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District Solo & Ensemble
Saturday, January 17th, 2026
Imlay City HS
1001 Norlin Dr., Imlay City, MI. 48444
DEADLINE TO SIGN-UP - October 19, 2025
Solo and Ensemble provide each student with the opportunity to learn and perform a piece of music on their own. This is completely student-led! We have some solo and small group music that students can look through, but there is a lot of music out there to choose from. Between registration and the festival, students will practice the music on their own, making sure to rehearse together if playing a duet, trio, etc. A week or two before the festival date, students will be required to play their music for a director to make sure they are ready.
In the performance, students will receive feedback and scoring from an independent adjudicator. Any time the students receive external feedback for their performance, it makes them just that much better at performing. There are also the benefits of self-competitiveness, through the opportunity to receive a performance medal from a statewide music organization (MSBOA). Any student that earns a Division 1 rating will qualify for State Solo &Ensemble in March, with the chance to earn another medal at a higher level.
How do I pick music?
It is the students' responsibility to find music to perform for S&E. The school has a number of solos that students can look through and borrow for this festival. Students can also find their own music at a music store or online. Your directors will assist you in finding appropriate options if needed. ALL STUDENTS NEED TO GET THEIR MUSIC PRE-APPROVED BY A DIRECTOR.
How much does it cost to attend?
2025-26 solo and ensemble this year is $15 a PERSON. This fee covers the cost for registration. You are also responsible for contacting and paying your accompanist. If the student decides not to participate after registration, there is NO REFUND.
How do I pay for solo and ensemble?
Payment for solo and ensemble will be done online with school pay. Click the link at the bottom of the page to make your payment.
How long does the solo need to be?
High School Event Time Requirements High school events (solos or ensembles) shall be a minimum of two minutes in length, or no rating will be given. Repeats, D.C.s, or D.S.s may not be added to the music to meet minimum time requirements.
a. District solo and ensemble events will be allowed six minutes for their performance.
b. Winds, strings, and harp proficiency examinations will be allowed ten minutes for the performance.
c. Piano and percussion proficiency examinations will be allowed fourteen minutes for the performance.
d. Chamber ensembles (9-20 musicians), at both District and State Festivals, shall perform a minimum of three minutes, and not more than twelve minutes, or no rating will be given.
e. Any chamber ensemble music (9-20 musicians) included on the “Suggested Chamber Music List” found on the MSBOA website meets all qualifications for performance, regardless of performance time.
f. The adjudicator is allowed an additional two minutes for all high school District and State solo and ensemble events, or four minutes for chamber ensembles (9-20 musicians), to complete his/her written and/or oral comments.
g. The student(s) may prepare a solo or ensemble of any length, but not less than two minutes or no rating will be given. The judge shall have the right to start and stop the students(s) during the event as he/she desires.
what is APPROPRIATE music to play at S&E?
Solo and ensemble is an 'upscale' event. Appropriate music is a MUST to be successful. If the music is 'popular' (disney, movie themes, radio tunes, etc.), chances are good that it would not be appropriate for this event. Click the link below for appropriate solo pieces. ALL MUSIC MUST BE PRE-APPROVED BY A DIRECTOR.
Do I need a piano player?
YES! All events must be accompanied if an accompaniment is written, or no rating will be given. It is your responsibility to contact the accompanist and arrange a time to rehearse.
MSBOA Accompaniment rules
a. All events must be accompanied if an accompaniment is written, or no rating will be given. This rule does not apply to piano accompaniment parts that are clearly marked rehearsal or optional. Piano solos with orchestral accompaniment must be performed without accompaniment.
b. Anyone may act as an accompanist. All accompaniments must be live with the exception of digital intelligent accompaniment software, e.g., SmartMusic. Piano events are eligible only if students are members of their school’s instrumental music program or accompany on piano at least one event at the district festival.
c. Digital intelligent Accompaniment software must have an intelligent or adaptable accompaniment feature and that setting must be engaged. For example, in SmartMusic, this is called the follow me feature. The student must provide all their own equipment. The equipment must be set up and the performance completed within the allotted time for the event.
d. The director, following traditional practice, has the option to determine if a piano part is an accompaniment or is a member of the ensemble, if the title includes the piano as part of the ensemble, (e.g., Mozart’s Trio for Clarinet, Viola, & Piano)
How do I hire a piano player?
The following list of people have stated that they would be interested in accompanying student for solo and ensemble. It is the student's responsibility to contact, make arrangements, and pay for their own accompanist. When you call and talk to them you should ask questions like…
How much do they charge for their services?
How many rehearsals does this include?
When would they like you to pay them? (In advance or after the service)
Where and when can you meet for rehearsals?
How can you get them their music?
Nathan Cort 810-771-8811 or ncort@gbcs.org
Becky Holt 810-240-9811
Andrew Cramer 810
DO NOT WAIT TO CONTACT YOUR PIANO PLAYER. DO IT TODAY! THEIR SCHEDULE FILLS UP QUICKLY, AND THEY CAN ONLY PLAY FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE. WE HAVE MANY EVENTS GOING THIS YEAR!
do i need to have the orginal copy of the piece?
YES! This is one of the major rules for solo and ensemble. Copying copywritten material is illegal and is not accepted at MSBOA festival. EVERYONE MUST HAVE THEIR ORIGINAL MUSIC FOR THE JUDGE. You will be disqualified without the original music. If you are using a piece that is school owned, you will be given the Original the week of Festival. It is your responsibility to get the original to and from the event and back to the school the next day.
MSBOA definition of orginal score
DEFINITION OF ORIGINAL SCORE
a. Scores for all Solo & Ensemble events must contain aligned parts representing the voices of the ensemble in either concert or written pitch. For solo events, the adjudicator may be provided with either the full score or just the solo part.
b. If the selection is copyrighted, the only acceptable score is a purchased edition; the actual paper and ink sold by the publisher or music dealer. Photocopies and created scores of copyrighted music are illegal and unacceptable, as the adjudicator’s music, unless accompanied by written permission from the PUBLISHER, or a letter from the DISTRIBUTOR proving that the music has been purchased and is NOT RETURNABLE.
c. For music purchased on the Internet, proof of purchase must be presented to the site chair before the performance at the S&E Festival.
d. For music that is free on the Internet, documentation of the source must be presented to the site chair before the performance at the S&E Festival.
e. If the selection is not published or copyrighted (example: an original composition or arrangement) an acceptable score is one produced by a computer, hand-made or legible manuscript. If a full score is not published, a condensed score will be accepted. If no score is published, it is the responsibility of that event to make one. Computer or legible manuscript scores must also have the original parts available on site.
f. If the selection is not copyrighted, a photocopy is acceptable provided it copies the entire page and is deemed legible by the performance room chairperson.
g. If the selection is out of print, photocopies are still illegal unless accompanied by written permission from the PUBLISHER.
h. Instrument substitution is permitted without altering the score. Compliance with the provisions of the current copyright laws is the responsibility of each participating school
How will I be rated?
One of the five divisional ratings for prepared solos and ensembles will be used. These ratings are defined as follows for all solo and ensemble festivals:
First Division (I) - Superior - Highly refined and developed, considering the classification. Consistency is demonstrated throughout the solo or within the ensemble. A few minor isolated flaws might exist, but they do not detract from the performance.
Second Division (II) - Excellent - Somewhat refined and developed and consistency is often demonstrated in the solo or within the ensemble. Noticeable flaws sometimes detract from the performance.
Third Division (III) - Good - Developing, consistency is sometimes demonstrated by the soloist or within the ensemble, but not yet refined. Noticeable flaws often detract from the performance.
Fourth Division (IV) - Fair - Not yet developing or refined, consistency is seldom demonstrated by the soloist or within the ensemble. Obvious flaws consistently detract from the performance.
Fifth Division (V) - Poor - Consistency is infrequently demonstrated by the soloist or ensemble.
Listening Appointments
All students are required to play for Mrs. Huggler or Mr. Tripp prior to the festival. Once the form is open, do not delay in signing up for a spot. Time slots usually fill up quickly. It is better to play for us as soon as possible. Even if your solo is not polished yet, we can help.
For your practice section with the teacher ….
Bring the original music with you.
Make sure you have numbered the measures in the original score.
Be sure to be warmed up prior to your assigned time.
Your piano player does NOT need to be there, but it would be good if they were.
CLICK SIGN UP BELOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
How do I sign up?
Signing up for S&E is a two step process. Make sure that you pay for the solo first, before filling out the google form. (The google form is going to ask for your receipt number)
#1 Decide what type of event you want to do. (Solo, Duet, etc.)
#2 Go into school pay and pay for the event. (CLICK HERE)
#3 Fill out the google form. (CLICK HERE)
2025-26 DISTRICT SOLO AND ENSEMBLE. --- REGISTERED EVENTS
what are some resoUrces Available to me as I get ready for S&E?
We have music you can look through to find a solo
You can always ask a director for help if you are having trouble with a certain part of your music. Before or after class is best.
Consider taking some private lessons in the weeks leading up to S&E to get feedback ahead of time
Have your peers listen to you play your solo as well
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