Application Process & Guidelines

Application Guidelines

• All ensembles taking part in the Festival will be chosen through this application process.
• You must have six or more members in your ensemble. If you have fewer than six performers, please apply through the Convention Proposal application. 
• Applicants may be invited to expand upon their submitted 22–25-minute program based on the adjudication process. Expanded programs will be requested on an as needed basis from select ensembles between March 1-31, 2026. Please do not submit more than the required 22–25-minute program with your initial application. 
• If selected, all members must be active NFA members and register for the convention. 
• If selected, the ensemble’s performance date and time will be determined by the program chair. All performances will be in the convention center.
• Chairs and Music Stands will be provided for the performance. You will need to provide your own music stand for rehearsals. NFA cannot provide pianos or other instruments for your performance. No other technology set up will be provided by NFA. 

Application Materials - General Information

• Applicant contact information, email address, demographic makeup of the ensemble, and a detailed description of your ensemble.
• Program title, condensed bio of the ensemble (300 characters or less) 
• Ensemble Conductor Name, Bio, and ensemble member names
• A 22–25-minute program of music (up to seven works). The program must fit within a 30-minute performance time slot that includes set-up, talking, and tuning. Include composers' and arrangers' information as well as timings. 
• Pieces on this program should be submitted in performance order. 

Application Materials - Confirmation Email & Recording/Program Upload

• You will receive a link via email to submit recordings and programs after you submit this form. 
• If you are using a .edu email address, please also add a personal email address within the application. 

Application Materials - Recording Information

• Two separate works OR two movements of a single work that contrast with one another.  These two works do not have to be part of your proposed program. 
• Each work/movement must be between 1-5 minutes in length. A continuous excerpt from a work that is trimmed to five minutes is acceptable if a desired application selection is longer than five minutes when performed in its entirety.    
• You should not submit more than ten minutes of total music with your application. 
• The two selections should be uploaded as separate SOUND FILES (mp3, wav, m4a, wma). VIDEOS ARE NOT ACCEPTED! You may use or trim an existing recording of your ensemble that was recorded after January 1, 2025. It is preferred that you use a sound file from a recording session or live performance that took place after July 31, 2025.

The NFA is committed to meeting the accessibility needs of all convention participants. Presenters whose proposals are accepted will be asked if they have accessibility needs as part of the session confirmation process so the NFA may provide the necessary support.