WHAT IS THE ALL-COUNTY FESTIVAL? 

The All-County Festival is a major performance festival hosted by the Nassau Music Educator's Association (NMEA) for band, chorus and orchestra.  It is split into different regions and divisions throughout the county.  The large performing ensembles consist of 300 students representing the different school districts across the county. Teachers select students from their home-school  band, chorus and orchestra, based on NYSSMA scores and recommendations, to be submitted to the All-County committee for acceptance.  The committee forms an ensemble with equal representation from each participating teacher/district.  Once the ensemble is chosen, the music is distributed to each school and the students' home-school teachers help prepare them for the Festival.  There are usually three rehearsals and one concert with a Guest Conductor.

The All-County groups are select in that the music is challenging and there is not much rehearsal time.  The rehearsals are demanding and sometimes, the students only work with the Guest conductor twice before the actual performance. 

For more information, please visit the NMEA website at http://www.nassaumusic.org/