MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival
DEADLINE to REGISTER: Friday, October 18, 2024
Date of Festival: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Location: Franklin High School, Livonia
Entry fees are as follows:
$15 per solo (including piano solos)
$10 per each ensemble member (ex. Total fee for trio is $30)
ATTENTION: ARTHURS PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE HERE.
What is the MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival?
The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) Solo & Ensemble Festival is a unique opportunity for middle and high school musicians to perform as soloists or in small groups (ensembles) in front of professional judges. Unlike large ensemble performances, this festival allows individual students and small groups to showcase their talents, improve their musicianship, and receive personalized feedback from expert adjudicators.
The festival is divided into:
• District Solo & Ensemble Festival: Local events where students perform and receive ratings.
• State Solo & Ensemble Festival: For high school students who qualify with superior performances at the district level.
Why Participate?
Participation in the MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival offers several benefits:
• Personal Growth: Performing as a soloist or in a small group gives students the chance to develop independence, technical skills, and confidence in their playing.
• Personalized Feedback: Each performance is evaluated by an expert judge, who provides detailed written and verbal feedback to help students improve their technique, musicality, and overall performance.
• Musicianship Development: Preparing for the festival requires focused practice, which enhances skills like tone production, articulation, phrasing, and expression.
• Recognition: Students who perform at a high level receive ratings and medals, which can be a source of pride and a strong addition to resumes or college applications.
How Does the Festival Work?
The MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival includes both solo and small group (ensemble) performances, evaluated on several criteria:
1. Solo Performances:
Students prepare and perform a solo piece, often accompanied by a piano, and are judged on factors such as tone, intonation, rhythm, technique, and expression. The chosen piece is typically selected from a list provided by the MSBOA or approved by the student’s band or orchestra director.
2. Ensemble Performances:
Small groups (duets, trios, quartets, and larger ensembles) perform together and are judged similarly to soloists. The ensemble must demonstrate unity, balance, and musical interaction between players. Performances can include various instrument combinations, such as woodwind, brass, percussion, or string ensembles.
Evaluation and Rating
At the festival, students are evaluated by professional adjudicators who provide both written and verbal feedback. Performances are rated on a scale from 1 (Superior) to 5 (Poor)
• Division I (Superior): An outstanding performance with only minor issues, demonstrating excellent technical skill and musicality.
• Division II (Excellent): A high-quality performance with some minor areas for improvement.
• Division III (Good): A solid performance with noticeable areas for growth.
• Division IV (Fair): A performance with several significant issues that require attention.
• Division V (Poor): A performance that demonstrates major technical or musical difficulties.
Students who receive a Division I (Superior) rating at the district level are eligible to perform at the State Solo & Ensemble Festival (high school level only).
How to Prepare for the Festival
1. Select Your Piece:
Choose a solo or ensemble piece that showcases your strengths. Your director or private instructor can help you find a piece appropriate for your skill level and one that meets the MSBOA guidelines.
2. Practice Consistently:
Begin preparing your piece well in advance of the festival. Focus on technical challenges and musical expression. If you are performing in an ensemble, practice both individually and with your group to ensure cohesion and balance.
3. Work with an Accompanist:
If your solo piece includes piano accompaniment, rehearse regularly with your accompanist to ensure that your performance is cohesive and synchronized.
4. Listen to Feedback:
If possible, perform your piece for peers, family, or your director before the festival to receive feedback. Use their comments to make final adjustments.
Festival Timeline
• Preparation Season:
Students usually begin preparing their pieces months before the festival, often with guidance from their music teachers or private instructors.
• District Festival:
The District Solo & Ensemble Festival typically takes place in January or February. Students from each school district gather to perform, and those who receive a Division I rating may qualify for the State Festival.
• State Festival (High School Only):
The State Solo & Ensemble Festival is held in March or April and features the top-rated high school soloists and ensembles from the District Festival.
Why Solo & Ensemble is Important
The MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival is a valuable experience for young musicians. It encourages students to take responsibility for their personal musical growth, helps them refine their technical and interpretive skills, and gives them the opportunity to perform in a more intimate setting. Whether as a soloist or part of an ensemble, students learn how to collaborate, listen, and perform with confidence.
Challenge Yourself and Grow as a Musician!
The MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival is an incredible opportunity for student musicians to perform individually or in small groups, receive feedback from professional adjudicators, and gain valuable performance experience. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself as a soloist or collaborate with your peers in an ensemble, the festival provides a rewarding environment to grow and shine!
Solo & Ensemble Festival is a very important part of the music curriculum at Arthurs Middle School. The Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association (MSBOA) District XII event allows participants to perform before an adjudicator either as part of an ensemble or as a soloist. Events receive ratings from I - V, with I being the best. Each event receives written comments from the adjudicator, and often receives a mini-clinic. Medals are awarded to events which receive I or II ratings.
Students will be notified when and where their event(s) are scheduled about 14 days before the Festival. It is the student's responsibility to get to the site well in advance of their earliest performance time. Arrival at least one hour before the earliest scheduled warm-up time is encouraged.
Each soloist or ensemble must provide the judge with an ORIGINAL score (NOT A PHOTOCOPY) with each measure numbered, or no rating will be given. See MSBOA State Solo & Ensemble Festival Information and Rules for details about the original score requirements.
Students needing accompanists should contact an accompanist ASAP. Anyone may act as an accompanist. Fees for accompanists vary widely — make sure you know how much your accompanist charges. Some have one fee for rehearsals and performances, others are paid each time you meet. See MSBOA State Solo & Ensemble Festival Information and Rules for specifics about accompanists.
Each student is limited to three events. Make sure you know your performance and warm-up room numbers. All events will be called from the warm-up room approximately 30 minutes before their scheduled playing time.
Use this guide to help prepare your events for performance: SOLO & ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL PREPARATION - IMPORTANT QUESTIONS!
District Solo Application: SEDistrict12SoloApplication2425.pdf
District Ensemble Application: SEDistrict12EnsembleApplication2425.pdf