Howdy, Ya’ll!! Welcome to Texas, where the NFMC 2025 National Convention will be held in Austin, TX, June 10-14, 2025.

The 2025 Convention Planning Committee invites you to join us for a week of music, merriment, meals, meetings and memories. The convention will be headquartered in the beautiful Hilton Austin Airport Hotel. Located on the grounds of Bergstrom International Airport, the hotel offers a 24-hour free shuttle to the airport, indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants, and comfortable meeting rooms. Guests at this spacious hotel will be treated to comfort and convenience.

The capital of Texas, Austin is known as the cultural and economic center of central Texas. The city has a diverse mix of government employees, college students, musicians, high-tech workers and bluecollar workers. The official slogan of Austin as “the Music Capital of the World” is a reference to the city’s musicians and live music venues. Austin is the home to the long running PBS TV series “Austin City Limits,” as well as the site of South by Southwest (SXSW) an annual conglomeration of film, interactive media, and music festivals. Stay an extra day in order to visit Lady Bird Johnson’s Wildflower Center, the Bob Bullock museum, the Capital building, the University of Texas, or spend an evening on Sixth Street.

The planning committee hopes you are as excited as we are about the prospect of new Young Artist winners, who we will hear in concert on Wednesday night. 

Tuesday is gathering day and as people are arriving, there will be an opportunity throughout the day to meet with National Officers and learn more about their duties and responsibilities. Various committees will meet throughout the day and the festival chorus will hold its first rehearsal.

Hold on to your hats (cowboy, that is) for Tuesday night’s festivities. We will travel by bus to a nearby bar-be-cue restaurant, where you will enjoy a delicious, authentic Texas bar-be-cue, while humming along to country music, followed by an opportunity to learn a little line dancing. So bring your boots and join the fun. We will then board the bus for a trip to one of Austin’s most famous sights. We guarantee you will be surprised.

Wednesday will be the official opening of the convention. The 1st Cavalry Color Guard and Army Band from Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in Killeen, TX, will provide the opening. There will be workshops, meetings, and delightful musical moments throughout. And, of course, you will be reacquainted with friends from your sister states at the regional luncheons.

As was mentioned earlier, we will wait anxiously for the announcement of the 2025 Young Artists and be amazed at their talents in recital. This is a good time to meet these talented young musicians and invite them to your state for a concert. 

Thursday will open with election of new Board Members-at-Large officers followed by more interesting workshops, division meetings and beautiful musical moments. Throughout the day you will have the opportunity to visit the exhibitors displaying their wares. Also on Thursday is the lovely Rose Fay Thomas luncheon, honoring the Rose Fay Thomas Fellows.

Thursday night we will hear the 2025 Ellis Duo pianists in concert, followed by a reception where again you will be able to meet these talented musicians and invite them to your state.

Friday night we will honor our state presidents with a formal banquet and a concert with reception to follow.

Finally, Saturday morning there will be a Memorial Breakfast remembering those who have passed away in the past year. The new board will meet and we will pack our bags, stuffed with the goodies and souvenirs we have acquired this week, say our good-byes and head for home.

The 2025 NFMC convention planning commit consists of: Lynn McNew, Chair, Deborah Freeman, Jennifer Griffin, Heidi O. Hong, Lucinda Lear, Dr. Liana Valente, Julie Watson, Naomi Sanchez, and Linda Maurhoff.