STATE SOLO and SMALL ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL

Registration Deadline: February 24, 2026 (Class 3A); March 3, 2026 (Class 2A); March 10, 2026 (Class 1A/4A)
Penalty Deadline: March 2, 2026 (Class 3A); March 9, 2026 (Class 2A); March 16, 2025 (Class 1A/4A)
Festival Date: March 28, 2026 (Class 3A); April 11, 2026 (Class 2A); April 18, 2026 (Class 1A/4A)

Registration Fee: $15.00 per entry

2026 SPRING SITE ASSIGNMENTS (Updated February 12, 2026)

2026 IHSMA Outstanding Performance Showcase

• • 2026 IHSMA Outstanding Performance Showcase – SCHEDULE
  • Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
  • Location:  Simon Estes Music Hall, Iowa State University, Ames – Directions
  • 2026 Outstanding Performance Showcase – Student and Director DETAILS

2025 Outstanding Performance Award Winners

2024 Outstanding Performance Showcase Program

Registration:

• Festival Central Login – Online Registration, Scheduling, Judge Evaluation, and Adjudication Form completion!
  • • Online Registration Instructions
• Directors
  • Solo and Small Ensemble Festival Regulations
  •  U.S. Copyright Law and IHSMA Festivals
  • Initial Schedule Instructions

CLASS 3A: State Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, Saturday, March 28

• Atlantic
• Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City
• Central DeWitt
• Clarke, Osceola
• Clear Lake
• Grinnell
• Independence
• Spencer

CLASS 2A: State Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, Saturday, April 11

• Aplington-Parkersburg
• Clarinda
• Eagle Grove
• Lawton-Bronson
• Mediapolis
• Monticello
• North Fayette Valley
• Pella Christian
• Western Christian, Hull

CLASS 4A: State Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, Saturday, April 18

• Cedar Rapids, Jefferson
• Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson
• Marshalltown
• Pleasant Valley
• Waterloo, East
•  

Sample Adjudication Forms:

• Percussion Solo Adjudication Form
• Percussion Ensemble Adjudication Form
• Solo Adjudication Form
• Small Ensemble Adjudication Form
• Piano Solo/Duet Adjudication Form
  • Piano – Suggested Repertoire

Student Comment Forms:

• Strings
• Vocal
• Winds

Certificates:

• Superior Rating – Division I
• Excellent Rating – Division II
• Participation

Information for Parents/Students:

• Solo/Small Ensemble Introduction Scripts
• Information on Eligibility to Receive Awards
• Festival Awards Order Form
• Request for Permission to Arrange
• Inquiry Form on Out-of-Print Copyrighted Music
• Parent/Student Letter – Keeping the Solo/Small Ensemble Festival experience in perspective.

 

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