MSBOA Festival FAQs
Concert Band & Orchestra
This section does NOT address the MSBOA Marching Band Festival. That is a similar, but separate, event that takes place in the Fall, during the Marching Band season, and outdoors on a football field. Much of the information here is still applicable, but there are some differences. For example, Marching Band Festival does not have Sight Reading or a Required Music List. Additionally, they are judged on their field movements (drill) and marching technique as well as their musicality.
What is "MSBOA" and what is "Festival"?
The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), the oldest association of its type in the US, established the Festival system in the mid 1930’s to provide an annual means for school bands and orchestras to be judged by knowledgeable and independent adjudicators, on a statewide standard. Although it’s not a competition per se, in that there isn’t a “winner”, there is a comparative aspect to the festival, which is why bands and orchestras are flighted by school size. It is the sole objective evaluative tool for our programs — sort of the “Band and Orchestra MEAP”.
When and where is Festival?
Festival takes place at BHHS in the early Spring, usually in March. BHHS has hosted this event for several years. Besides what our ensembles get out of their own performance and adjudication experience, our students also get to hear other high school ensembles. Plus, our students participate as volunteers to help run the event. It's a lot of work, but an incredible opportunity.
How does it work?
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Each group performs 3 pieces in a high school auditorium for 3 judges.
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Concert bands must play 1 march, 1 required piece (chosen from a specific list), and 1 selected piece.
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String orchestras must play 1 piece off the required list, and 2 pieces of their choosing.
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The judges score the groups in the areas of Tone, Intonation, Rhythm, Technique, and Interpretation.
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The scores are compiled, and a rating of 1 through 5 is given, with a 1 being the highest and 5 the lowest
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All 3 judges' ratings are then averaged for a Final Concert Rating.
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The group is then led into a different room for Sight Reading, which is judged by a separate judge who has not seen them perform yet.
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The Sight Reading Rating and the Concert Rating are averaged for a Final Rating.
What is Sight Reading?
Put simply, Sight Reading is performing music they have never seen before.
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Students are given a folder with one piece in it
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They have five minutes to discuss the piece—sing it, finger it, talk about it—anything but actually play their instruments.
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They then perform the piece for a judge.
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It’s a real test of the students’ knowledge. Although it’s a bit scary, it’s a great experience and parents generally find it to be a lot of fun to watch.
Where do the judges come from?
The MSBOA has a list of judges. Each judging panel is selected by the Festival Chair. All judges must undergo a screening process at the District and State level, must have taught successfully for at least 7 years, must have at least 2 letters of recommendation, and must go through a training workshop in order to be certified to judge. They’re all current or retired band and orchestra directors — no parent or “off the street” judges at Festival!
Can parents attend?
YES! After all the hard work the students have put into this performance, it is very gratifying to have an appreciative audience there to hear them. The performances can be watched in the auditorium and then families are welcome to follow the band into the Sight Reading room to as well.
Do students wear their uniforms?
Bands and Orchestras wear their Concert Uniforms. Judges are always impressed with a group that looks sharp and are always unimpressed by white socks, non-uniform pants, anything but all black shoes, etc. Therefore, for the good of the ensembles, only students who are in proper uniform will perform.