Creating your own solo music festival is a great way to offer a judged event for your students that is tailored to fit the exact needs of your studio.
Perhaps your teaching association does not have an event in the fall. Or perhaps there is an event at the right time but there are too many rules about required repertoire.
Offering an event with less rules or the right time will benefit your studio, but it will also allow you to increase your income (see link below).
I started offering a solo festival for my students a few years ago. Students play just one or two memorized pieces for a judge. Having an event with less rules regarding repertoire allows almost all of my students to participate. Even adult students participate.
Here is a timeline for how you can plan your own festival:
- Set the date for the event while you are planning your studio calendar for the year. Do this during the summer or August when you do all of your planning.
- 3-4 months before the event: Plan the pieces that your students will play. Most students could play just one piece for a judge.
- 2 months before the event: Book the judge.
- 1 month before the event: Confirm participation with parents and adult students.
- 2 weeks before the event: Set the performance times for students. Keep this simple! If a student is just playing one short piece, they can be given a 5 minute time slot. If the student is playing two pieces, give 10 minutes.
- 1 week before the event: Fill out an adjudication form for each student and email parents times & directions.
As you can see, it only takes a few simple steps to plan your own solo music festival!
Be sure to check out these other posts about having your own festival:
Increase Your Income With a Solo Festival
A Solo Festival With an Online Judge
Lauren teaches piano to students of all ages. She enjoys creating resources for her students and teachers. She is the author of Ready for Theory®. For personalized help, check out the consultations page for teachers.
