Solo and Ensemble FESTIVAL

2025 Middle School solo & ensemble Festival

Saturday, December 6th, 2025

North Branch High School

Solo and Ensemble Rules 2025

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Deadline to sign up is OCTOBER 8th

Solo and Ensemble is an exciting musical event that offers students the chance to showcase their individual talents and creativity. It's a fun and enriching experience where students independently learn and perform music. Not only do they receive valuable feedback from expert adjudicators, but they also have the opportunity to challenge themselves and aim for performance medals, adding a thrilling competitive edge to the experience. Solo and Ensemble truly makes music education enjoyable and rewarding for all participants.

Solo and Ensemble presents students with a unique opportunity for independent music learning and performance. Here's how it works:

1. Independent Learning: After registering, students take on the responsibility of practicing their chosen music independently.

2. Performance Evaluation: About two to three weeks before the festival, students must perform their chosen piece for a director to assess their preparedness.

3. Expert Feedback: An impartial adjudicator evaluates this performance, providing students with valuable feedback and scoring. This external feedback is instrumental in enhancing their overall performance skills.

4. Self-Competition: Participation in Solo and Ensemble also encourages students to challenge themselves. They strive to earn a performance medal from the statewide music organization, MSBOA, adding an element of self-competition to their musical journey.

In summary, Solo and Ensemble is an enriching event where students explore and learn new music, receive expert evaluation, and have the chance to earn performance recognition. It's a fantastic opportunity for your students to grow as musicians.

Solo and Ensemble is open to all 7th grade and 8th grade students.

what is APPROPRIATE music to play at S&E?

The pieces we pick for the MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival have to follow certain rules. Sometimes, students want to play songs from movies like "The Phantom of the Opera" or Disney songs. Even though these songs have some classical parts, they're called pop-classic and don't match the festival's rules.

ALL MUSIC MUST BE PRE-APPROVED BY A DIRECTOR.

How do I get music to play?

Because these rules can be tricky, the GBMS will suggest pieces that work well for your child's performance. We'll give a few options. After your child checks them out, we'll talk to them one-on-one to help them choose the best piece.

Our goal is to make sure your child's music fits their skills and goals, so they have a great time performing at the festival.

ALL STUDENTS NEED TO GET THEIR MUSIC PRE-APPROVED BY A DIRECTOR.

How much does it cost to attend?

The registration fee for the 2025 Solo and Ensemble event is $18 per individual, encompassing the expense associated with the piano player. It's important to note that once you have completed your registration for Solo and Ensemble, refunds will not be issued.

How do I pay for solo and ensemble?

Payment for Solo and Ensemble will be processed through our online payment platform, School Pay. To complete your payment, kindly access the provided link located at the bottom of this page.

How long does the solo need to be?

The total duration of the musical selection is required to be a minimum of one and a half minutes for all middle school events. If the performance falls short of this duration, students will receive constructive feedback from the Adjudicator, but they will not receive a rating, which in turn means they won't be eligible for a medal.

It is advisable to regularly time the music during the learning process. As students become more proficient, they may speed up the tempo, potentially bringing the piece below the required time threshold.

Please note that adding repeats and codas to a piece solely to meet the length requirement is not allowed. However, students have the option to perform a second selection. It is not uncommon for students to present two shorter pieces with contrasting styles. These selections can be composed by different individuals and sourced from different music books.

Do I need a piano player?

YES! If the composer or arranger made a piano part for your child's piece (which is true for most pieces), it has to be played at the Festival. If they don't play the piano part, your child won't get a rating, which means they can't win a medal.

The quality of the piano performance doesn't affect the rating, so the accompanist won't stop your child from winning a medal. However, if the pianist has trouble, it might make it harder for the soloist.

You can certainly look for your own piano player, but if you don't know anyone, Mr. Cort (EMS Choir Director) will play for the student. The fee you paid for Solo & Ensemble will take care of his charges.

A note for accompanists: At the festival, they usually use electronic keyboards because they're easier to tune and move. These keyboards are sensitive to touch, but I must admit they don't feel exactly like acoustic pianos.

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)

do i need to have the orginal copy of the piece?

YES! This is a crucial rule when it comes to solo and ensemble performances. Replicating copyrighted material is both unlawful and strictly prohibited at the MSBOA festival. It is imperative that every participant possesses their authentic music for presentation to the Judge. Failure to provide the original music will result in disqualification from the event.

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

Participation in a mandatory practice session with Mr. Hutchison before the festival is a requirement for all students. We will coordinate and schedule these sessions through Google Classroom, and they will take place after school hours.

Here are some key guidelines for your practice session with the teacher:

Please ensure you bring the original music with you.
It's important that you have numbered the measures in the original score.
Be sure to arrive warmed up and ready to play at your designated time.
While your piano player is not required to be present, their presence is encouraged for the session.

These preparations will contribute to a more effective and productive practice session.

How do I get to solo and Ensemble?

Students and their families are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the event. The majority of these events typically occur in the morning hours. Families can anticipate spending approximately an hour at North Branch, ensuring that it does not consume an entire day.

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 Go into school pay and pay for the event.

#2 Fill out the google form.

PAY HERE (Step 2)

Sign-up HERE (Step 3)

2025 SOLO AND ENSEMBLE. --- REGISTERED EVENTS

2023 EMS Solo and Ensemble (Responses)

AFTER SCHOOL PRACTICE SESSIONS

Practice Times

Two Listening Times

On Monday and Tuesday, (Nov. 17th and 18th) at 3:00 PM, we will start with a session that includes a detailed discussion about the solo and ensemble event. This will help students understand what to expect and how they can excel. Following this discussion, the students will engage in a practice session with me, applying what they've learned and beginning to prepare their pieces. This session is scheduled to last an hour and a half at maximum.

On Monday December 1st, at 3:00 PM, we have arranged a practice session with Mr. Cort, our piano accompanist. This is a critical opportunity for the students to synchronize their performances with the piano accompaniment. Like Monday's session, it is scheduled to last no longer than an hour and a half. This is the LAST practice session with Mr. Cort so it is very important everyone is there.

MS Solo and Ensemble Listening Sign Up

Checklist for Solo & Ensemble

Last Minute Reminders from MSBOA

PLEASE STRESS THESE ITEMS TO YOUR STUDENTS:

a. Remember the adjudicator's score with all measures numbered. Please also list names, school and performance time at the top of the front page to help us get music back to you in case it is not picked up.

b. Pick up our copies of the solo or score when our rating is posted

c. Report to headquarters any problem which might reflect poorly on our festival

d. Members of ensembles should pick up medals at the same time since only one medal slip is given to the group.

e. Please be quiet in the hallways outside performance room areas.

f. If an event is going to play early, they should make any necessary audience members, i.e. parents, aware of the schedule change. It is also helpful to notify the accompanist!

h. Accompanist conflicts will occur! Be patient. Be polite. Be ready to perform when your accompanist is available.

i. Leave your warm-up room in the same condition as when you arrived.

RESOURSES

Serenade from Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Standard of Excellence Festival Solos Book 1

Concert Etude by Henri Lemoine - Standard of Excellence Festival Solos Book 1

Country Dance by Ludwig van Beethoven - Standard of Excellence Festival Solos Book 1

Melody by Albert Biehl - Standard of Excellence Festival Solos Book 1

Wooden Shoe Dance by Victor Herbert - Standard of Excellence Festival Solos Book 1