FAQ

Registration for the Pelham Music Festival typically opens a week or so before Thanksgiving.  Keep an eye on this website, our Facebook page, and Instagram for our “Registration is Open!” post.

Registration for the Pelham Music Festival typically closes on the third Monday of December, though some years might be a little later. 

Yes. Please dress appropriately for a formal performance. You should also be aware that Pelham Country Club has a dress code that precludes t-shirts, jeans and sneakers, and this applies to both performers and audience.

There is no required skill level, but please make sure you are well prepared, and able to perform the piece you have selected.

You do not.

That’s OK. You can register without giving us the name of your piece, but we do need to know by the last Friday before Pelham Schools break for the winter holiday so we can build the schedule. Don’t worry – we will remind you by email.

In general, no, but we recognize that some of our younger performers play very short pieces. In these instances, two pieces are permitted as long as the total time is less than 2 minutes.

To allow the maximum number of people the opportunity to perform, we do not allow multiple solos by the same individual, although you are welcome to take part in duets and ensembles.

Anything you can get into the venue!

We encourage them! You are welcome to perform in multiple ensembles.
Please also refer to the cost and ticket questions below.

You register as a duet, and enter your teacher’s name as the accompanist when you get to that part of the form.

It costs $50 to register for a solo performance.
If you are registering a duet or small ensemble, the cost is still $50.  One person completes the registration online, enters the names of all performers, and makes a single payment.   Typically, families then split the cost between them.
Please also refer to the ticket questions below.

School ensembles are not charged to perform at the festival, so you do not have to pay for them – but you will have to purchase a ticket for each person coming to watch.

If cost of entry is prohibitive, please reach out using the [Contact Us] form.  We do have a small number of scholarships.

We cannot provide amplification, and need to avoid trailing cables and other trip hazards. If you wish to bring and use your own equipment, please reach out to us using the [Contact Us] form to discuss the details and avoid safety risks.

Performances typically last between 1 and 5 minutes, depending on age and proficiency. Please enter your time accurately as we use these times to build our program, and ensure each session fits within its slot. If performers play longer than indicated, we risk the session overrunning, so please check your time before entering it.

If you would like to perform with a piano accompanist, and do not have one, we can help put you in touch with somebody skilled at accompanying young performers. 

NYSSMA participation is not a requirement, and many performers do not do it. We ask because NYSSMA level is one of the many factors we can use to help us put together a balanced festival program.
NYSSMA stands for the New York State School Music Association, and is the NY State unit of NAfME (National Association for Music Education). Each year, around 100,000 students participate in their Spring adjudication festivals, at one of 6 levels, from relative beginner to accomplished musician.

The day is split out into 6 sessions, each of which is about 90 minutes long, separated by a short interlude during which festival alumni or other special guests perform.

Yes. The Pelham Country Club is available on the two days prior to the performance date for limited rehearsals from 3-9 pm. There is no sign up; just show up and play.

No. Ticket holders may stay for as many sessions as they wish, as long as seats are available. Seating priority is given to guests of that session’s performers.

Each solo performer is entitled to bring 2 guests. To make sharing allocated tickets easier for families whose children are in a duet or small ensemble, each of these performers may bring a single guest: 2 tickets for a duet; 3 tickets for a trio; etc. If you are performing as part of a school ensemble, your guests will each need to purchase a $10 ticket. These are available through our website at the time of registration, or at the venue on the day of the festival.

No. School ensembles are not charged to enter Pelham Music Festival. Your guests will each need to purchase a $10 ticket. These are available through our website, or at the venue on the day of the festival.

Yes. They cost $10 and can be purchased through our website, or at the venue on the day of the festival using Zelle, Venmo or PayPal (or cash).
Note: Zella charges us the lowest fees; PayPal the highest.

No, we do not charge for children. Our mission is to encourage a love of music performance, and believe that children coming to support their siblings and friends – and being exposed to other performances in the process – is a great way to do this.

No. We just check you off our list when you arrive at the festival.

Performances take place in the Weihman Room of the Pelham Country Club, which is set up to hold about 100 people.

No. We provide these.

Pelham Music Festival takes place on a single day. The program comprises a series of 90-minute sessions of musicians grouped (approximately) by age and ability, starting with the youngest performers around 9am and ending with high schoolers in the 7pm session.  Between each session is a musical interlude by festival alumni and other local musicians.

We will advise you by email in early January, and ask you to confirm receipt.

We aim to group performers by age and ability, to create a balanced and mutually-supportive program. This makes it difficult to accommodate time slot requests but, if you have a genuine need, please reach out to us using the [Contact Us] form and we will discuss it with you.

Unless your children are close in age and ability, they are likely to be in different sessions. To build a balanced program, and to avoid performers judging themselves against those older and more experienced, we group children by age and ability.

Please arrive 30 minutes before your session is scheduled to start to allow time for photos, bathroom break, some deep breathing, a quick snack, etc. All sessions must start on time to allow such a complex schedule to stay on track.

Please plan to arrive 30 minutes before your session is scheduled to start, for the reasons noted above. Guests will not be seated during a performance. We have very little flexibility on scheduling and late arrivals risk missing their opportunity to perform.

No. Out of respect to all the performers, we ask that nobody leave while the recital is in session.

Water will be provided to the performers. A limited selection of refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase at the PCC.

Yes, after the long covid-induced hiatus, we want to make sure the 2023 festival feels extra special.  This year, a professional portrait of each performer will be taken by local photographer Liz Farrell.  We wanted to maintain the photo tradition but make it more contemporary and “instagrammable”.  The images will be delivered as a high-resolution digital download.

Professional portrait photos are taken of each performer immediately after check-in.   After the festival, the photographer will work her magic, which takes a little time.  The beautiful images will be available in about 2 weeks.

To view and download the high-resolution digital image(s) after the festival, you will need to log into the Liz Farrell Photography (LFP) website.  As part of the PMF registration process, you will be asked to give us permission to share your email address with LFP for the sole purpose of creating an account on their website.  We will then provide you with you log-in credentials, and detailed instructions on how to view and download your professional portrait photo.

No. Photos to memorialize your performance are part of PMF history, and included in your registration fee.

We will use photos and videos to help promote the festival and its mission to encourage a love of music among Pelham students.

Yes, but please be discreet, and respectful to the performer and other audience members. Flash photography is NOT permitted.

Yes! We love cashless payments, and are aiming to go completely cashless soon.
Note: Zella charges us the lowest fees; PayPal the highest.

Donations made to the Pelham Music Festival, for which nothing is received in return, are tax deductible; your registration fee, and payment for any additional tickets are not.

The current PMF board comprises (in alphabetical order) Andrew Dolgon, Rose Horley, Colleen Maiberger, Josh Wallach, and Paula Wood. In addition, Maria Abeshouse, Anne Boorman, Amy Hersh, and Sheila Simpson continue to serve as music advisors &/or school liaison. Key volunteers and performance-order consultants include Jess Solomon and Ellen Weiss.
Bob Eicher is the festival’s founder and ongoing benefactor.

There are many ways you can help make Pelham Music Festival a great success, including just taking part! For more info on volunteering, please visit the [Volunteer] page. And remember – Middle and High School kids can earn community service hours through helping at the Festival.
Financial contributions are also very welcome. You can donate on the day using Zelle, Venmo, PayPal or even cash.  You can also use our [Donate] page, where payments can be made by PayPal or credit card.