Western District Music Festival
What is it?
The Western District Music Festival is a two-day festival that brings together advanced student musicians from across Western Massachusetts to perform in four auditioned large ensembles (Chorus, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra) directed by different guest conductors each year.
The Junior Festival is open to students in grades 6–9.
The Senior Festival is open to students in grades 9–12.
Students in grade 9 may audition for one or both festivals.
When is it?
2025–2026 Senior Festival
Auditions:
Saturday, November 8 (snow date: 11/15)
Time slots are assigned after registration
Festival Day 1:
Saturday, January 10 (snow date: 1/11)
Rehearsal: 9:00am–3:00pm
Festival Day 2:
Saturday, January 17 (snow date: 1/18)
Rehearsal: 9:00am–3:00pm
Concert: 3:00pm
2025–2026 Junior Festival
Auditions:
Saturday, December 6 (snow date: 12/13)
Time slots are assigned after registration
Festival Day 1:
Saturday, February 28 (snow date: 3/1)
Rehearsal: 9:00am–3:00pm
Festival Day 2:
Saturday, March 7 (snow date: 3/8)
Rehearsal: 9:00am–3:00pm
Concert: 3:00pm
Where is it?
Auditions:
Catherine Dower Center for the Performing and Fine Arts, Westfield State University
Festival rehearsals and concert:
Minnechaug Regional High School, Wilbraham, MA
Policies
ELIGIBILITY
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Students who attend a public or private school with a music program may audition for an MMEA Festival only if they perform in a school ensemble, and they must be registered to audition by their school ensemble director.
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If and only if a student’s school does not have a music program or ensemble, a private teacher may register that student.
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A homeschool student who does not perform in a school ensemble may be registered by their parent/guardian.
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Students should audition only if they are available for both rehearsals in their entirety and the concert.
MULTIPLE AUDITIONS
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Students may audition on more than one instrument or for more than one ensemble.
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Each audition requires a separate registration in Avenir and will incur a separate audition fee. Example: A student auditions on voice, violin, and jazz piano; the student is registered in Avenir three times, and the audition fee is tripled.
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Students should indicate their instrument/ensemble preference on the Student Endorsement Form. Student preferences will be considered, but the final decision regarding ensemble placement will be made by the ensemble managers.
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Double voice auditions are not allowed (e.g. auditioning as both soprano and alto).
REGISTRATION & FEES
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NAfME membership is required to register students for MMEA festivals and auditions.
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Individual student checks are not accepted. Please provide one school check or purchase order. Cash is also accepted.
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The audition fee for on-time registrations is $15 per audition, or $30 per audition for late and walk-in registrations. The Principal Form, Student Endorsement Forms, and payment are due at auditions. Registered students who do not show up will not be refunded.
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Teachers must register their accepted students for the festival within one week of auditions. The festival fee for on-time registrations is $30 per student, or $50 per student for late registrations. The Principal Form and payment are due at the first festival rehearsal. Registered students who do not show up will not be refunded.
CONFLICTS & ATTENDANCE
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Audition times are assigned after the registration period. Teachers may request an audition time for students with time constraints on the day of auditions. Time requests must be submitted at least two weeks before auditions.
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Teachers may request a video audition for students with unavoidable conflicts on the day of auditions. Video audition requests must be submitted at least two weeks before auditions and must be approved by the Executive Board.
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Students accepted to the festival are expected to participate, and must attend both rehearsals in their entirety and the concert. Conflicts cannot be accommodated. Appropriate documentation is required (e.g. doctor's note, etc.) in the event of illness, injury, or other unexpected emergencies. Accepted students who fail to fulfill this obligation will be disqualified from participating in all MMEA festivals for the remainder of the academic year and the following academic year.
SUPERVISION & TRANSPORTATION
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Teachers should attend MMEA events to supervise their students for the duration of the event. If a teacher cannot attend an MMEA event, they must designate a supervisor by submitting a Designated Supervisor Form.
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Students are not permitted to drive themselves to MMEA events.
Specific audition requirements for each instrument can be found here:
Senior Festival Audition Requirements • Junior Festival Audition Requirements
Forms, deadlines, and registration instructions can be found here: