ZONE 5 colleagues - make note of Majors information! Thanks!!
What is a Festival?
The term "festival" refers to events that require preparation of music for performance.
Bi-County Festivals are events where students from all participating districts come together to rehearse and perform repertoire selected by a guest conductor for large group performance.
Solo Festival involves one place (Usually Watertown High School for our association) with many teachers from out of the area who are trained in NYSSMA adjudication seminars to listen to solo performances and give constructive feedback and a rating to students who prepare selected solo literature. These ratings are used as criteria for both Zone (Area All- State) and New York State (All- State) level festivals. Some students have the opportunity to participate in the All- Eastern Conference, which involves many states. Talk about the opportunity for upward mobility! Practice, Practice, Practice!!
A Majors Festival is an opportunity for a multi-member group, from a jazz band to a large concert band; from a smaller vocal ensemble to a large chorus to go and have their performance as a group evaluated by a panel of judges. The entire process gives feedback that can help the group's performance skills. There is a fee per group, and this year's festival is to be held on May 20th at South Jefferson.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A BI-COUNTY FESTIVAL:
Bi-County Festivals generally include a rehearsal day and another day of rehearsal/concert. The locations vary for each festival. There is an opportunity for students at the 5th -12th grade levels to perform in band and chorus each year. If your student comes home with paperwork, that means they are eligible to participate. There is a selection process. What is important for participants to know is that by signing the application form, they are making a commitment to the dates of the festival rehearsals and performance AND the work and effort it takes to be prepared. Other students were not offered this opportunity; we simply don't have space to take every deserving student. Respect the opportunity. Students should learn the repertiore and prepare BEFORE the large group rehearsal (teachers usually help with this, but students have to be at school rehearsals to get the help), and all participants are expected to be in attendance for the FULL TIME PERIOD LISTED on the application.*
* Teachers/Chairpersons please be sure this information is accurate when sending forms home. Find forms on the last link in the left hand column
With the advent of the use of cellular devices, it is also important that participating students be made aware that the use of any cellular device during a rehearsal is not acceptable. As guests in other districts, students are subject to the host district's rules, and participating directors need to make this information very clear. Chairpersons may allow use in cloistered areas during breaks only - but even that choice is discretionary. ALWAYS RESPECT THE MUSIC!!
