Find all the info you need to have a great day at the park right here!

  • Park and attractions are open from 10:00-4:00 - but you can come and go as you like! Performance times start at 9:00.
  • Check-in will be indoors near the souvenir shop's front entrance to the right.  Directors only, please. Make the final payment later in the day in the same office.
  • Have an exact count of students, chaperones, school employees, and meal deals ready when you arrive - your bill will be based on those numbers later in the day. ​​
  • Be ready to turn in your waivers for everyone attending, including chaperones, to participate in the music festival.  These can be found on the Entry Form / Waiver on our website.​
  • ​After check-in, take your students inside the park. For storage purposes, we will provide a location to call your "home base" and enjoy the day! On some days, cabanas will be reserved for you.
  • 30 minutes before warm-up, meet your students to dry off, throw on your t-shirt and shorts, and be ready to start their warm-up, performance, and clinic - all in the performance venue. 
  • Bands and orchestras perform in the theatre next door and choirs in the large party room inside the park. We'll meet your ensemble to escort them to the venue.
  • Choirs operate on a 20-minute schedule, and bands and orchestras on a 30, which includes a brief warm-up, performance, and a motivating, positive clinic.
  • Once you have performed - it’s back to the attractions!

Equipment Provided

​Provided for Choirs:
  • Choral Risers: 6 - 8 3-step risers (do not use the top step for safety reasons)
  • Electric pianos with amplification (full-size keyboard)
  • Playback systems: Bluetooth only, please (no cords)
  • If you use an mp3, such as an iPhone, please download all tracks BEFORE the festival.  Cell service and internet access are extremely limited at the park
  • Music Stands​ and one wired microphone on a stand
​​Provided for Bands and Orchestras:
  • Chairs and stands
  • Percussion Equipment (see below)
    • ​2 Timpani, 26-inch, and 29-inch
    • 1 Xylophone
    • 2 Marimbas
    • 1 Bass Drum

Our percussion equipment & choral equipment:

Awards & Literature

We'd like you to choose appropriate literature for your students this time of year. Please allow enough time for transition, warm-up, performance, and clinic within your allotted time. Most ensembles perform 1 or 2 pieces at the director's discretion, choirs rotate on a 20-minute schedule, and Bands and Orchestras on a 30-minute schedule. Suppose you are attending during one of the noncompetition months. In that case, we encourage you to perform music that fits that time of year, including no literature but fundamental clinics and vocal work.

Elementary Choirs - what's the difference between the Open and Invitational Choir Division? Open is a slightly lower standard of rating than Invitational. The Invitational Division only allows you to compete in the Best in Class category during the festivals we offer that award.

Ratings are 3 (Good), 2 (Excellent), or 1 (Superior), with pluses and minuses given at the director's discretion. Trophies are provided at the December, April, and May festivals, and October, February, and March festivals are designed to be clinics only.

In the April & May festivals, "Best in Class" awards are given to outstanding ensembles, provided there are at least 3 ensembles in your category on your performance day.

Examples of classes are:
Varsity, Non-Varsity, and Beginners (6th-grade choirs) for Middle School Band, Orchestra, and Choirs (not gender specific for choirs)
​Invitational Divisions only for Elementary Choirs (Open choirs selection is noncompetitive)

When is "Best in Class" awarded? Only after your judge has heard everyone in your category, they contact me immediately to catch you before you leave the park for the day - so I can get you your trophy. If you have already left for the day -  you will have to send someone back to pick it up later.