What are the Performance Details for Instrumental Groups?

Following a 25 minute warm up, you proceed to the performance stage. When you take the stage, the following 45 minutes are yours in which to:

• present your selections for a panel of three esteemed music educators, who will provide recorded and written comments about your performance AND
• receive a post-performance clinic on the stage from one of the three adjudicators, with immediate and relevant constructive comments and suggestions

Our adjudication panels are designed so that there is a conductor present who has experience teaching your type of ensemble— be it strings, wind band, or jazz—ensuring that you will have a post-performance clinician who understands and can address techniques specific to your musicians.

What types of ensembles can perform?

• Concert Bands
• Full Orchestras (including winds and percussion)
• String Orchestras
• Jazz Bands
• Percussion Ensembles
• Guitar Ensembles

How are we classified?

• Junior High/Middle School
• High School

Additionally, High School ensembles choose a classification based upon repertoire grade difficulty.

• Class A: repertoire grade level 3-4
• Class AA: repertoire grade level 4+

What stage equipment is included?

We believe in making sure your stage needs are met with as much convenience to you as possible, so that you can focus on the music and not moving “stuff.” Along with basics such as chairs and stands, at our venues we include:

• Concert ensembles--Four timpani, Tuned Piano, Concert Bass Drum, Orchestra Bells, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Marimba, and Concert Chimes
• Jazz ensembles—Tuned Piano and Four Solo Microphones

Groups must bring snare drum, cymbals, sticks, mallets and small effect or Latin percussion.

Are there opportunities for marching ensembles?

YES! We can provide adjudication for Parade Bands and Indoor Percussion and Visual Ensembles at select locations. Ask us for information specific to locations.

What are the Performance Details for Choral Ensembles?

Following a 25 minute warm up, you proceed to the performance stage. When you take the stage, the following 30 minutes are yours in which to:

• present your selections for a panel of three esteemed music educators, who will provide recorded and written comments about your performance AND
• receive a post-performance clinic on the stage from one of the three adjudicators, with immediate and relevant constructive comments and suggestions

Our adjudication panels are balanced to include choral educators with experience in multiple performance genres, including men’s and women’s choirs, vocal jazz, show choir and more. This helps ensure that you will have a post-performance clinician who understands and can address techniques specific to your musicians.

What types of ensembles can perform?

• Concert Choir
• Chamber Choir (intended for smaller choirs with advanced repertoire)
• Handbell Choir
• Men’s Choir
• Women’s Choir
• Renaissance Choir (performing Renaissance Period repertoire)
• Jazz Choir (no choreography)
• Show Choir (with choreography)

How are we classified?

• Junior High/Middle School
• High School

What stage equipment is included?

We believe in making sure your stage needs are met with as much convenience to you as possible, so that you can focus on the music and not moving “stuff.”

• Concert Choral ensembles will have 3 or 4 step risers and a tuned piano
• Jazz Choirs and Show Choirs will have a tuned piano, four stage microphones, and a sound system with CD or mp3 playback capabilities

Because our festival is designed to accommodate multiple styles of vocal ensembles, platform risers for show choirs are not included. Show choirs should plan on performing in a flat-floor staging area. Because of the strict 30-minute time limit for the performance, we are unable to accommodate show choirs bringing their own platform risers, props that cannot be carried, or costume changes for their performance.