Student music festivals bring together talented young people who want to display their talents and hone their skills. There are many of these events around the United States available to young music enthusiasts.
Here is a sampling of student music festivals and what they offer:
63rd Annual Fall Fantasy Parades
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Over 140 high school and college marching bands participate in a parade at Kennywood Amusement Park to celebrate the approaching arrival of autumn. This festival is Aug. 7-21 and 25-26, 2012. Parades are scheduled nightly.
Windy City Youth Choral Festival
Photo Credit: Music Celebrations International
Treble youth choirs are invited to participate in the fifth annual Windy City Youth Choral Festival from June 27 to June 30, 2013. Student groups will sing as individual choirs and with other groups in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. Choirs will start their performance by singing “Dixit Dominus” and conclude with “Homeland.”
The Disney Honors
Orlando, Florida
The Disney Honors gives instrumental and vocal ensembles a non-competitive experience to showcase their talents to a panel of evaluators at Walt Disney World Resort from February 28 to March 3, 2013. Students perform at the Linda Chapin Theater and are given 30 minutes for warm-up and 30 minutes to perform. Afterwards, evaluators give written and recorded feedback to students. Also included in the festival are clinics and guest speakers.
2013 Music for All National Festival
Indianapolis, Indiana
Since 1992 this festival has attracted concert bands, percussion ensembles and orchestras. Directors can select their own programs. The festival (March 14-16, 2013) fosters a non-competitive atmosphere. Instead of emphasizing rating or placing, the festival strives for innovation and musical growth.
2013 New York Choral Festival
High school and college choirs will perform from March 30 to April 3, 2013 at Carnegie Hall. It will be the festival’s 13th year. The festival is arranged by World Projects and includes activities such as a festival dinner cruise along the Hudson River, four nights of accommodation in New York and performance exchange at a local church. The panel of judges will give groups an unlimited number of gold, silver or bronze awards based on their performance level.
OrlandoFest
Orlando, Florida
OrlandoFest gives middle, junior and high school students the opportunity to perform in a feature venue. OrlandoFest is offered on select weekends from March to June. It is open to all concert bands, concert choirs, jazz ensembles, marching (parade) bands, orchestras, symphonies, show choirs and auxiliary units. The festival gives directors an option of non-competitive or competitive performance evaluations for the groups.
Bands of America
Bands of America offers high school students national championship and regional championships. Bands of America Super Regional Championships are two-day events that accommodate up to 60 bands each. In 2012, it offers four super regionals. On Oct. 19-20 a festival will be held in Indianapolis and St. Louis. On Oct. 26-27 it will be held in Atlanta and Nov. 2-3 in San Antonio. After the two-day preliminary competition, approximately 12 to 14 bands will advance to the national championship.
WorldStrides Heritage Performance
WorldStrides is an educational student travel provider that offers programs around the United States to high school band, choir and orchestra students. From California to Virginia, student groups can choose from an array of choices and dates. For example, the 2013 Presidential Inauguration Festival from Jan. 17-21 includes activities such as an inaugural dance and awards dinner, and a city tour of monuments and memorials.
Six Flags St. Louis Music Festival
St. Louis, Missouri
Six Flags St. Louis Music Festival is an annual event that invites concert bands and choirs in elementary, middle and high schools to perform for competition. Band festivals are offered April 26, May 3 and May 4, 2013. Choir festival dates are May 10, May 11 and May 17, 2013. Directors may choose their own pieces for their students, who will perform in the Palace Theater, and each school will receive an evaluation. Groups that are given a superior rating will receive a plaque.
Hersheypark Choral Festival
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Elementary, middle and high school ensembles will perform at the Hershey Park Choral Festival on Oct. 20 and 27 and Nov. 3, 2012. Dates in 2013 are May 3, 10, 17 and 24. Directors can choose their own pieces. Students will perform at the Hersheypark Arena.
Music Festivals for You
Tour operators also have festival packages that take student groups to theme parks such as Denver’s Elitch Gardens and Alabama Adventure in Birmingham. For example, Music Festivals for You offers a two-day package that includes a one-night stay at a 3-star hotel, music festival competition, one day admission to the theme park, dinner and breakfast.
By Vernie Wong
