Popular Music Festival

This annual Festival is a series of recitals, where students perform selections that they have chosen from a wide variety of musical styles to share with their peers and the audience. It is a celebration of student creativity through improvisation, as well as the enjoyment of performances of published non-classical works. All acoustic instruments and vocals are welcomed, as are combinations of instrumental groupings.

While the term “popular” generally means new, current, or top-ten music, we have expanded the meaning of the term to incorporate a large variety of selections, including folk songs, hymn tunes, “New Age” music, improvisation, method book selections, rags, jazz, video game and movie music. It is not a competitive event and is open to students of any interested teacher. Each player receives written comments from knowledgeable adjudicators, as well as a medal and a certificate of participation.

Each student is allowed only one non-classical piece with a suggested three-minute time limit. The student must provide an original score for the evaluators. The music need not be memorized.

Teachers register their students online. Teachers must be logged in to view the Student Registration Instructions below and to access the registration form.

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