Ensemble Festival Guide

What is the Ensemble Festival?

The AMS Band Ensemble Festival happens over two evenings: Monday, March 9 for all 7th and 8th grade band members, and Tuesday, March 10 for all 6th grade band members.

Each student performs with their lesson group in a small ensemble setting. These ensembles challenge students to collaborate while playing independent parts, strengthening both their musical skills and teamwork. Family and friends are invited to attend and enjoy the performances. Each group also receives constructive feedback and a rating from a guest educator who is invited to adjudicate the festival performances.

Parent/Family Information

• • Performers and audience members should enter and exit AMS through door #29, the east music wing door. 

  • We will not charge admission for this performance. Please consider making a $2/audience member online donation to help offset the costs of the festival.

  • Please be seated in the performance center at least 15 minutes before your student's performance. The hallway can get crowded, and entering early is the best way to ensure you don't miss your student's ensemble. 

  • Please give close attention to the location of your student's performance - either on the stage or another music classroom.

  • Please keep the hallway quiet to create good performance environments inside the rooms. 

  • Feel free to stay and enjoy as many performances as you like. Students staying to attend other performances must have adult supervision. If a parent is unavailable, please arrange for another adult to be responsible for your student. 

Student/Performer Information

Each performance will consist of: 1) Preparation, 2) Introduction, 3) Performance, 4) Verbal feedback

Introduction

Wait until the judge gives the go-ahead, then introduce your group. 

1st performer: "Good evening.  We are the ______ ensemble.  My name is (First and Last name)."

2nd performer: "My name is (First and Last name)."

(repeat for additional performers)

Last performer: "My name is (First and Last name). We will perform (Title) by (composer)." 

Performance

Relax, breathe deeply, listen to each other!

Verbal Feedback

Your judge will take a few minutes to work with you after your performance.  They may ask you to play more or just offer some comments. 

After leaving the performance center, put your instrument away.  You may listen to other performances or go home. 

Your judge will also rate your group: I+ (Highly Superior), I (Excellent), I- (Good), or II (fair)

Sample Ballots (Judges' forms)

Each judge will fill out a ballot (form) for each group.  They will judge your group on the categories listed. 

Click to view the ballot for Brass and Woodwind ensembles. 

Click to view the ballot for Percussion ensembles.