What to Expect on Saturday

What to Expect on Saturday

To help you and all our young performer(s) prepare for the 2025 Pelham Music Festival, we thought it would be helpful to lay out what to expect on Saturday. You might also like to watch this video (taken at the 2019 festival, before we partnered with Liz Farrell Photography), to get a sense of the experience.

When to arrive: Performers should arrive 30 minutes before their session is scheduled to start.*
*Those in a school ensemble should arrive 15 minutes earlier than this, to allow for the group photo.

Where: Pelham Country Club, 940 Wynnewood Rd, Pelham, NY 10803. The image above shows you what it looks like from the outside.

What to wear: Performers should be dressed appropriately for a formal recital; audience members should look smart.

Note: As this year’s festival is taking place after PCC has closed for the season, we have been able to set up the Photo Studio in a larger space (the Grill Room), so have a slightly different layout.

Here’s the process…

  1. Come in through the main entrance and follow the corridor to your left, as in previous years.
  2. Follow the signs directing you to the check-in desk (through the doors, on the right this year).
  3. Performers will be checked off our list and directed to the photo studio.
  4. If you need additional tickets for the adults in your party, you can purchase them in advance, or at the check-in desk using Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal. Remember, kids get in free.  Friends and family can use this link, too — the more, the merrier!
  5. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase, or you can buy them online until Friday.
  6. Don’t forget to pick up a program! (Click here to view an advance copy.)
  7. Please leave outer garments at our coat-check area (in a new location this year).
  8. In the photo studio, one of our volunteers will make sure your performer’s image is captured by amazing local photographer Liz Farrell. Click here to see examples of her work in our #PMF24 gallery.
    Note: PMF Portraits are delivered as a high-res digital download — families will receive a separate email with access credentials.
  9. While the performers are being photographed, please wait quietly in the lobby so as not to disturb the session in progress.
  10. After their photo is taken, young musicians will exit the photography area and join family and friends in the lobby.
  11. Light snacks are available for purchase while you are waiting. These should not be consumed during the recital!
  12. You will be invited to enter the recital space once the prior session has finished, and the room has cleared.
  13. Find somewhere to sit, relax, and enjoy the performance!
    Note: the performers sit separately from the audience.

Also, please remember the rehearsal opportunities on Thursday and Friday from 3:30pm to 8pm, which are offered on a first come, first served, basis — no appointment is necessary, just turn up and wait your turn. A PMF volunteer will be on hand for support and questions.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at #PMF25 in just a few days!