Florida Federation of Music Clubs

Junior festival is an annual noncompetitive event held in 10 different sites around the state. In fiscal year 2023-2024 we had 6,738 junior entries, 7 group entries, 21 adult entries, and 400 teachers participating. The pieces performed are selected from a national bulletin of selections by only american composers. (the mission of the Federation is to promote american Music). Their second piece is another piece of equal difficulty. Students receive a written evaluation of their audition and a rating. If they receive the best rating (superior) they are eligible to enter our competitive event: junior convention. The junior convention was held live at usf, tampa.

Ffmc collegiate vocal awards competition originated in december, 1951 to encourage promising young Florida female vocal students. Since 2006, the auditions have been open to male contestants as well. Auditions used to be held on the first friday and saturday of october, but beginning in 2016 the auditions were changed to coincide with stephen foster day in january. Qualified judges select two female finalists. One is crowned jeanie and receives a $2,000 scholarship; the jeanie maid is awarded $1,000 plus a $500 honorable mention to the jeanie participant. These same judges also select two male vocalists, one to receive the stephen title and award of $2,000 and $1,000 for runner-up. Our hope is that these scholarship winners will use their awards to continue their vocal studies.

Federation cup (formerly called festival cup) is a reward system to motivate students to continue with their musical education. Points are earned at the annual area festival for each rating. Festival cups are earned when accumulating 15; 30; 45; 60; 75 and 90 points. The most points a student can receive at the early levels for each event is five points. Consequently, it takes the students at least 3, 6, and 9 years respectively to receive the early cups. As they become more advanced they can combine jr iii and senior concerto points with solo points allowing for the bigger cups. We have found that students who may need one or two points for the next larger cup will continue lessons to earn the next cup. Consequently, they make it over a slump and become rejuvenated again. For last fiscal year, we ordered the following cups for Florida: 805-15 point cups; 261-30 point cups; 84-45 point cups; 28-60 point cups 4-75 point cups and 2-90 point cups. Silver cups for adults: 1-15 point cups. Total 1,185 Federation cups awarded.

Student/collegiate, district president scholarship