Frequently Asked Questions

Each ensemble will be provided a festival host that will meet buses as they arrive. The hosts will explain the policies and procedures related to the festival, waterpark, and lunch/dinner. In addition, they will provide the waterpark and lunch/dinner passes and direct the group to their homeroom. Performing groups will also be escorted to the performance venue at the appropriate time.

Buses should temporarily park at the main Conference Center entrance. Students should remain on the buses while the director enters the Conference Center and meets with their Festival Host. The Festival Host will provide the directors with their warm-up room location, initial instructions for the day, and a packet of waterpark wristbands and pizza coupons. Directors will then return to their buses and unload their students & chaperones.

Upon arrival, each ensemble will be escorted to their homeroom to unpack and warm up, followed by a 40-minute slot for performance and clinic. Students will also be required to observe and critique the performance of another performing ensemble. There will be a lunch/dinner time where students will be provided with a slice of pizza, a bag of chips, and water/soda. In addition, students will have the option to receive a day pass to the water park which they will be able to use for a time period as determined by their director.

After dropping students at the Conference Center entrance, it is recommended that buses park in the lot on the West side of the building or on the back service road in proximity of the Conference Center.

The performance venue is the 5000+ square foot Grand Ballroom at Tundra Lodge which is capable of seating any size ensemble and a large audience. Each ensemble is assigned a separate 1000 square foot private homeroom area.

All chairs and music stands will be provided. In addition, please check the list of supplied percussion equipment. Anything not provided on the list will be the responsibility of each performing school. Please make sure all of your equipment is labeled with your school name prior to your arrival.

All ensembles will perform for a panel of adjudicators/clinicians that will each provide a critique but no ratings. Two will provide written comments, one will provide a recorded verbal critique, and one will work with the ensemble in a clinic format at the conclusion of their performance. Please check out our Festival Adjudicators and our adjudicator critique forms for band and orchestra.

is recommended that each ensemble perform 2 to 3 contrasting pieces that total no more than 15 minutes in length. This is to allow a minimum of 25 minutes of clinic time. Programs of multiple contrasting pieces allow the adjudicators/clinicians to provide the most comprehensive and educational critique and clinic possible.

This is intended to be a formal event and ensembles are expected to dress appropriately. Normal dress-up concert attire or band uniforms are highly encouraged. 

Yes, this event is supported by WSMA. Assuming WSMA clinic experience guidelines are met, which is the responsibility of the individual schools and not the Festival, participating in the NEW Festival of Music is a qualifier as part of the criteria for WSMA accreditation. https://wsmamusic.org/accreditation/ 

The ensemble fee of $300 covers the adjudicators and facility/equipment/technology costs. The student participant fee of $20 covers the day pass to the waterpark/arcade and the pizza lunch/dinner. Click here to view the forms. Participating ensembles will be provided with payment details.

Adult members of each party are welcome to purchase admission to the waterpark and a pizza lunch/dinner ticket for the same $20 fee as the students will pay. A $7.50 ticket will be available for adults who only want the lunch/dinner. Only adults serving in one of the aforementioned roles will be able to purchase waterpark or lunch/dinner tickets through the festival. In addition, a minimum of two complementary adult observer passes will be issued to each ensemble. This will allow two adults to enter into the waterpark in street clothes. These passes do not allow for utilization of the waterpark.

Students who have food allergies and cannot eat the pizza lunch/dinner have the option of bringing in their own food and would pay the $12.50 fee for the waterpark only.

Yes, concessions will be available throughout the day in the Waterpark. A variety of food and beverage items will be available for purchase. There is a no-carry-in policy in the waterpark. Tokens can be purchased for various arcade games. An ATM is available.

Ensembles are invited and accepted via direct communication from the festival planning team. Click here for the registration forms. Performance times and other festival activities will be scheduled by the planning team with consideration given to the preferences of the ensemble directors. Directors will be given the opportunity to request their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of performance times. The planning team will attempt to accommodate everyone's top choices. The team is confident the educational opportunities provided by this festival will be attractive enough to offset the inconvenience a less than ideal (but still workable) performance time may present.

If a pre-registered student is sick or cannot attend due to another unforeseen event, the waterpark pass can be returned for a voucher good for a future visit. There are no refunds for the lunch/dinner ticket.

The waterpark hours for April have not been released yet. Check the Tundra Lodge Website for the latest information.

It is at each director's discretion as to when students arrive and how much time they spend in the waterpark. However, please keep in mind that there will not be a space for schools to store their belongings until their designated check-in time. Locker rooms are available for students to change.

Yes. Directors should remind their students/chaperones that they are to remain in the conference center and waterpark/arcade areas throughout their time at Tundra Lodge.

Yes, the Tundra Lodge does have lockers available to rent if students would like one to store their belongings while using the waterpark.

Yes, family members can stay at Tundra Lodge on Thursday and/or Friday night for a discounted price while rooms are available. Reservations include four waterpark passes per room. Reservations can be made on an individual basis by calling 920-405-8700 at least one month in advance of the festival. Please request the NEW Festival of Music room block.