2025 Music for All National Festival

2025 Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha
Thursday, March 13 – Saturday, March 15, 2025

Applications and all supporting materials are due to Music for All office no later than June 5, 2024. The final deadline for Chamber ensembles is September 15, 2024. 

Below are the application requirements for the 2025 National Festival – Thursday, March 13 – Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Applications and all supporting materials are due to the Music for All office no later than June 5, 2024. The final deadline for chamber ensembles is September 15, 2024.

1. ELIGIBLE ENSEMBLES:
1.1 – BANDS AND ORCHESTRAS: Please submit an unedited audio recording of 12-20 minutes of music made during the 2023-2024 school year.
1.2 – PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES AND CHAMBER ENSEMBLES: Please submit an unedited audio recording of two or three selections/movements not to exceed 15 minutes of music made during the 2023-2024 school year.

2. AUDITION RECORDINGS AND REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS:
2.1 – Audio recordings should not only display the ensemble’s technical proficiency but also demonstrate their musical expression and artistry. You are strongly encouraged to submit a high-quality, high-fidelity recording. Remember, your ensemble’s audition performance is only as good as the quality of the recording.
2.2 – There is no required music list, but it is recommended that the music be selected from Grade IV or higher for high school ensembles and Grade III or higher for middle school ensembles. Below are previous Music for All National Festival program books available for download to use as a reference when selecting repertoire for your ensemble. education.musicforall.org/repertoire
2.3 – Recordings can be of festival performances, live concerts, or recorded for the purpose of audition.
2.4 – Submissions that exceed the time requirements may not be evaluated beyond the maximum length (20 minutes for bands and orchestras; 15 minutes for percussion ensembles and chamber ensembles).

3. RECORDING FORMAT:
3.1 – All recordings should be in stereo. Any deviation from this standard may result in a loss of sound quality.
3.2 – Do not use any type of enhancement technique or audio editing to change the quality of the live performance.
3.3 – Prepare a digital audio file as 128k mp3. Access the online application and instructions to upload your digital audio recording at festival.musicforall.org/apply.
3.4 – Suggested recording criteria for audition recording:

• • Directional microphone, not omni microphone
  • Dynamic microphone, not condenser
  • Set meters to peak at max +3
  • Microphones should be 9’ to 10’ behind conductor/ensemble, and at least 10’ above the ensemble.

3.5 – All applications are evaluated anonymously. All announcements and verbal identification of the ensemble on the submission must be omitted.

4. APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE PROTOCOLS:
4.1 – Multiple ensembles of varying types from a school may apply. Each ensemble will be evaluated independently.
4.2 – Music for All will continue to present a stage at the Music for All National Festival specifically for ensembles from schools with enrollment of 1,400 or less in grades 9-12. Applying ensembles may select consideration for this Small School Stage or select to be considered for other stages with schools of all sizes.
4.3 – Invitations may be issued to more than one ensemble from a given school based on the merit of the audition recording(s). Music for All reserves the right to schedule all Festival performances.
4.4 – If accepted, ensembles are required to be present at the Opening Session starting at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 13. Ensembles assigned Thursday performances are advised to arrive on Wednesday.

5. FEES:
5.1 – The application fee is $250 for each applicant ensemble.
5.2 – If accepted, the first 25% deposit is due by October 15, 2024 (see payment schedule on “Festival Packages” webpage).

6. ELIGIBILITY AND AUTHORIZATION:
6.1 – All participating students must be registered at the same school, percussion studio, or a feeder school.
          a. If accepted, all performers who contribute to the performance MUST be students. Special guest soloists who are not students are allowed, but may not perform on pieces for which they are not the guest soloist(s).
6.2 – The ensemble director and a school official must authorize with their signatures approval of this application, in accordance with Music for All policies. Unless the “Input Only” option is selected, by signing the application, the director and school official acknowledge that if invited to the event, the applying ensemble will participate and perform a concert. The signatures of the ensemble director and school official acknowledge acceptance of one of the event packages for the estimated number of students.
6.3 – If accepted, ensemble directors and booster representatives from invited ensembles are required to participate in four 1-hour virtual familiarization sessions during which Music for All staff and Festival coordinators will convey critical Festival participation information and answer questions. These required sessions will be scheduled to occur in August, October, December and February.

7. APPLICATION DEADLINE:
7.1 – The completed application (online application, audition recordings, application fee and administrator signatures) must be submitted by the June 5, 2024 deadline for concert bands, orchestras, and percussion ensembles; September 15, 2024 for chamber ensembles.
7.2 – Three (3) original copies of each score must be mailed to the Music for All Office, mailing address below, postmarked on/before June 5, 2024, and September 15, 2024 for chamber ensembles. Photocopies will not be accepted unless the proper documentation from the copyright holder or publisher is submitted with the score. It is best to send via certified mail and track your package.
Music for All, Inc: 39 W. Jackson Place, Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN 46225
7.3 – Once all components of your application have been received (online application with recordings and fee, administrator form, and scores), you will receive a Complete Application notification email.

8. OTHER CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE:
8.1 – If accepted, the ensemble’s signed application grants Music for All the right to use in any media the ensemble’s name, likeness, photographs, and reproduction of the performance, and the ensemble’s members for any purpose including promotion, advertising, or otherwise. For the purposes of use of these rights, the signed application (on behalf of the ensemble and its members) releases and indemnifies Music for All and its agents from all claims, liabilities, and damages that may arise from such use.
8.2 – Music for All secures permission to perform all published works and arrangements of copyrighted music that is performed. However, if a custom arrangement is created, or a new work or arrangement is commissioned, the participating ensemble must supply Music for All written permission from the copyright owner to arrange and perform such works at our Festival. Copyright information and program selection form(s), (if applicable), must be provided to Music for All by January 15, 2025.
8.3 – If an ensemble, after acceptance, plans to utilize a travel agent, that agent must work through Music for All on specifics regarding the ensemble’s itinerary. The invited ensemble agrees to utilize the Music for All Festival Package hotel and meal accommodations from Thursday night through Sunday night while the ensemble is in Indianapolis.
8.4 – Bands, orchestras, and percussion ensembles accepted for the 2025 Music for All National Festival will be notified no later than August 15, 2024. Chamber ensembles will be notified by November 1, 2024.

Please email festival@musicforall.org with questions.