The Bluebonnet Classic, Big D Classic, Capitol City Classic, Bayou City Classic and Breckenridge Classic Alpine Festivals: for bands, choirs and orchestras from elementary, middle, and senior high schools. Two levels of competition are available.

The Kidz 'N the Park Festivals: affordable festivals designed especially for elementary and middle school choirs, bands and orchestras featuring adjudicators recognized for their work with young musicians.

The Crescent City Jazz Festival: for instrumental jazz groups, includes an opportunity to perform with professional musicians.

The Puerto Vallarta Jazz Festival evolved through the vision of Mary Jo Papich and offers opportunities for  jazz ensembles to perform for thousands of people in a beautiful waterfront setting.
 
The Greater Houston Invitational Orchestra Festival is designed to meet the special needs of string orchestra directors wishing to submit recordings for the TMEA honor orchestra and features a quality performance hall and recording engineer plus ample warm up, sound check and performance time on stage.

Houston, North Texas and Central Texas Choral Classic events: designed for UIL preparation; incorporates performance and a 40-minute clinic by a nationally recognized university clinician. Each choir also receives written comments from two evaluators and a CD recording. Non-competitive.

Madrigal and Chamber Choir Festival: a highly competitive festival for madrigal or chamber ensembles with twenty-four or fewer singers; includes adjudication and a thirty minute clinic.

General Information

Trophies for competitive events are awarded in all classifications. Participants have the opportunity to earn Outstanding Performance Awards. Outstanding Soloist awards are given at the discretion of the adjudicators, who also select Best in Class and Best in Festival recipients.

Adjudication panels are chosen from accomplished music educators who are considered experts in their field. Band/Orchestra panels consist of three instrumental directors; choir panels consist of three choral directors.

All participants in American Classic events receive a professional recording of their performance.

There is no required music list at American Classic festivals; directors choose three selections which they deem appropriate for their particular group.