Participation in the Solo & Ensemble Festival is optional for YMS Band students. However, we welcome all students to participate. After each performance, every student will receive a short clinic with a highly qualified clinician!

Event details

Date & Location:
Saturday, February 21st, 2026
Yorkville High School

Sign-Up:
Google Sign Up Form – Due Wednesday, January 23rd 2026

Schedule:
This event is expected to run from 8:00am-12:00pm. Each student will be assigned a 10 minute performance time slot, and should plan to arrive 30 minutes prior in order to warm up, get organized, and find their performance location.
The schedule will be sent to all students and parents approximately two weeks before the festival.

Informational Packet

This event provides you with the unique experience of learning and performing a solo, a skill very different from what we do together in large ensembles. After each performance, every student will receive a short clinic with a highly qualified clinician! Students will also have the additional opportunity to perform in a small ensemble such as a duet, trio, or quartet.

Students who take private lessons should especially
take advantage of this event!

Date & Location
Saturday, February 21st
Yorkville High School

Sign-Up
Google Sign Up Form – Due Friday, January 23rd

Schedule
The event will run from 8:00am-12:00pm. Each student will be assigned a 10 minute performance time slot, and should plan to arrive 30 minutes prior in order to warm up and get organized. The schedule will be sent to all students and parents approximately two weeks before the event.

Why is learning a solo beneficial for me?
Participating in the Solo & Ensemble Festival will…

Provide the experience to perform for and receive feedback from a highly-qualified clinician!
Help you prepare for future auditions.
Give you the opportunity to perform individually, an essential skill for all musicians.
Help you develop individual responsibility.
Provide a unique challenge.
Help you improve on your instrument.
Allow you to practice presenting yourself as a professional, which is necessary for future job interviews!

Piano Accompaniment for solos

Solos are typically accompanied, and we strongly encourage students to take advantage of this great enhancement to their performance. Students have the opportunity to work with a professional musician and receive help with tempo, timing, and musicianship of their piece. You may find your own accompanist, but we can help arrange accompanists to work with students in school. Ensembles are typically not accompanied by piano.

The fee for having a live accompanist typically ranges from $40-50. This covers the accompanist learning and practicing the music, visiting YMS for 2 one-on-one rehearsal sessions with the soloist during school, and performing at the festival.
Students will be asked to bring payment (cash or check) made out to their accompanist to their first rehearsal.

Cancellation Fee - We pay professional adjudicators to evaluate our young performers. If a student needs to cancel their scheduled performance a $10 fee will be charged by the school district to cover the expenses.

Small Ensemble Information

You also have the opportunity to perform in a small ensemble such as a duet, trio, quartet or quintet. While this can be a fun and rewarding option, please know this may be an extra challenge.

Requirements for Small Ensembles:

Small ensembles must make a commitment to rehearse outside of school or during advisory.
All small ensembles must be approved by a YMS director
All music selections must be approved by a YMS director
Small Ensemble Examples:

Duet (2 Instruments)
Trio (3 Instruments)
Quartet (4 Instruments)
Quintet (5 Instruments)

Yorkville Approved Private Lesson Teacher List

Now is the perfect time to sign up for private lessons. Private lesson teachers can help you one-on-one with your solo. Private lessons are highly effective and can lead to rapid improvement as a musician. Students who take private lessons feel extra confident at the solo festival. Also, the Yorkville Music Boosters are offering a scholarship for students who are new to private lessons.