2026 National Festival Application

Applications and all supporting materials are due to Music for All office no later than May 20, 2025. 

Below are the application requirements for the 2026 National Festival - March 26-28, 2026.

1. ELIGIBLE ENSEMBLES:

1.1 – BANDS AND ORCHESTRAS: Please submit an unedited audio recording of 12-20 minutes of music, made during the 2021-2022 school year. 

1.2 – PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES: Please submit an unedited audio recording of two or three selections/movements not to exceed 15 minutes of applicant, made during the 2024-2025 school year.

2. AUDITION RECORDINGS AND REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS:

2.1– Audio recordings should not only display the ensemble’s technical proficiency but also demonstrate their musical expression and artistry. You are strongly encouraged to submit a high-quality, high-fidelity recording. Remember, your ensemble’s audition performance is only as good as the quality of the recording.

2.2 – There is no required music list, but it is recommended that the music be selected from Grade IV or higher for high school ensembles and Grade III or higher for middle school ensembles. 

2.3 – Recordings can be of festival performances, live concerts, or recorded performance for purpose of audition.

2.4 – Submissions that exceed the time requirements may not be evaluated beyond the maximum length (20 minutes for bands and orchestras; 15 minutes for percussion ensembles).

3. RECORDING FORMAT:

3.1 – All recordings should be in stereo. Any deviation from this standard may result in a loss of sound quality.

3.2 – Do not use any type of enhancement technique or audio editing to change the quality of the live performance.

3.3 – Prepare a digital audio file as 128k mp3. Access the online application and instructions to upload your digital audio recording at festival.musicforall.org/apply.

3.4 – Suggested recording criteria for audition recording:  1) Directional microphone, not omni microphone;  2) Dynamic microphone, not condenser;  3) Set meters to peak at max +3;  4) Microphones should be 9’ to 10’ behind conductor/ensemble, and at least 10’ above the ensemble.

3.5 – All applications are evaluated anonymously. All announcements and verbal identification of the ensemble on the submission must be omitted.

4. APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE PROTOCOLS:

4.1 – Multiple ensembles of varying types from a school may apply. Each ensemble will be evaluated independently. 

4.2 – Music for All will continue to present a stage at the Music for All National Festival specifically for ensembles from schools with enrollment of 1,400 or less in grades 9-12. Applying ensembles may select consideration for this Small School Stage or select to be considered for other stages with schools of all sizes.

4.3 –Invitations may be issued to more than one ensemble from a given school based on the merit of the audition recording(s). Music for All reserves the right to schedule all Festival performances.

4.4 – If accepted, ensembles are required to be present from the Opening Session starting at 1:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Ensembles assigned Friday performances are advised to arrive on Thursday.

5. FEES:

5.1 – The application fee is $250 for each applicant ensemble.

5.2 – If You Are Accepted, you will be notified via email of your acceptance to the Music for All National Festival along with access to the Director Area of the website, and an invoice for your non-refundable $5,000 deposit, paid within 15 days of acceptance. YOU ARE NOT OFFICIALLY ACCEPTED UNTIL WE RECEIVE YOUR DEPOSIT.  You may pay your deposit via credit card or by mailing a check to our office.

6. ELIGIBILITY AND AUTHORIZATION:

6.1 – All participating students must be registered at the same school or percussion studio, or a feeder school. All performers who contribute to the performance MUST be students. Special guest soloists who are not students are allowed but may not perform on pieces for which they are not the guest soloist(s).

6.2 – The ensemble director and a school official must authorize with their signatures approval of this application, in accordance with Music for All policies. Unless the “Input Only” option is selected, by signing the application, the director and school official acknowledge that if invited to the event, the applying ensemble will participate and perform a concert as specified in the application FAQs. The signatures of the ensemble director and school official acknowledge acceptance of one of the event packages for the estimated number of students.

6.3 – If accepted, ensemble directors and booster representatives from each ensemble are required to participate in four 1-hour virtual familiarization sessions during which Music for All staff and Festival coordinators will convey critical Festival participation information and answer questions. These required sessions will be scheduled to occur in August, October, December and February.

7. APPLICATION DEADLINE:

7.1 – The completed application (online application, audition recordings, application fee and administrator signatures) must be submitted by the May 20, 2025 deadline..

7.2 - Three (3) original copies of each score must be mailed to the Music for All Office, mailing address below, postmarked on/before May 20, 2025. Photocopies will not be accepted unless the proper documentation from the copyright holder or publisher is submitted with the score. It is best to send via certified mail and track your package.
   Music for All, Inc: 39 W. Jackson Place, Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN 46225

7.3 - Once all components of your application have been received (online application with recordings and fee, administrator form, and scores), you will receive a Complete Application notification email.

8. OTHER CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE:

8.1 – If accepted, the ensemble’s signed application grants Music for All the right to use in any media the ensemble’s name, likeness, photographs, and reproduction of the performance, and the ensemble’s members for any purpose including promotion, advertising, or otherwise. For purposes of use of these rights, the signed application (on behalf of the ensemble and its members) releases and indemnifies Music for All and its agents from all claims, liabilities, and damages which may arise from such use.

8.2 – Music for All secures the permissions to perform all published works and arrangements of copyrighted music that is performed. However, if a custom arrangement is created, or a new work or arrangement is commissioned, the participating ensemble must supply to Music for All written permission from the copyright owner to arrange and perform such works at our Festival. Copyright information and program selection form(s), (if applicable), must be provided to Music for All by January 15, 2026.

8.3 – If an ensemble, after acceptance, plans to utilize a travel agent, that agent must work through Music for All on specifics regarding the ensemble’s itinerary. The invited ensemble agrees to utilize the Music for All Festival Package hotel and meal accommodations from Thursday night through Sunday night while the ensemble is in Indianapolis.

8.4 – Bands, orchestras, and percussion ensembles accepted for the 2026 Music for All National Festival will be notified no later than September 1, 2025.