What the State Band and Chorus Concert Is
The Kansas FFA State Convention Band and Chorus Concert is the showcase for the state's FFA musicians. Members chosen from chapters across Kansas come to Manhattan during state convention week, rehearse together for several days, and perform for the convention audience. The concert is held in McCain Auditorium on the Kansas State University campus, the same hall that hosts the convention's general sessions. The Kansas FFA Association runs the program.
The most recent concert was Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in McCain Auditorium, during the 98th Kansas FFA Convention. A Band and Chorus recognition followed at 6:45 p.m. in Wildcat Chambers in the K-State Student Union. The next convention is June 1-4, 2027.
Who Can Be in the Band or Chorus
- Any Kansas FFA member who wants to perform may audition.
- Applicants must be at least a high school freshman (14 years old) and no older than a college sophomore (21 years old).
- Members may apply to only one program each year, Band or Chorus.
- Typically 30 to 50 members are chosen for Band and Chorus combined, and the programs are competitive.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Apply by the March deadline. For the 2026 convention, applications were due March 25, 2026. Band and Chorus each have their own online application form.
- Arrive for rehearsal. Selected members rehearse in Manhattan starting Tuesday of convention week. In 2026, check-in and rehearsal began at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, in McCain Auditorium rooms 201 and 204, followed by afternoon rehearsals and a Band and Chorus pizza party in the McCain Loft that evening.
- Keep rehearsing. Rehearsals continued Wednesday and Thursday, including a chorus rehearsal and a band stage rehearsal in McCain Auditorium on Thursday before the concert.
- Perform. The concert is Thursday evening.
- Stay through the end. Members are expected to attend rehearsals and stay through the closing convention session on Friday. A scheduling conflict, such as a state leadership event, needs approval from the ensemble director.
Fees and What You Get
No participation fee is listed for the program. Members get a place on the convention stage, rehearsal time with the state ensembles, a recognition program after the concert, and the chance to perform at a convention that drew more than 14,300 members in 2026.
Where
McCain Auditorium, 1501 Goldstein Circle, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
Questions
Can I audition for both Band and Chorus?
No. Members may apply to only one program each year.
Can I watch from home?
Convention sessions are streamed through AcresTV.
Who do I call?
The Kansas FFA Association, 110 Umberger Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506: (785) 532-6424.
Official Links
- Kansas FFA Band & Chorus: who can audition, deadline and rehearsal dates
- Band information (PDF)
- Band application
- Chorus application
- 2026 tentative schedule (PDF)
- 98th convention schedule
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- K-State Ag Ed Speech Event
Public speaking event for Kansas FFA students on January 30, 2027 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan, hosted with K-State Agricultural Education.
- K-State Career Development Events (Kansas FFA State CDEs)
Kansas FFA state Career Development Events are scheduled for May 2-4, 2027 in Manhattan. Chapters compete in judging, evaluation and skills contests; the 2026 round was held May 3-5.
- Kansas FFA State Convention
The 99th Kansas FFA Convention is set for June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. The 2026 convention ran May 26-29 at McCain Auditorium with a theme of Cultivate. Grow Leaders. Lead Change.
- Kansas Livestock Association Convention and Trade Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were November 19-21, 2025. Cattlemen gather for the banquet and live auction, Beef Industry University, committee meetings and the membership breakfast with policy votes.
- Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 6-8, 2025 for the 107th meeting. Workshops, a tradeshow, awards banquet and a delegate vote on 2026 policy, with a keynote from the American Farm Bureau president.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.