Author: khallum

If you have performed with us in the past, you know that original conductor’s scores are required for the adjudicators.  Following your performance, the scores are immediately returned to you.  As artists and educators, you should know and understand why original music is necessary at festival. Respecting creativity is at the center of copyright law. …

Without a doubt, San Francisco is one of the world’s most beautiful and interesting cities. Attractions, food, and student activities flourish in an atmosphere rich in abundant cultures and traditions. Among the most desired cities for student travelers to explore, it’s not difficult to fill your itinerary with interesting and educational pursuits. Discover what each…

What’s not to love in L.A.?  The weather is fabulous and there is no shortage of student-friendly activities! Educational activities abound in and around Los Angeles!  Incorporate a cross-cultural or cross-discipline activity during your trip and get even more bang for your buck! Cultural and musical events –Los Angeles is home to many options for…

We were founded by 3 music educators. Our original name was Forum Funtastic Festivals! We started out only offering Anaheim festivals. The scholarship program has been part of our operation since Year 1. Most of our performing halls are on college campuses or community theatres. We opened a San Francisco Bay Area festival in 2000.…

I admit, I get a little woo-ey this time of the year. As we wrap up and put the cherry on top of on our 2017 festival season, I am reminded of the many fine folks that you, our customer, encounter at festival. Just looking at the sheer numbers of students who share their music…

Clinics sound so diagnostic and medicinal, don’t they? (Reference: medical students walking around in white lab coats). But music clinics add another valuable tool for earnest music ensembles who want even more feedback and advice. Consider arranging a clinic before the festival.  Why not bring your best performance to the festival?  Before you leave home,…

Contributed by Don Gunderson Jr. High/Middle School kids need to see the face of the High School director frequently. Visit, guest conduct on a concert, clinic the festival music. Invite the JH/MS director to guest conduct. Make it a “continuous” program where the students expected to “automatically” continue until graduation. It is a 6 year…

Contributed by Orrin Cross In 1973 I came to a school with no music program, little District money and no parental support. We had some old instruments. I approached this problem by making the music students visible to everyone. I advertised that we would have a marching band and march at football games. The first…

Contributions by Dr. David Betancourt and Peter Fournier Each year around this time, as we are neck deep in Festivals across the state, we realize that you also are neck deep – in festivals, performances, exams, and prepping for your next school year.  Recruitment is a vital part of your prep each year and programs…

Not to get too mushy or maudlin, but I just returned from the CASMEC conference in San Jose and I’m currently overflowing with inspiration.  So, what could be inspiring about standing at a booth all day in the exhibit hall?  Plain and simple, it’s just you…the band, orchestra, and choir teacher. “I’m just here to…

Everyone has to start somewhere so pat yourself on the back for taking the first step in arranging a festival for your band, orchestra or choir! We hear from newbie directors quite a bit who want to stick their toes in the “festival waters” and need a little extra hand-holding to get there.  And we’re…

Playing music for yourself – there’s nothing like it! But, being part of a performing group is all about feedback – there is no substitute for an audience and its response to your music. The best directors seek opportunities for their fledgling musicians to perform to spectators – not to justify their worth as a…

Our website offers many different resources for trip planning. Here are a few tips on how to use our website: Make changes to your existing reservation Log in using your username and password in the right orange box Once logged in, click Manage My Account From here you can update your Reservations, your Schools, and…

Thank you for visiting Forum Music Festivals! CREATE A PROFILE: Create a new username/password for our website. Either create a new account or request a password reset (just look for the orange box on the right). REGISTER FOR A FESTIVAL: Log-on with your username and password and go to Festival Registrations. Select your package options…

Whew! Holidays are wonderful, but let’s face it – now the hard work begins: new students coming in, hanging on to seniors (at least mentally), competing with testing, AND preparing for concert and festival season. Here are five tips to help kick-start your own mojo: Tidy your space. Okay, don’t bail on me now. I…

Our staff at Forum Music Festivals extends our warmest wishes to you for a very happy holiday, whatever and wherever you are celebrating.   I hope you’ll take some well-deserved time to rest and relax. We are also taking some time off between Christmas and New Year’s  to spend with family, enjoy way too much rich…

Justifying enrichment opportunities for music students can be a little daunting.   Daunting since the reasons for school festival performances are as numerous and diverse as the young student musicians we hope to serve. An adjudicated performance offers valuable feedback, just as running a race determines if physical training paid off.  Insightful adjudication goes a long…

Sometimes there are epic years for students of musical theatre. 2017 happens to be one of those years and we’re seeing a bang-up participation of student groups performing at a festival, then heading to the theatre to enjoy a great evening (or matinee) of entertainment. Let us know if you’re interested in introducing your students…

Remember a few years ago Robert Fulghum’s runaway best seller, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten?  The list included things like “Share Everything,” and “Take a nap every afternoon,” and my personal favorite – “Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.” The book’s concept was profound and thoughtful.  Recently,…