CMEA
Southern Border Section
Band and Orchestra Festivals
CMEA-SBS Instrumental Music Festival Mission Statement
The Southern Border Section of the California Music Educators’ Association is a proud sponsor of many local adjudicated band and orchestra festivals each school year. Our philosophy behind these festivals is to provide a venue for the evaluation of student musical performances that is both rigorous and educationally valuable. At each of our festivals, ensembles will perform for a rating and/or constructive comments from a panel of judges, and then receive an onstage clinic from one of the judges. Our aim is to provide a forum for high-quality musical assessment and growth that both students and directors alike will thoroughly enjoy. Please follow the steps below to register for one of our festivals, and we look forward to hosting you this spring!
The Southern Border Section of the California Music Educators’ Association is a proud sponsor of many local adjudicated band and orchestra festivals each school year. Our philosophy behind these festivals is to provide a venue for the evaluation of student musical performances that is both rigorous and educationally valuable. At each of our festivals, ensembles will perform for a rating and/or constructive comments from a panel of judges, and then receive an onstage clinic from one of the judges. Our aim is to provide a forum for high-quality musical assessment and growth that both students and directors alike will thoroughly enjoy. Please follow the steps below to register for one of our festivals, and we look forward to hosting you this spring!
For more information about how our festivals operate, please open this festival overview.
Questions, please contact our INSTRUMENTAL VP: Russell Shedd <[email protected]>
Questions, please contact our INSTRUMENTAL VP: Russell Shedd <[email protected]>
Determine your group's classification and review the evaluation criteria
Festival Format
Performing bands and orchestras will be given 45 min time slots which allow for setup/tear down, performance as well as on-stage clinics. All commentary and scores will be recorded in Competition Suite.
Music Selections
CMEA-SBS does not use a standard literature, however, a great resource is the Texas UIL prescribed music list HERE. Directors are encouraged to choose literature that best suits their ensembles strengths from a broad range of compositional styles and genres. To ensure a smooth festival experience, keep your performance time to 20 minutes or less and a maximum of three pieces.
Choose your festival date(s) and location(s)
CMEA-SBS is proud to offer three instrumental music festivals this spring designed to give your students a chance to showcase their talents and get feedback from highly qualified educators.
2026 Band & Orchestra Festival Schedule and Locations
El Centro- Thursday, March 12th, 2026
Marshall Middle School - Friday, March 13th 2026
Performing bands and orchestras will be given 45 min time slots which allow for setup/tear down, performance as well as on-stage clinics. All commentary and scores will be recorded in Competition Suite.
Music Selections
CMEA-SBS does not use a standard literature, however, a great resource is the Texas UIL prescribed music list HERE. Directors are encouraged to choose literature that best suits their ensembles strengths from a broad range of compositional styles and genres. To ensure a smooth festival experience, keep your performance time to 20 minutes or less and a maximum of three pieces.
Choose your festival date(s) and location(s)
CMEA-SBS is proud to offer three instrumental music festivals this spring designed to give your students a chance to showcase their talents and get feedback from highly qualified educators.
2026 Band & Orchestra Festival Schedule and Locations
El Centro- Thursday, March 12th, 2026
Marshall Middle School - Friday, March 13th 2026
Retrieve your NAfME/CMEA membership number
Directors must hold active membership in NAfME/CMEA prior to submitting any registration(s). Click here to either apply to join these associations or renew your membership.
One application covers your membership for both associations.
One application covers your membership for both associations.
Registration
$225 entry fee per ensemble
To register, create an account on Competition Suite.
After your account is set up, register your groups. Click on new group and enter your ensemble information.
Once registered, you will need to pay your invoice to secure your spot in the festival of your choice.
$225 entry fee per ensemble
To register, create an account on Competition Suite.
After your account is set up, register your groups. Click on new group and enter your ensemble information.
Once registered, you will need to pay your invoice to secure your spot in the festival of your choice.
STEP 6: Pay your festival entry fees
BY CHECK: If paying by check, you may submit an individual check for each entry, or a single check for multiple entries. Once received, payment confirmation will be sent via email. Please see the "PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS" section at the bottom of your invoice for further instructions.
MAILING ADDRESS:
2220 Otay Lakes STE 502
PMB: #733
Chula Vista, CA 91915
IMPORTANT: Failure to include copies of your invoice(s) when sending in your check(s) will incur a delay in the processing of your payment(s), and thus delay the confirmation of your performance(s).
ONLINE:
COMING SOON
BY CHECK: If paying by check, you may submit an individual check for each entry, or a single check for multiple entries. Once received, payment confirmation will be sent via email. Please see the "PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS" section at the bottom of your invoice for further instructions.
MAILING ADDRESS:
2220 Otay Lakes STE 502
PMB: #733
Chula Vista, CA 91915
IMPORTANT: Failure to include copies of your invoice(s) when sending in your check(s) will incur a delay in the processing of your payment(s), and thus delay the confirmation of your performance(s).
ONLINE:
COMING SOON
Read the following notices
Refund restrictions
For a full refund, directors must contact the instrumental music festival coordinator via email at least 30 calendar days prior to your registered festival date. Within 30 calendar days of your registered festival date, directors may still cancel their group's participation, however, no refund(s) will be issued.
Refund restrictions
For a full refund, directors must contact the instrumental music festival coordinator via email at least 30 calendar days prior to your registered festival date. Within 30 calendar days of your registered festival date, directors may still cancel their group's participation, however, no refund(s) will be issued.
If you have any questions or concerns about CMEA-SBS instrumental music festivals, please feel free to please contact our INSTRUMENTAL VP: Russell Shedd <[email protected]>, instrumental music festival coordinator.
