Appell Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to host the third annual York County Student Music Festival, showcasing the up-and-coming musical talent in and around York County.

Join us on February 14th in the historical Capitol Theatre as groups from across the region perform music from pop to rock to R&B and support the next generation of live music! Selected groups will have the chance to work with a guest clinician and then perform on the Capitol Theatre stage!

Submission Rules

• Open to any group or solo performer that the majority of the members live in York County.
• Acts may be affiliated with a school district or private school, performing arts organization, or an independent act
• Groups may be submitted by teachers, parents, or group members
• The festival is open to all music genres, but special consideration will be given to music genres that are typically underserved in school. For example, rock, pop, small group jazz, hip-hop R&B, Latin music, classical chamber, etc.
• The majority of performers in each group must be in high school. The maximum age for a performer is 21
• Groups will be selected by a panel of Appell Center staff. Groups will be selected based on musicianship and to create the best, most varied program possible for the festival

Submissions should adhere to the following: 

• Submissions should be videos, and submitted as MP4s through email or with links to file sharing sites like Dropbox, We Transfer, or Google Drive
• The submission should include two contrasting songs that best represent the group’s abilities. The total length of the audition should be less than 8 minutes.
• Please do not include your name or your group’s name on the video itself. In the email submission, please include:
  • Group name
  • Contact name
  • Contact email
  • Contact phone number
  • Email submission and any questions or concerns to ajmyers@appellcenter.org

The timeline for selection is as follows:

• Now – Submissions Open
• November 10, 2025 – Submission Due @ Midnight
• On or around December 1, 2025 – Selected Groups Notified

Expectations for selected groups include the following: 

• Provide a short bio or description of the group, and 2 – 3 photos for marketing by December 15, 2025
• Provide their own transportation to and from the Appell Center for the Performing Arts the day of the show, February 14, 2026
• Groups should plan to be at the Appell Center from approximately 3PM until 10PM, including sound check, time working with the guest clinician, and the performance
• There will be no guest list for selected bands