NFMC Festival in Gwinnett County MTA Festivals

The Federated Festival is a non-competitive music evaluation program sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC). Students perform before an adjudicator, receive written evaluations and ratings, and earn points toward NFMC Gold Cup awards while developing their musicianship in a supportive environment.

Central Gwinnett Sr Club

Festival Date: Saturday, March 20, 2027
Location: First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville
Chair: Lisa Ogg lisa.ogg83@gmail.com
Co-Chair: Kathy Dawal kdawal81@gmail.com
Events: Piano (all events and ensembles), fretted strings, non-fretted strings, theory. For additional events, contact event chair.

Central Federated Festival Lunch Order

North Gwinnett Sr Club

Festival Date: Saturday, March 6th, 2027
Location: First Baptist Church of Duluth, 2908 Duluth Hwy #120, Duluth, GA 30096
Chair: Young Lee eyoung20@gmail.com
Co-Chair: Melissa Slocum bwcagrl@gmail.com
Events: Piano (all events and ensembles), Voice, Theory

North Federated Festival Lunch Order

West Gwinnett Sr Club

Festival Date: Saturday, February 27, 2027
Location: Berean Baptist Church, Lilburn
Location: Berean Baptist Church, Lilburn, 1405 Hewatt Rd SW, Lilburn, GA 30047
Chair: Rebecca Bonam rbonam@bbclilburn.org

Registration Deadlines

There are several important Registration Deadlines:

August 24, 2026: Sr. Club Dues Payment Due to GCMTA

Senior Club Membership Registration

October 15, 2026: Jr. Club Roster & Payment Due to Georgia NFMC

Junior Club Registration
Log in to Members Area, Select Junior Club Registration

January 29, 2027: Student Registrations in Vivace Due, Payments to GCMTA

Student Registration in Vivace

Payments to GCMTA

Zelle: events@gcmta.org

Checks
Nancy Morris
3125 Dogwood Creek Pkwy
Duluth, GA 30096
pianowithnancy@gmail.com

Festival Applicant List (for use by teachers only. DO NOT SUBMIT)

Festival SCJM Form JR-3-13

What Teachers Need to Know About District Festival Participation

Teachers

- Read emails from your current District Chair regarding all procedures, deadlines, and updates.
- GCMTA membership, Sr. Club Dues & Jr. Club Dues and Rosters must be completed no later than Nov. 30th, 2026.
- Teachers must Register all Students and musical selections through the NFMC Vivace online registration system.
- Your District Chair will send an invoice for your total amount due for all Participant Registrations.
- Submit one payment to GCMTA for all Participant Registrations. Payment may be made by check to the GCMTA Treasurer, or via Zelle at:
  - $28 for the first event per student
  - $15 for each additional event
- Submit Specially Capable Junior Musician forms (when applicable) with registration.
- Print individual student rating sheets from Vivace.
- Use the current NFMC Festival Bulletin and online bulletin and verify all literature updates.
- Work before and/or during the festival:
  - 7 or fewer students: Half-day plus setup or cleanup
  - 8 or more students: Full-day commitment
- Accept a festival responsibility by coordinating with your district chair.
- Enter students in only one district festival unless approved through official scheduling procedures.

Students

Students participating in Federated Festival must:

- Be current NFMC Junior members (under age 19 as of March 1) or eligible Senior members.
- Perform required festival literature as listed in the current NFMC Bulletin.
- Perform one required piece and one approved choice piece.
- Perform from memory unless the category allows otherwise.
- Bring one adjudicator copy of the music with measure numbers clearly marked. No Photocopies are allowed.
- Remove the teacher’s name from the adjudicator’s score.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled performance time.
- Provide an accompanist or accompaniment equipment when required.

Student Registration in Vivace

- Registration is completed through the NFMC Vivace website.
- Scheduling requests may or may not be allowed depending on your district. Contact your District Chair for rules. If you District does allow scheduling requests for the Festival day, those should be limited to simple requests such as AM, or PM.
- Late registrations cannot be accepted.
- Cash and individual student checks are not accepted.
- Teachers will receive schedules and festival information by email after registration closes.

During the Festivals

- Teachers are required to work before or during their District Festival. Teachers and volunteers are the heart of the Festivals. We serve as room monitors, runners, registrars, check out workers, and set up and clean up crews. The positive feedback we always hear from teachers is how much they enjoyed seeing their colleagues and getting caught up during these events.
- Teachers and parents are not allowed in the adjudication rooms with the students and judges. Judging is considered closed. Students receive their comment and rating sheets right after their performance so they can read their comments and see their score.
- Each District Festival handles Comment & Rating Sheets, Certificates, and some other procedures a bit differently. Your District Chair will advise you and answer questions throughout the year.

Rules

Literature

- Photocopies of music are prohibited.
- Choice pieces must be original editions—not arrangements or simplified versions.
- Both selections must be at the same level of difficulty.
- Follow all literature requirements published in the current NFMC Festival Bulletin.

Festival Ratings

Students receive one of the following ratings:

- Superior
- Excellent
- Satisfactory
- Fair
- Needs Improvement

Ratings earn points toward the NFMC Gold Cup program. Students who earn a Superior rating are generally expected to advance to the next class the following year unless otherwise noted in the NFMC Bulletin.

Scheduling

- Morning or afternoon requests may be submitted but cannot be guaranteed. Some Districts may not allow scheduling requests.
- Students with unavoidable conflicts may request to perform at another district or virtual festival, subject to approval from both District Chairs.
- Teachers entering students in another district may also be required to volunteer at that festival.

Festival Day

- Students report to the registration desk at least 15 minutes before their performance.
- Judging sessions are closed to parents and guests.
- Students receive written evaluations and ratings for NFMC credit.
- Performers are responsible for providing any required accompanists or equipment.
- Certificates are available to teachers the day of the festival.

Scholarships

Eligible students may qualify for district scholarships in selected categories, including piano, voice, strings, guitar, and wind instruments. Scholarship eligibility, award amounts, and requirements vary by district and are determined annually.

Please Note: All festival procedures are governed by the current NFMC Junior Festivals Bulletin. Information published on this page is subject to change. Teachers should follow the most current instructions provided by their GCMTA Festival Chair.

After the Festivals

Gold Cups

- Gold Cups are ordered through Vivace by District Chairs and submitted to our Georgia NFMC for ordering. District Chairs do not have control over shipping times.
- When Gold Cups are received, teachers are notified by their District Chair or other volunteer and cups may be picked up by teachers for distribution to their students.
- From May through October the national organization (NFMC) is open to receiving requests to add composers to the Vivace database. Requests should be sent via email to: Sandra Preysz at sandrapreysz@msn.com

You will need to submit the following:

Composer’s Date of Birth

Composer’s Ethnicity/Nationality

It also helps to submit any other information like YouTube clips/links to the pieces you want included in the database.

- Teachers are responsible for updating student records in Vivace and making sure names are spelled correctly.
- Student Transfers from one studio to another should be requested in the off season, and not between Dec 1st and the festival date.