MSBOA Festivals: Stevenson Instrumental Music Program
MSBOA Music Festival Information
Students in the Stevenson Instrumental Music Program typically have the opportunity to participate in a number of judged music activities (called Festivals) that are sponsored by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA).
These Festivals give students the opportunity to perform what is learned in the classroom, in the practice room, and on the marching field in front of a panel of judges that critique and provide feedback on set standards of performance.
Full band Festivals are typically held at various schools in the area and feature ensembles from across the area. Each group is judged based on their own performance and merits, not against each other.
Students that wish to challenge themselves as either a soloist or as a member of a small group or chamber ensemble have the opportunity each winter to participate in MSBOA's Solo & Ensemble Festivals. Those receiving a First Division rating at the District event have the opportunity to further challenge themselves with participation at the State Solo & Ensemble Festival.
MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festivals
- 2025 Chamber & Jr. High District Festival: Saturday, January 18
- 2025 High School District Festival: Saturday, February 1
- 2025 State Festival: Saturday, March 15
- Student Transportation: none provided
District XVI Solo & Ensemble Information
- Jan 18 Chamber & Jr. High Event schedule: TBA
- Jan 18 Chamber & Jr. High Site Map and Info: TBA
- Feb 1 High School Event schedule: TBA
- Feb 1 High School Site Map and Info: TBA
Key Information:
State Solo & Ensemble Information
- Location (March 15): To be announced
- March 15 Event Schedule: TBA
- March 15 Site Map and Info: TBA
Key Information:
Helpful Solo & Ensemble Tips
- Arrive to the school to give yourself plenty of time to find your warm up room, and to warm up properly
- Make sure that your accompanists and your ensemble members know where to meet you, and what time
- Make sure you are dressed professionally, yet comfortable enough so that you are able to perform your best
- Brass players do not stand face on with the adjudicator while you are performing. Always quarter off during performances
- Do not make excuses and learn how to take a compliment. Do not “point out” mistakes you made. Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect performance
- Always keep your emotions out of the performance room
- Avoid drinking milk or eating dairy products prior to performances for all woodwind and brass players
- Woodwinds, ALWAYS have a back up reed you have played on already with you at ALL TIMES
- Brass players, do not clean out your instrument the night before the performance. This changes the air resistance of your horn
- Brass players, have valve oil with you in the room
- Bring bottled water if you get dry mouth
- Thank the judge for listening to you after the performance
- Have fun! This is your time to show off!
Student success checklist
- You will receive your event time and section number prior to Festival. Guide stations can help direct you to your warm-up room
- Parking will be chaotic. Give yourself an extra half an hour to make sure you arrive on time and find a parking spot! Arrive no later than a full 45 minutes prior to your performance time - an hour prior is ideal!
- Introduce yourself to the director in charge of the warm-up room; Hand over your NUMBERED, MARKED, and ORIGINAL score
- Confirm your fellow ensemble members / accompanist are there
- Warm up with scales, long tones, chorales, beginnings and endings of pieces. Don't play through your full piece multiple times - this will tire you.
- When your name is called, go to your performance room with the ORIGINAL score, your music, and your instrument. You are welcome to have as few or as many people come listen as you'd like. You must ask before your record any video footage, some judges may decline
- Introduce yourself to the judge
- Tune!
- Play your piece and listen to the comments from the judge
- Thank the judge and your are finished and wait outside the room for your rating and the ORIGINAL SCORE
- Take the ORIGINAL SCORE to the next person if you are sharing (plan in advance!). This is IMPORTANT! If you are finished with the ORIGINAL SCORE, you can bring it to your director.
- Get your medal from the cafeteria and go tell your director your score!
- Congratulations! Go home and celebrate!
What to wear
- Dress clothes are important to show off your professionalism. Wear what you would wear to band concerts, church, or other special events is appropriate. School dress code DOES apply!
- No jeans, torn clothing, tennis shoes, or clothing with writing should be worn to Solo & Ensemble Festival; it is a serious event
- Remember that you are representing yourself, your director, and your school
MSBOA Band & Orchestra Festival
MSBOA State Jazz Festival
MSBOA Marching Band Festival
- 2025 District Festival: October dates to be announced
- Locations: to be announced
- Admission price: to be announced
- Student Transportation: UCS School Buses
- More info to come in the summer of 2025
Updated November 26, 2024