Musicfest History
Musicfest is an annual music event sponsored by the Tri-City Chapter and takes place in the fall, usually November. Musicfest originated as a "Ribbon Festival" in 1980. Its original purpose, to encourage students as they embarked on the year's music activities, continues today. Teachers, students and parents have been enthusiastic through the years in supporting this event. All students of Tri-City Chapter teachers are welcome, and have included students of the piano, violin, viola, cello, bass and harp.
The Festival has evolved into two categories. Both festivals are non-competitive.
- Ribbonfest, a participation festival, primarily appeals to the younger students. A student may earn up to eleven ribbons: solo, solo special ribbon, hymn playing, original composition, duets, scales, arpeggios, chords, music theory, ear-training and craft. Three solo event recital rooms run concurrently from 8:00 to 2:00, and 5:00 to 6:30.
- Sonatinafest is set up for the advancing-advanced piano student. The students perform for an adjudicator and also play technique for a teacher. The judging is scored according to a standard and is not a competition.
- Unaccompanied String Festival provides a recital atmosphere for students wanting to program a composition that does not have accompaniment. The composer wrote the piece as a stand-alone composition for the solo instrument.
Proceeds from the Musicfest are placed in a scholarship fund for students who want to audition for a scholarship that will help defray expenses of a summer music camp. Eligible students are those entering 9th grade through 12th grade the following fall. Summer Camp Auditions usually takes place at a student recital in April. The Scholarship Fund from Musicfest also helps to provide a schoarship to graduating seniors interested in music as a major or minor.