MidFest

"MidFest" (established 1990) is a three-day event for middle school band musicians. Students are nominated for participation by their director by way of this website early in the academic year after receiving the MidFest announcement in the mail. MidFest staff selects students to participate based on the order of the director’s submission, the instrumentation need of the festival bands, and the reported musical achievements of each student. Typical festival attendance is approximately 1000 students from 130 schools.

Directors and other adult chaperones accompany students to Athens for the event. Directors are responsible for housing and food arrangements for the students.

The festival announcement includes a list of hotel properties in close proximity to the festival site.

Students are placed in festival bands on the basis of an initial audition. These bands rehearse four times before a final performance on the final afternoon of the event. Attendees also enjoy several featured performances by guest middle school bands and the UGA Wind Symphony.

Nomination Process

Students in Cardinal Winds should express interest in this opportunity to be nominated. They will then perform their District Honor Band Scales as an audition and be chosen for nomination based on their performance. Once nominations have been submitted, Ms. Cummings has no control over the students chosen to attend the trip.