2025 Music for All National Festival
Presented by YamahaAudition and Application Requirements
2025 Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha
Thursday, March 13 – Saturday, March 15, 2025
The Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha, celebrates outstanding music-making by the nation’s finest high school and middle school scholastic ensembles. We have curated this page to assist with the major questions about the application process.
Please read through the FAQs and use the full Application Requirements listed below to make an informed decision about your ensemble’s participation.
If you can not adhere to the guidelines, an Input Only option is available. All applying ensembles will receive feedback on their audition recording from a panel of Music for All National Festival evaluators.
Please email festival@musicforall.org with questions.
Festival Application FAQ
When is the deadline to apply?
Full ensemble applications are due June 5, 2024.
Chamber ensemble applications are due September 15, 2024.
Honor ensemble applications are due November 1, 2024. Click HERE for more information.
2026 National Festival Applications will be available no later than March 1, 2025 and are due May 30, 2025.
What do I need to apply?
Before we can consider your application complete and ready for evaluation, you will need the following five (5) items:
- The online application, which can be found here [link to application page]
- Audition recordings, no longer than 20 minutes
- $250 Application fee
- Administrator signature form – this will be emailed directly to the administrator listed in your online application
- Three (3) original copies of each score (or photocopies with proper documentation), postmarked on/before DATE
Once you have submitted all components, you will be notified of your completed application via email.
Where do I send my scores?
Music for All, Inc
ATTN: NATIONAL FESTIVAL
39 W. Jackson Place, Suite 150
Indianapolis, IN 46225
Three (3) original copies of each score must be mailed to the Music for All Office, postmarked on/before DATE, and DATE for chamber ensembles.
Photocopies will not be accepted unless the proper documentation from the copyright holder or publisher is submitted with the score.
Your scores must be clean and not have any identifiable markings that would tie them to your ensemble.
It is best to send via certified mail and track your package.
Your scores will be sent back to you, with a tracking number, at the conclusion of the application process.
Where do I upload my recordings?
Your recordings should be uploaded with your online application. Prepare a digital audio file as 128k mp3.
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.
Should you run into any issues uploading, please email a public Google Drive or Dropbox link to festival@musicforall.org.
How do I pay the application fee?
You can pay the $250 application fee via card within your online application, or you can send a check to this address:
Music for All, Inc
ATTN: NATIONAL FESTIVAL
39 W. Jackson Place, Suite 150
Indianapolis, IN 46225
How do I know my application is complete?
You will receive an email confirming that Music for All has received all of your application items. If you believe that you have everything sent in and have not yet received an email, please reach out by phone at 800.848.2263 or email at festival@musicforall.org.
My admin has not received the administrator form. What do I do?
First, have your administrator double check that it did not end up in their SPAM/junk folder. If they still cannot find it, email us at festival@musicforall.org and we will resend the form and help troubleshoot.
If your administrator has changed, please let us know via email, so we can update your application and send the form to them.
Can I submit more than one ensemble?
Yes, you may submit multiple ensembles from the same school. Each ensemble must have its own complete application (including administrator form), and they will be evaluated separately.
What size does my ensemble need to be?
There is a minimum number is 2. Multiple ensembles of varying types from a school may apply, and each ensemble will be evaluated independently.
The Chamber Music National Festival has an ensemble restriction of 2-16 members. There is no maximum size for the National Concert Band Festival, Orchestra America National Festival, or the Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival.
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.
Is there any required repertoire?
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.
Submissions that exceed the time requirements will not be evaluated beyond the maximum length (20 minutes for bands and orchestras; 15 minutes for percussion ensembles and chamber ensembles) and must be at least 12 minutes long.
Audio recordings should not only display the ensemble’s technical proficiency but also demonstrate their musical expression and artistry.
Recordings can be of festival performances, live concerts, or recorded for the purpose of audition.
When will my references be contacted?
We ask for references on the application in case we need more information on your ensemble. Not all references are contacted, and an official recommendation letter is not needed.
Where will I be able access my audition commentary?
We use CompetitionSuite for all of our evaluation commentary. You will receive an email explaining how to log in shortly before the commentary is relased. Once it’s released, then you will have access to all the evaluators comments.
If you cannot log into CompetitionSuite or if you have questions about your commentary, please email us at festival@musicforall.org.
How do I find out if my ensemble was accepted?
All applicants are notified of their application status via email.
Accepted ensembles will receive a personalized letter from Dr. Jeremy Earnhart, President and CEO and a folder full of social media assets to share their acceptance news on social channels and in their local media.
Application Requirements
Below are the full 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.
