Washington D.C. International Music Festival

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

April 12 – 16, 2024

Thank you for considering the Washington DC International Music Festival as your music performance tour. Due to the popularity and success of our combined instrumental and choral festival in Washington, DC, we continue to invite bands, orchestras, and choirs to audition, allowing schools the opportunity to present their entire music departments in one phenomenal event.

It is our mission to present young musicians with an experience that offers the opportunity for musical growth while creating lasting memories. To enhance this experience, the performance venue chosen for the festival is the prestigious The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Admission into the festival is based on audition only and is limited to three high school groups and one showcase university ensemble.

ENSEMBLES: High School, college and community bands, choirs and orchestras.

DURATION: 5 days

ACCEPTANCE: In order to ensure a quality experience, the festival is limited to a maximum of three adjudicated ensembles and one university/community showcase ensemble. Groups that are denied entry based on available festival capacity will be given first priority in the following year.

VENUES: Concert Hall of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and an outdoor venue in Washington DC (possibly the Lincoln, Jefferson, or WWII Memorial – weather permitting).

FACULTY: Dennis L. Johnson is the Festival Artistic Director.
Past faculty has included Dr. James McRoy – Long Island University, Dr. Terry Austin – Virginia Commonwealth University, Johan de Meij, Michael Colburn – United States Marine Band (retired) & Butler University, David Arrivée – California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo

AWARDS: Based on the performance level as perceived by the adjudication panel, each adjudicated group will receive a Gold, Silver, or Bronze award. There is no limit to the number of Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards.

STATUS: Accepting Applications for 2024

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