Solo & Ensemble Festival

Date:
May 18, 2024
Deadline:
Friday, April 12, 2024
 
 
Fee:
$20 per SOLO, per event ($30 day of)
 
$40 per ENSEMBLE, regardless of size ($50 day of)
 
 
Chair:
Jonathan Medeiros
Site:
Ponaganset HS (directions)
 
 
Registration:
  • Preregistration is closed. Additional students may be registered on-site by a RIMEA member, in the entrance main lobby, the day of the event for a fee of $30 (solos) and $50 (ensembles, regardless of size).

What is Solo & Ensemble?
  • Solo & Ensemble is just what it sounds like... an event where students and other musicians get together and perform either in ensembles, or as a soloist, sometimes with a piano accompanist.
  • Solo & Ensemble is open to students from elementary through high school.
  • This event is, in some ways, similar to an audition, and in some ways is similar to a concert. Participants play in a room in front of a judge, and are given a performance rating - however, unlike All-State, they are not compared to others, but are given a rating based on their individual performance.
  • Depending on the comfort level of the performer, teachers/parents/peers are indeed WELCOME in the room during the performance.
  • Medals are awarded for rating of "Superior" or "Excellent". Students that are exceptional may be invited to play at the Honors Recital in June... see details below.

Musical Selections:
  • All music performed at the Solo & Ensemble Festival must be listed in one of the sanctioned music lists, listed below. Each piece is graded by the level of difficulty.
  • Since pre-registration ends weeks before the festival, if you need to, please make a "best guess" as to the level at which your student(s) will be playing. It is acceptable if an occasional student changes his/her mind after registration and performs at a different level the day of the festival.
  • All students participating MUST HAVE A SINGLE ORIGINAL COPY of their piece. Students without an ORIGINAL COPY will not be allowed to perform. If an ORIGINAL COPY is no longer available, or was ordered and did not arrive on time, a letter/receipt from the publisher or music dealer confirming this fact must be attached to the photocopy. A temporary copy can be made for the student to play from (give the adjudicator the original) but it must be destroyed after the festival.

The Day of the Festival:
  • Students should report directly to their scheduled room, 15 minutes before their assigned time (when possible); there is no need to "check in" if they know where they are going.
  • All students participating must be on the schedule. The judges will be using their lists to confirm student registration. Any student not on the list must have a registration confirmation in order to participate which can be obtained from entrance main lobby the day of the festival. Students that wish to register on-site must be registered by a RIMEA member, for a fee of $30 (solos) and $50 (ensembles).
  • Students must also have the PROPER SOLO & ENSEMBLE ADJUDICATION FORM with them. Be sure the student has the correct form and that all information has been completed correctly. (TIP: if you download the PDF forms (rather than open them in your browser), you can type in them before you print them.) Incorrect or missing information of the adjudication form only delays the performance and causes judges to fall behind on their schedules.
  • Sponsors/students are responsible for finding their own accompanist, if accompaniment is desired. RIMEA does maintain a database of accompanists that sponsor can access.
  • Any students using a CD/MP3 accompaniment will need to CARRY IN THEIR OWN CD/MP3 PLAYERS/SPEAKERS.
  • Percussion room 127 will contain a marimba, xylophone, vibes, bells, chimes, bass drum, snare drum, 4 toms, 4 timpani, drum set, sus cymbal and crash cymbal.
  • Once finished playing, the adjudicator will hand the student their completed adjudication form. If a student receives a rating of "Excellent" or "Superior", they should take the form to the entrance main lobby to receive a medal.
  • Students are expected to behave properly the entire time they are on the Ponaganset HS campus. Unruly students will not be allowed to perform.

Selection(s) to be performed should conform to these time limitations:
  • Levels 1-4 (B and C on Wisconsin, 2 & 3 on Texas) are 6 minute slots
  • Levels 5-6 (A on Wisconsin, 1 on Texas) are 8 minute slots

Honors Recital:
  • To be nominated TO AUDITION AS A SOLOIST for the Honors Recital students must receive a score of 33‐35, play a NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association list) Level 6 piece, Wisconsin Level A, or Texas Level 1 with live or Smart Music accompaniment, (if it is a piece with accompaniment), and be deemed “Concert Ready”.
  • To be nominated TO AUDITION AS AN ENSEMBLE students must receive a score of 33‐35, play a NYSSMA Level 5 or 6 piece, Wisconsin Level A, or Texas Level 1 and also be deemed “Concert Ready”.
  • The term “Concert Ready” means the performance, as heard by the adjudicator, would be acceptable as if it were being performed in a live concert recital today.
  • To audition again for, and, if selected, to perform in the Honors Recital,accompaniments must be with a live accompanist, if it is a piece with accompaniment.
  • All decisions concerning the Honors Recital participants will be made by the Judges and Honors Recital Chairpersons during the Solo & Ensemble Festival and the Honors Recital auditions.

Sanctioned Music Lists:
Other Resources: