of CASMEC. CCDA manages choral ensemble auditions and was integrated into CASMEC through leadership efforts.
• California Music Educators Association (CMEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five founding partner organizations of CASMEC. CMEA represents music educators statewide and hosts the Elementary Music Showcase.
• Sonoma State University - School of Extended EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 1 unit of upper division academic credit (MUS 495) for conference attendance. Students earn credit by attending sessions and submitting written assignments.
• SAFE Credit Union Convention CenterminorOthersPrimary conference venue in Sacramento, CA. Located at 1401 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
• SoundwavesminorOthersRecording company that provides All-State performance recordings to participants and sells recordings during and after the conference.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA): The largest state music education association in the U.S., running an annual clinic/convention with All-State ensembles, clinics, exhibits, and performances — directly comparable in scope and structure to CASMEC but at a much larger scale.
• Midwest Clinic: An international band and orchestra conference held annually in Chicago featuring clinics, performances, and a major exhibit hall. Operates a similar professional development + exhibition model to CASMEC for music educators.
• New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA): New York's state music education association running annual All-State ensembles, evaluation festivals, and a winter conference — a direct state-level parallel to CASMEC's structure.
• Florida Music Education Association (FMEA): Florida's state music education association holding an annual conference with All-State ensembles, clinics, and exhibits — directly comparable in mission and event format.
• Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA): Illinois's state music education association running All-State ensembles and an annual professional development conference — a same-format, different-state peer to CASMEC.
• Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA): Georgia's state music education association running an annual in-service conference with All-State ensembles and clinics — a parallel state-level conference to CASMEC.

Broad incumbents

• National Association for Music Education (NAfME): The national umbrella organization for music education in the U.S., operating at the broader national level with national conferences and advocacy — overlaps with CASMEC's mission but at a different geographic and scale footprint.
• American Choral Directors Association (ACDA): A national discipline-specific association running regional and national conferences for choral directors. One of CASMEC's founding partner organizations (via CCDA) operates within this broader national ecosystem.
• Music for All (Bands of America): A national nonprofit supporting music education through festivals, championships, and events. Comparable in mission of advancing music education but operates festivals and competitions rather than a state-level professional conference.

Regional players

• Texas Bandmasters Association: Texas's band-specific association running clinics and conventions for band directors — comparable in function to one of CASMEC's discipline-specific partner organizations but operating in a different state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California All-State Music Education Conference