Logo

March 28 Lincoln Area Federation Festival

Tuesday, February 10, 2015 by Debra B Heald | Festival

Saturday March 28, at Fellowship Community Church, 8601 Holdrege Street, Lincoln, NE 68505.

It's time to sign up for Festival! Most students are already working on at least one Festival piece - since I do not know who will commit ahead of time, I usually give everyone who is in their second year (or higher) of lessons Festival music over Christmas break. So almost everyone is prepared to participate! I recommend participation for as many as possible - Festival is meant to be a fun and motivating event for students.

The cost is $22 for a solo and a theory test. A student can take just the theory test for $9. If this is your first year of lessons and/or not quite ready to perform, I recommend that you take the theory test on site. This will give the student a chance to participate and see how things work without the stress of performing.

Performance times will be available throughout the day. If you have a specific need, please indicate that when you commit (send me a text or email or inform me at lessons). You will need to allow approximately 45 minutes for performance (15 minute early arrival + 30 minute performance) and 30 - 60 minutes for test taking. Most students would use 30 minutes or less for the test, but there is not a time limit. Students perform in small groups of approximately 4-6 students, and an audience is welcome. (Invite your friends and relatives.)

I have already signed you up! I put my best guess/recommendation on my website "sign up". Please check your sign up on my website: www.encore-studio.com    Go to the calendar page (after signing in) and then go to February 21 on the calendar. If you do not go online and check, you will get an email from the website "reminding" you of your registration. If a student is signed up, the website will automatically put a Festival charge on your account, which you can pay with your regular payment or by the first lesson in March. If you are signed up and you don't want to be, remove yourself, or if you are not signed up and you want to be, sign up! Reminder: if you have a legitimate conflict on March 28 (or become suddenly ill) a makeup judging can be done. Please don't abuse this privilege, it is meant for truly unavoidable circumstances.

From the Nebraska Federation of Music Site:

Junior Festival is the National Federation of Music Clubs' annual performance event for students of all levels of talent and advancement.  It is administered at the local level by each local club, under the auspices of the State and National organizations.

Junior Festival is not a competition, but rather an opportunity for the students to perform two memorized pieces of music for an adjudicator and an audience.  The student's performance is judged individually and is not compared to the performance of other students.

By participating in Junior Festival each year students earn points towards receiving a National Gold Cup, or trophy.  Each successive Gold Cup is a little bigger than the previous one.  It takes a minimum of three years to earn each Gold Cup.

Junior Festival performance covers all instrument families, both solo and ensemble, as well as vocal performance.  It also includes Hymn Playing, Theory, Composition, and Improvisation.  Rules set by National must be adhered to.  Registration fees are set by the local club, a portion of which must be sent to the State organization.

In Nebraska, students who receive four or more consecutive Superior ratings in one event may participate in the Nebraska Federation of Music Clubs Junior Division State Honors Recital.

There is also a category for physically or mentally challenged students.  Exceptions to some of the National guidelines are made for these students.

Reviews:

Mrs. Heald was an excellent teacher. When my daughters were just starting she was so patient and kind with the little ones. As they continued she not only was their piano instructor but became a life-long mentor. We are looking forward to starting the next generation of our family with her. I highly recommend her!

Susan B


My son has been taking lessons from Debra for three years.  The first two years were in person and the last was online.  My daughter started taking lessons this last year online.  I was a little bit worried how online would go since she is only 6, but is has been great!  Debra is easy to work with and my kids say that she makes learning the piano fun!

Sara Y


Debra Heald is amazing piano teacher. She taught all three of my kids, and I have been taking lessons from her as an adult student for several years. One of her best strengths as a teacher is figuring out ways for everyone to be successful at piano. She is extremely knowledgeable about music and theory but also has a calm teaching approach.

DeeAnn W