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Are your festival events suitable for groups at all stages of musical development?
Are Private and Parochial Schools able to participate in your festivals? Is it necessary to perform music from a required music list? Are uniforms required for performance? Is a professional recording provided? Who do you utilize for adjudicators? What type of performing halls are your festivals held in? How much time do we have on stage and in the warmup room? How many selections must we play? Is sightreading required at your festivals? What equipment is provided on Stage and in the Warmup Room? Are trophies and awards given for the various ratings? Is there an Awards Ceremony where my students will be recognized for their achievement? Is there some sort of “guarantee” that we will get the type and quality of arrangements we have paid for? Do you arrange hotels, transportation, meals etc.? Can we make our own arrangements? Music Tour FAQ's |
Are your festival events suitable for groups at all stages of musical development? American Classic Music Festivals are geared for elementary, middle school/intermediate school/jr. high school, and high school groups from the most advanced to those that are in varying stages of building and development. We provide three different levels called the Progressive Performance Platforms which allow the director to select competitive or non-competitive divisions that best suit the needs of their group. The AmClass Encore Level is designed to provide an education experience filled with encouragement and focus on the development of musical methodology. It puts you the director in control of the complete experience because the choices are all yours. Music may come from any source and uniforms are not required for the Encore level. Casual dress is acceptable. Musically, this level is geared towards a non-competitive, instructional performance environment. Adjudication is by a minimum of 3 qualified adjudicators. Only Division I (Superior) and Division II (Excellent) Ratings are given and trophies are awarded for each rating. Taped and written comments are given for each performing group. The AmClass Open Level provides continued encouragement with an increased level of challenge for students. This music education experience is one of positive critique and evaluation. In order to ensure a balanced supportive critique, a minimum of 3 qualified adjudicators are used at this level. Musically, this level encourages continued growth by fair, positive evaluation as measured against an educationally appropriate standard of excellence. Music selection is at the discretion of the director. It is suggest that groups wishing to compete for “Best in Class” choose music appropriate to their group’s classification since both program difficulty and program execution are factored into this award at this level. Although most groups performing at this level dress in uniforms or concert attire, there is no dress requirement. Trophies will be awarded for Divisional Ratings I, II, III. The AmClass Premier Level (not available at Breckenridge and New Orleans Festivals) is focused on challenge and competition. It exists to meet the needs of programs that can benefit from critiques offered form the highest levels of expectation appropriate to age group and classification. Adjudication Panels will be composed of a minimum of Three Accomplished Adjudicators. Divisional trophies will be awarded for Ratings I, II, III, IV, and V. Musically, this level is one of refinement and mastery. Music selection is at the director’s discretion. At this level of performance and competition, music selection should highlight the group’s performance, a forty-five minute time slot may be requested, for 4A & 5A First Instrumental Groups only, if the actual time of performance exceeds a total of 30 minutes (a request for a 45 minute time slot must be submitted with registration for these groups). Forty-five minute Performance Times are not available at all sites. Are Private and Parochial Schools able to participate in your festivals? Absolutely. Private and Parochial Schools have the option of participating in the “Special” Classification in the Encore, Open, or Premier Divisions. Is it necessary to perform music from a required music list? Music selection is at the discretion of the director and should be designed to match the needs of the group. Music should be appropriate for the performing level and competitive preference selected by the director (see Performance Platforms above) Are uniforms required for performance? Especially at the Encore Level, casual dress is acceptable. At the Open Level there is no dress requirement, although most groups performing at this level dress in uniforms or concert attire. At the Premier Level uniforms or concert attire is appropriate and suggested. Is a professional recording provided? All American Classic Music Festival performances are professionally recorded with a complimentary CD or Tape provided to the director afterwards. Who do you utilize for adjudicators? Depending to some extent on the Performance Platform Level, Adjudicators are selected from Middle School/Jr. High, High School, or University level ensemble directors. They are carefully chosen for their ability to be positive in the critiques they provide. Encouragement to ascend to the next level of proficiency is the primary aim for the comments both written and recorded. What type of performing halls are your festivals held in? American Classic Music Festivals are held in the finest possible acoustic facilities that can be found. Many facilities are among the top quality concert halls in the country used by symphony and professional groups. When college, university, or high school halls are used they are carefully selected for their acoustical quality and for the quality of recordings they will yield. How much time do we have on stage and in the warmup room? Instrumental groups (including Jazz Ensembles) will be allowed Twenty-five (25) minutes in the warmup area and a Five (5) minute transit time to the stage. The time on stage shall be a maximum of Thirty (30) minutes which will include entrance and exit of the stage, any warmup, special tuning, breaks between movements, and time between selections. Choral performing groups will be allowed fifteen (15) minutes in the warmup area and a Five (5) minute transit time to the stage. The time on stage shall be a maximum of Twenty (20) minutes including entrance and exit of the stage, any warm-up, breaks between movements, and time between selections. How many selections must we play? The number of selections is not critical. Usually groups in the Open or Premier Levels perform 3 selections, but due to extended length of larger works often fewer movements or pieces will be necessary to accommodate the time restraints. Is sightreading required at your festivals? Due to space and time restrictions at some of the professional halls, sightreading is not practical and therefore not offered. What equipment is provided on Stage and in the Warmup Room? For instrumental groups chairs, music stands both on state and in the warmup areas. Director’s podium, acoustic piano, chimes, xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, bells, four tympani, and concert bass drum will be available on the stage area only. Directors must assume responsibility for bringing all necessary sticks, mallets, and any other needed equipment not specifically listed above. Tuning machines are “not” provided. Risers are available only at selected sites. Jazz Ensembles will be provided with music stands, chairs, electrical receptacle, and acoustic piano. Any and all other equipment needs of the group must be provided by the group. One house system microphone will be available on stage. Choral groups will be provided with an acoustic piano, choral risers, warmup room with piano, one house microphone on stage, director’s podium, and music stands as needed. No special lighting will be provided. Any choral group (show/jazz choir) needing anything other than one microphone must bring their own equipment (tape players, cd players, etc. – complete sound systems are not provided.) Are trophies and awards given for the various ratings? Trophies will be awarded for ALL division ratings. The size and nature of the trophy depends on the rating, but all groups will receive a trophy to reflect the level of their performance. Best in Class awards may be given in each category and classification of the Encore Level where there are at least two performing groups. When a group is the only participant in a classification, an Outstanding Performance award may be given if the group receives a high Division I rating. In the Open Level a Best in Class award will be given in each category and classification where there are at least two performing groups. The group earning the highest average numerical score, regardless of Division rating will receive the award. When a group is the only participant in a classification, an Outstanding Performance award will be given if the group receives a high Division I rating. In the Premier Level all groups will be ranked according to the highest average score. First, Second, and Third Place trophies will be awarded to the top three groups in each category and classification. When a group is the only participant in a classification, an Outstanding Performance award will be given if the group receives a high Division I rating. Is there an Awards Ceremony where my students will be recognized for their achievement? American Classic Music Festivals are held on Friday and/or Saturday (in most locations) in order to accommodate the schedules of as many groups as possible. These ceremonies are designed to celebrate the achievements of all performing groups and emphasize that winning equates to progress and team effort. Outstanding Soloist Awards are also presented at the discretion of the judges. Groups should check for the available day(s) to attend the theme parks or attractions in the various locations. All trophies and awards for all Performance Levels will be presented at the Saturday Night Awards Ceremony. Is there some sort of “guarantee” that we will get the type and quality of arrangements we have paid for? American Classic Music Festivals is the only company in America that absolutely guarantees the quality of its service (see Entune Guarantee accessed from Home Page.) This “Triple Guarantee” will certify that we will produce the type and quality of experience that you paid for – guaranteed! Do you arrange hotels, transportation, meals etc.? American Classic is a “full service” company that provides hotel, transportation, meals, entertainment, and other travel services for all groups. Our job is to take care of these often-complex details in order to free the directors to do what they do best – take care of the needs of their students and the preparation of the music. Can we make our own arrangements? A variety of programs exist from full service Overnight Packages to Day Only Packages that include all festival components plus theme park or other local attraction. Performance Only Packages can also be arranged. Directors can choose the package and program that best suits their needs. American Classic can customize any festival package and add on special requests. |
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