WMHFA Solo & Ensemble (S&E) Festival
What is S&E?
S&E is a non-competitive festival where music students can play band/orchestra instruments as a solo or with a group of 2 or more students in front of a judge who provides valuable feedback for improving and developing skills. Students do not compete with one another for a “place” (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc) but against a standard of musical excellence for a rating. WMHFA S&E is open to home schooled students in 6th-12th grades (6th-8th grades for a Clinic-only experience, and 9th-12th grades for Clinic or Honors tracks). There is also a separate Elementary S&E clinic-only experience.
Clinic track—On this track, students perform only a prepared piece for a judge. The judge gives feedback for improvement on technique and performance skills. Students receive a rating based on a standard of musical excellence. On this track, students are eligible for consideration for the Youth Arts Coalition (YAC) Honors Recital.
Honors track—On this track, students perform a prepared piece and skill-appropriate sight reading. Instrumentalists also play memorized scales. The judge gives feedback for improvement on technique and performance skills. Students receive a rating based on a standard of musical excellence. This track is for students in grades 9 and up and can make them eligible for consideration for the Youth Arts Coalition (YAC) Honors Recital, the YAC Concerto Competition, and the YAC Honors Band/Orchestra.
Why participate in S&E?
S&E is designed to help students improve their musical skills and develop confidence and independence that will translate to better performance in both large and small ensemble settings. In addition to gaining valuable feedback and performance experience, students also make connections with one another and learn as they watch each other perform.
How can I prepare for S&E?
Practice, practice, practice, and start early! WMHFA students who participate in S&E should perform their piece before the festival for a WMHFA instructor or private instructor. This is a time when students play their selected piece(s) for a knowledgeable instructor who makes suggestions to prepare the student to be critiqued by a judge who is musical expert. Practicing early and working with an instructor are valuable steps a student can take to get the most out of the S&E experience.
What about younger students?
WMHFA also offers S&E for students from the beginning level through 5th grade. Elementary S&E is a clinic-only experience, students will not be asked to perform sight reading or scales, and piano accompaniment is not required.
YAC Honors Recital
In order to be considered for participation in the YAC Honors Recital, students must meet the following minimum requirements:
Once these requirements are met, the events under consideration will be further evaluated by YAC officials, who will make the final decision to fill a predetermined number of slots for the recital. This recital will take place in the spring.
YAC Honors Band/Orchestra and Concerto Competition
In order to be considered for participation in the YAC Honors Band, Orchestra, or the YAC Concerto Competition, students must meet the following minimum requirements:
Once these requirements are met, the events under consideration will be further evaluated by YAC officials, who will make the final decision to fill a predetermined number of slots for the Honors Ensembles and Concerto Competition.
FAQ
Q: What is an “event”?
A: An event is a performance (ex. if a student plays one solo and participates in one ensemble, he will be playing two events).
Q: How many events can a student play?
A: A student can play one (1) solo per instrument with a maximum of four (4) events total (for example, one solo and 3 ensembles). Chamber ensembles do not count toward the limit of four. See individual teacher/conductor for recommendations.
Q: Who can participate in the WMHFA S&E?
A: Any home-schooled student in grades 6-12 can participate, even if they are not members of WMHFA. At this time, only WMHFA members can participate in Elementary S&E.
Q: Can high school and middle school students play together in an ensemble?
A: Yes. Any students in grades 6-12 can play in an ensemble together.
Q: How do I sign up?
A: Registration is available at https://www.wmhfa.org/solo--ensemble.html
Q: Is there a cost for participation?
A: Yes. Each solo is $15 for WMHFA students ($30 for non-WMHFA students), and ensembles are priced according to the size of the group. This information is available at https://www.wmhfa.org/solo--ensemble.html. You should also expect to pay your accompanist if one is required.
Q: When is the WMHFA S&E Festival?
A: Generally, the S&E Festival takes place on a Saturday in March. This information is available at https://www.wmhfa.org/solo--ensemble.html.
Q: How to I know if I need an accompanist, and how do I find one?
A: For students in 6th grade and above: If piano accompaniment is written for the selected piece, you will need to provide an accompanist. If you do not know an accompanist, check with your private teacher, conductor, or other parents and students who have used accompanists before. Make sure you set up several practice sessions with your accompanist before the event and be sure to consider extra payment if they are required to travel to the event. For elementary students in beginning levels-5th grade: accompaniment is welcome but is not a requirement.
Q: What should I bring to the S&E festival?
A: Instrumental students must bring the original aligned score (the purchased music) for their selected piece(s) with numbered measures for the judges, as well as a copy (also numbered) for the student to play from. If there is no original score available or if the original score is not aligned, see your conductor and allow plenty of time for one to be made, if necessary. Be sure to have your name on your music. Piano Proficiency students also need to bring their music for their Invention. All participants should dress in “Sunday best” attire or as instructed by their conductor.
Q: What piece should I play for S&E?
A: Ask your private teacher or conductor for suggestions that will compliment your skill level.
Q: When will the Festival schedule be available?
A: The schedule will be finalized approximately two (2) weeks before Festival.
Q: Can I invite my family?
A: Yes! You are encouraged to invite friends, family, private teachers, and anyone else who will be a source of support and encouragement.
S&E is a non-competitive festival where music students can play band/orchestra instruments as a solo or with a group of 2 or more students in front of a judge who provides valuable feedback for improving and developing skills. Students do not compete with one another for a “place” (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc) but against a standard of musical excellence for a rating. WMHFA S&E is open to home schooled students in 6th-12th grades (6th-8th grades for a Clinic-only experience, and 9th-12th grades for Clinic or Honors tracks). There is also a separate Elementary S&E clinic-only experience.
Clinic track—On this track, students perform only a prepared piece for a judge. The judge gives feedback for improvement on technique and performance skills. Students receive a rating based on a standard of musical excellence. On this track, students are eligible for consideration for the Youth Arts Coalition (YAC) Honors Recital.
Honors track—On this track, students perform a prepared piece and skill-appropriate sight reading. Instrumentalists also play memorized scales. The judge gives feedback for improvement on technique and performance skills. Students receive a rating based on a standard of musical excellence. This track is for students in grades 9 and up and can make them eligible for consideration for the Youth Arts Coalition (YAC) Honors Recital, the YAC Concerto Competition, and the YAC Honors Band/Orchestra.
Why participate in S&E?
S&E is designed to help students improve their musical skills and develop confidence and independence that will translate to better performance in both large and small ensemble settings. In addition to gaining valuable feedback and performance experience, students also make connections with one another and learn as they watch each other perform.
How can I prepare for S&E?
Practice, practice, practice, and start early! WMHFA students who participate in S&E should perform their piece before the festival for a WMHFA instructor or private instructor. This is a time when students play their selected piece(s) for a knowledgeable instructor who makes suggestions to prepare the student to be critiqued by a judge who is musical expert. Practicing early and working with an instructor are valuable steps a student can take to get the most out of the S&E experience.
What about younger students?
WMHFA also offers S&E for students from the beginning level through 5th grade. Elementary S&E is a clinic-only experience, students will not be asked to perform sight reading or scales, and piano accompaniment is not required.
YAC Honors Recital
In order to be considered for participation in the YAC Honors Recital, students must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Achieve a rating of one (I) in the Clinic or Honors Track at the WMHFA S&E Festival (all ensembles are Clinic Track)
- Be in 6th grade or above
Once these requirements are met, the events under consideration will be further evaluated by YAC officials, who will make the final decision to fill a predetermined number of slots for the recital. This recital will take place in the spring.
YAC Honors Band/Orchestra and Concerto Competition
In order to be considered for participation in the YAC Honors Band, Orchestra, or the YAC Concerto Competition, students must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Achieve a rating of one (I) on a Proficiency event at the WMHFA S&E Festival
- Be in 9th grade or above
Once these requirements are met, the events under consideration will be further evaluated by YAC officials, who will make the final decision to fill a predetermined number of slots for the Honors Ensembles and Concerto Competition.
FAQ
Q: What is an “event”?
A: An event is a performance (ex. if a student plays one solo and participates in one ensemble, he will be playing two events).
Q: How many events can a student play?
A: A student can play one (1) solo per instrument with a maximum of four (4) events total (for example, one solo and 3 ensembles). Chamber ensembles do not count toward the limit of four. See individual teacher/conductor for recommendations.
Q: Who can participate in the WMHFA S&E?
A: Any home-schooled student in grades 6-12 can participate, even if they are not members of WMHFA. At this time, only WMHFA members can participate in Elementary S&E.
Q: Can high school and middle school students play together in an ensemble?
A: Yes. Any students in grades 6-12 can play in an ensemble together.
Q: How do I sign up?
A: Registration is available at https://www.wmhfa.org/solo--ensemble.html
Q: Is there a cost for participation?
A: Yes. Each solo is $15 for WMHFA students ($30 for non-WMHFA students), and ensembles are priced according to the size of the group. This information is available at https://www.wmhfa.org/solo--ensemble.html. You should also expect to pay your accompanist if one is required.
Q: When is the WMHFA S&E Festival?
A: Generally, the S&E Festival takes place on a Saturday in March. This information is available at https://www.wmhfa.org/solo--ensemble.html.
Q: How to I know if I need an accompanist, and how do I find one?
A: For students in 6th grade and above: If piano accompaniment is written for the selected piece, you will need to provide an accompanist. If you do not know an accompanist, check with your private teacher, conductor, or other parents and students who have used accompanists before. Make sure you set up several practice sessions with your accompanist before the event and be sure to consider extra payment if they are required to travel to the event. For elementary students in beginning levels-5th grade: accompaniment is welcome but is not a requirement.
Q: What should I bring to the S&E festival?
A: Instrumental students must bring the original aligned score (the purchased music) for their selected piece(s) with numbered measures for the judges, as well as a copy (also numbered) for the student to play from. If there is no original score available or if the original score is not aligned, see your conductor and allow plenty of time for one to be made, if necessary. Be sure to have your name on your music. Piano Proficiency students also need to bring their music for their Invention. All participants should dress in “Sunday best” attire or as instructed by their conductor.
Q: What piece should I play for S&E?
A: Ask your private teacher or conductor for suggestions that will compliment your skill level.
Q: When will the Festival schedule be available?
A: The schedule will be finalized approximately two (2) weeks before Festival.
Q: Can I invite my family?
A: Yes! You are encouraged to invite friends, family, private teachers, and anyone else who will be a source of support and encouragement.