How Positive Festival Results Impact a Music Program

Adjudicated festival ratings can affect developing musicians, ensemble directors, and music programs long after festival performances end. With prior research demonstrating that adjudicators provide an abundance of positive ratings at festivals, this article discusses how ratings—both appropriate and inappropriate—may influence students’ musical development and the growth of music programs, as well as ensemble directors’ professional development. Based on their personal teaching philosophies and the discussion points in this article, directors are encouraged to determine whether their current adjudicated festivals stimulate or obstruct the development of their students, their music programs, and themselves