This is one of the major festivals we host at our school, and we’ll need both student and parent/guardian volunteers to make it a success!
Please sign up for any time slots when you’re available to help - we will need a lot of helpers! To represent the school, student volunteers are required to wear their Concert Black attire with ties and parent/guardians should be dressed all in black with Black Band T-shirts (if available). Volunteer Sign Up Sheet can be found here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48AFA92AA7FCC61-62100038-omea
The OMEA District 3 Solo & Ensemble Festival will take place at Scappoose High School on Saturday, 2/28/26, from 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. This annual event is open to middle and high school students from District 3 who wish to perform a solo or ensemble piece. Band directors assist students with registration and music selection ahead of time.
All performances are evaluated by a judge and scored using a standardized rating system. Performance slots are 10 minutes long for solos, trios, and small ensembles. High school division winners advance to compete at the State Festival in May 2026 at Mt. Hood Community College.
A heartfelt thank you to our District 3 Festival volunteers—your generosity and commitment make this special event possible and create an amazing experience for our District 3 students and the band community.
MORE FESTIVAL INFORMATION:
Solo: A single student performs a piece on their instrument or voice, often with piano accompaniment, for the judge.
Ensemble: A small group of students (a duet, trio, quartet, etc.) performs a piece together, developing listening skills and the ability to balance their parts with others.
Adjudication: After performing, the students receive a rating (e.g., Superior, Excellent, Good) and written comments from the judge, who is typically an experienced musician or band director from another school.
Music Selection: Students choose pieces that are appropriate for their skill level, and there are guidelines regarding playing time and music format.
Key benefits for students:
Individual Growth:Soloists develop discipline, technical skill, and a deeper understanding of their instrument.
Ensemble Skills: Ensemble participation fosters teamwork, collaboration, and the ability to listen and respond to other musicians.
Performance Experience: Students gain crucial experience performing in a formal setting, which builds confidence and prepares them for other musical challenges.
Broadened Repertoire:The event introduces students to a wide variety of high-quality music not always available for large ensembles.
Structured Feedback: The adjudicator's feedback provides valuable insights and direction for improvement.