The National Orchestra Festival's Selection and Suitability of Repertoire:

The goal of the ASTA National Orchestra Festival® is to promote orchestral performance by students demonstrating their highest level of musicianship through well-chosen repertoire.

1. ASTA and our members value diversity in programming and performance. When selecting

repertoire, directors should keep in mind the educational validity of the entire program for their

group.

• The National Orchestra Festival will require accepted groups to include at least one composition by a composer from a historically marginalized group, such as but not limited to, women, Indigenous/Native, Black/African American/Hispanic/Latinx, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander, as part of their performance program.
• ASTA encourages accepted groups to include one work by a composer from an additional historically marginalized group, including LGBTQ+, women, and/or BIPOC composers.
• ASTA expects the performance program to include a breadth of musical styles, periods, and/or genres. Orchestras may choose to play eclectic styles repertoire, including but not limited to fiddle traditions, jazz, rock, world music, and more. Eclectic repertoire must adhere to ASTA's copyright policies (see #7).

2. Please note the following:

• ASTA recommends that directors carefully select suitable repertoire showcasing their students' musical and technical abilities.
• All selections should be near the same difficulty level, including commissioned or student-composed repertoire, which should be appropriate for the group's performance level.
• No solo concertos or baroque concerti grossi may be programmed.
• All members of the string section must perform on all selections.
• All full orchestra ensembles must include one string orchestra selection.

3. The NOF Committee must approve repertoire choices.

• A program submission form will be provided for you and must be used to submit your concert program to ASTA.
• All repertoire lists, including any potential substitute selections, should be submitted to the ASTA by the published deadline.
• If directors have questions about repertoire, please contact ASTA before the deadline.

4. When planning your NOF concert program, please remember that many publishers will be exhibiting at the National Conference and will do their best to bring any music being performed to display in the exhibit hall.

5. The National Orchestra Festival Adjudicators:

• Provide ratings and comments by measuring the success of each selection performed, not on the difficulty of the selection attempted. This applies to all categories and divisions.
• Competition winners are chosen for the musical success of their performance, not on the difficulty of the repertoire presented.
• Each musical selection is judged using the following criteria: Technique, Tone, Intonation, Rhythm, Musicianship, and Repertoire.
• Memorization of pieces or performances without a conductor and movement/choreography does not influence your group’s musical ratings, and no additional weight is given to groups performing in this style.
• Approaching adjudicators while the festival is in progress is not allowed. If the director has any questions, please consult with the NOF Chair.

6. A total number of four original music scores for each selection performed must be submitted to ASTA staff upon arrival.

• A representative from the NOF Committee will approve the music scores for festival use at this time.
• Three adjudicators and one clinician will then receive the music scores.
• All measures MUST be numbered in each of the four music scores provided for each selection.
• The version of the music performed on stage must be the same as the version of the music score presented to the adjudicators.

7. ASTA upholds all copyright laws, and in doing so, the following policies will be strictly enforced:

• All ensembles must adhere to copyright permissions for performance. Orchestras may select one manuscript for performance. Manuscript compositions may be programmed only if all copyrights have been cleared.
• A "manuscript" refers to any unpublished work. If the composer has self-published their arrangement, and they hold the copyright for that arrangement, it no longer falls under the manuscript category. If a piece has yet to be published, it would be considered a manuscript.
• Each music score must carry the full copyright information printed on the music score from the publisher. If the music score from the publisher appears to be a copy, the director must include a copy of the order form for the music scores submitted to that publisher and written permission to copy such music scores.
• Original compositions or new compositions are acceptable. Directors must secure permission for the copyright of all music scores and parts by the composer and publisher, if applicable. A letter of permission, complete with a signature from the composer (and publisher, if applicable), must be attached to each music score.
• IMSLP parts and scores are permissible, providing they adhere to U.S. (United States) copyright law and the URL link is clearly indicated on all music scores. However, an original music score is required if a music score is published.
• Any violation of the above copyright policies will disqualify the group from competing within the festival.