Alfred Music’s Ultimate Guide to Festival & Contest Season

Alfred Music’s Ultimate Guide to Festival & Contest Season

Sponsored by NAfME Corporate Member Alfred Music

Festival and contest season is an exciting yet demanding time for music educators and students. It’s an opportunity for ensembles to perform, receive constructive feedback, and grow as musicians. However, between choosing repertoire, honing technique, and managing logistics, the to-do list often feels endless. How can you best prepare to make the most of it?

Alfred Music has created The Ultimate Guide to Festival & Contest Season––an in-depth digital guide from music education experts packed with resources, repertoire ideas, preparation strategies, and more to help you and your students thrive during this busy season.

Why Preparation Matters

Festival season is about more than ratings and rankings—it’s about celebrating music and fostering lifelong skills. Thoughtful preparation ensures students feel confident, supported, and proud of their accomplishments.

1. Building Confidence
   

   A well-rehearsed ensemble performs with assurance, allowing students to focus and enjoy the experience.

2. Fostering Growth
   

   The process of preparing—tackling challenges and refining technique—is where students develop lasting skills as musicians.

3. Promoting Teamwork
   

   Festival season emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and the value of working together toward a shared goal.

4. Creating Lasting Memories
   

   A prepared ensemble can fully appreciate the excitement of performing, creating moments students will cherish for years.

5. Maximizing Feedback
   

   Thoughtful preparation helps students and educators make the most of adjudicators’ feedback, using it as a tool for future musical growth.

Preparation is essential for creating a positive and impactful festival experience. Alfred Music’s Ultimate Guide to Festival & Contest Season is designed to help teachers prepare with confidence and provide support at every stage, from preparation to the big day and beyond. With the right tools and a thoughtful approach, you can set your ensemble up for a positive, memorable, and meaningful festival experience.

What’s Inside the Guide?

Within Alfred Music’s digital guide are articles from leading music educators, including Russell Robinson, Bucky Bush, Scott Watson, Allison Russo, Pam Phillips, Robert Sheldon, and David Pope. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for every stage of festival preparation. Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find:

• Repertoire Selection: Learn how to choose music that highlights your ensemble’s strengths while challenging them to grow. Discover pieces tailored to different skill levels and ensemble types.
• Preparation Strategies: From rehearsal planning to tackling tricky passages, we provide actionable tips to ensure your group is performance-ready.
• Event Day Essentials: Master the art of staying organized on the big day, including tips for managing students, equipment, and time effectively.
• Adjudication Insights: Decode adjudicator feedback and use it to drive future growth.

Whether you’re a seasoned festival veteran or a first-time participant, this guide is tailored to meet your needs. It’s not just a collection of tips—it’s a roadmap to success. You’ll gain insights from experienced educators and discover resources to make festival season less stressful and more rewarding.

For a deeper dive into festival and contest preparation, repertoire selection, event-day strategies, and more, download Alfred Music’s Ultimate Guide to Festival & Contest Season, designed to help educators and students navigate the festival season with confidence and ease.

Download the Free Guide Here

For more resources from Alfred Music, visit the Alfred Music Blog.

About Alfred Music:
Since 1922, Alfred Music has been helping the world experience the joy of making music by producing educational, reference, pop, and performance materials for teachers, students, professionals, and hobbyists spanning every musical instrument, style, and difficulty level.

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