A collage of different student bands performing on a stage
York County's premier student music festival returns for the fourth year in a row!

YORK COUNTY STUDENT MUSIC FESTIVAL 2027 – ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS THROUGH 11/13

Submit Your Audition
Date:
February 13, 2027
Time:
6:00 pm
Venue: Capitol Theatre

The Appell Center is thrilled to announce the return of the fourth-annual York County Student Music Festival, showcasing the massive talents of local student musicians. Submissions are open for any performance group from York County schools, arts organizations or independent groups comprised mostly of York County students. Selected groups will have that chance to perform on the historic Capitol Theatre stage and work with a clinician to fine-tune their set. Previous clinicians have included Daniel Dowling (U.S. Air Force), Pete Lazorcik (Daisy Grenade) and Phillip Freeman (Small Town Titans).

Submission Rules:

  • Open to any solo performer or group with the majority of the members living in York County.
  • Groups may be affiliated with a school district or private school, or performing arts organization, or may be an independent act.
  • Submissions can be entered by teachers, parents or group members.
  • Groups should represent music genres that are traditionally underserved in schools. For example, rock; pop; small group jazz; R&B; Latin music; 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, volunteers, and teachers based on musicianship to create the most musically diverse program possible for the festival.
  • Submissions must adhere to the following:
    • MP4 video(s) sent as email attachments or with links to file sharing sites like Dropbox, WeTransfer or Google Drive
    • Submit a video that best represents the group’s abilities
    • The total length of the audition should not exceed 8 minutes
    • Please do not include your name or your group’s name on the video itself. In the email, please include:
      • Group name
      • Contact name
      • Contact email
      • Contact phone number
    • Email your submission and any questions or concerns to ajmyers@appellcenter.org
  • The timeline for selection is as follows:
    • September 14, 2026 – Submissions open
    • November 13, 2026 – Submission due by 11:59pm
    • On or around November 30, 2026 – Selected groups notified
  • Expectations for selected groups include the following:
    • Provide a short bio, description of the group and 2-3 photos by December 18, 2026
    • Provide own transportation to and from the Appell Center for the Performing Arts the day of the show (February 13, 2027)
    • Groups should plan to be at the Appell Center from approximately 4PM until 10PM, including sound check, time working with the guest clinician, and the performance.
    • There will be no guest list or free tickets for selected bands, other than band members and their chaperone.

Contact ajmyers@appellcenter.org with any questions.

 

 

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