Period Festivals

Each year, students of OMTA Portland teachers have the opportunity to perform in three period music festivals: the Baroque Festival, the Classical Festival, and the Romantic Festival. Students entered in each festival perform a piece composed in the musical period represented by the festival’s name. For example, students registered for the Romantic Festival perform music composed during the Romantic Period of music.

OMTA Portland festivals are open to students age 5 through 18. Each student may enter in a competitive or non-competitive capacity. Participants perform or compete within their own age group. Each age group is adjudicated by a master instructor/adjudicator, who may provide each student with a written critique of his performance as well as a certificate of participation. Competitive students who give particularly strong performances (as determined by the master/adjudicator) are awarded with trophies or medals. If time permits, the adjudicator may invite some or all of the students to the instrument for a short master class. During the master class session, the adjudicator may give the student advice on how to play his piece even better. The adjudicator may share information about the piece’s composer, demonstrate how to play certain passages, or help a student fix common technical errors. The master class is a particularly exciting and educational part of the festival because it is held in front of the audience, all of whom can benefit from the master’s comments about each piece.

If you would like your child to participate in one of OMTA Portland's period festivals, talk to your OMTA teacher.