FESTIVAL DESCRIPTION

The festival involves many students and small student ensembles from around the Bay Area.  Students either perform a solo on their instrument or join forces with other students to participate in a duet, trio, quartet, quintet, or another small group type.  They perform music that is selected way in advance and practiced so that it is refined and ready to be played for a judge.  Students will play for ONE judge at the festival, who will rate the student(s) on such factors and tone, technique, phrasing, expression, dynamics, appearance (yes, you should look nice!), and selection of music.  They will rate the student on the following scale:

I - Superior Command Performance
I - Superior
II - Excellent
III - Good
IV - Fair
V - Needs Improvment

The student will receive a certificate for their performance with their rating and have the opportunity to buy a medal that corresponds to their rating.  A student who achieves a high rating has a nice showpiece for an application later on for scholarships, university entrance, and so on.

FESTIVAL TIMES AND LOCATION

This year's Solo/Ensemble Festival takes place on Saturday, March 3, 2012.  It will be located at Las Positas College in Livermore.    Peformances run from 8am-5pm, and it is NOT possible to request specific performance times due to the large numbers of performers at the festival. 

HOW TO SIGN-UP and PARTICIPATE

If you are interested in participating in this year's festival, please tell Mr. Conway no later than October 15th.  Mr. Conway will put you or your ensemble on the application and send all of this year's applicants in all at once.  Here are the steps you should take if you are going to participate:

1.  Tell Mr. Conway by October 15th that you are going to participate

2.  No later than OCTOBER 30th, have your music chosen that you/your ensemble is going to play.  If you have no idea what to play, ask Mr. Conway or your private teacher for help.  HINT:  Soloists:  Choose an etude without piano accompaniment, unless you know someone who is an expert piano player and accompanist.

3.  PRACTICE!!  Don't sign up for this unless you are serious about doing well.  You need to practice your selected music often.  It is best if you have a private teacher.  If you do, then TAKE YOUR MUSIC to the private teacher and ask them to work on it with you!  That's why they are there.

4.  ENSEMBLES:  Should practice for one hour together once a week, or at the bare minimum once every two weeks.  More is better!

5.  SOLOISTS AND ENSEMBLES:  You must meet with Mr. Conway at least 3 times before the month of February so that your progress may be charted.  Mr. Conway will also help you with your piece and give you tips and hints on what to work on.  These meetings will be scheduled by Mr. Conway during lunches, before-school, or if possible, after-school.  Schedules will be worked out with the students so that the schedule meets everyone's needs.  NOTE:  If you have a private teacher working with you, then these meetings can be reduced.

6.  PIANO ACCOMPANIST:  Do you need an accompanist?  You will need to provide your own.  Don't pick a piece of music that needs an accompanist if you don't have the ability to find one!  Mr. Conway cannot provide one for you.

7.  FINAL MEETING:  Two weeks before the Festival Date, those students participating will have a final meeting/adjudication session with Mr. Conway to assess progress and make final adjustments.

8.  PERFORM!  Students performing must wear their Concert Dress to the performance.  They must bring a copy of the music for the judge, thank the judge for listening and their comments, and be there at least 25 minutes before they perform.  Performance times, maps, and other necessities will be provided well in advance.

I know it SOUNDS like a lot of work, but the benefits are many.  The extra credit will be worth the time you put into as well.  Please email Mr. Conway at gconway@fremont.k12.ca.us or if you are interested or need more info, or just stop by and let him know!

Good luck!