2025 Flute Ensemble Festival

53rd Annual NFA Convention
Atlanta, GA
August 7-10, 2025

A flute choir performs in a convention center lobby. a sign reads "flute ensemble festival"

Bring Your Flute Ensemble to the NFA Convention!

About the Festival

The 2025 Flute Ensemble Festival gives flute ensembles and flute choirs the opportunity to perform at the NFA Convention. Opportunities will include performances, pre-gala concerts, showcases, and educational events. All ensembles will be anonymously adjudicated for placement within the festival and events will be tailored to suit each ensemble. All Flute Ensemble Festival activities will take place during the NFA Convention from Aug. 7-10, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

Mary H. Anderson Collegiate Flute Choir Award

The top-placed collegiate flute choir will receive the Mary H. Anderson Collegiate Flute Choir Award. The Award includes a grant of $1,000 to go toward convention registration for the flute choir, use of the Mary H. Anderson contrabass flute, a dedicated 25-minute concert, and the naming of the flute choir as the Mary H. Anderson Collegiate Flute Choir. This initiative is supported by the Mary H. Anderson Endowment Fund.

Apply to be a Part of the NFA's 2025 Flute Ensemble Festival!

This is your chance to bring your ensemble to the NFA Convention. The festival will include traditional NFA convention performances as well as opportunities for a variety of ensembles. Ensembles of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to apply. We will accept applications from flute ensembles (groups of six or more flutes).

Applications for the 2025 Flute Ensemble Festival will open on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024. Applications will be due on Monday, November 18th at 11:59pm CT. Late applications will not be considered.

To Apply for the Festival:

Step 1: NFA Membership

An active individual NFA membership is required to submit an application to the Flute Ensemble Festival. Ensure that the person submitting the application holds an up-to-date membership. You can learn more about NFA membership here.

Step 2: Read the Guidelines

Below are detailed application guidelines. Please read them carefully before you begin preparing your materials. You must format your program and your recordings according to these guidelines.

Step 3: Prepare the Application Materials

Each application must include:

TWO audio recordings, each less than 5 minutes in length.
Your proposed program for the festival, in performance order.

Please read the detailed guidelines below as you prepare your application. You must follow the formatting instructions for your recordings and program.

Step 4: Submit the Online Application

Submit your proposal in our Member Portal. You must be prepared to complete the entire form in one sitting - you cannot save your progress and return to it later. Once logged in, click Membership Benefits->Competitions->View Open Competitions->2025 Flute Ensemble Festival Application.

Alternatively, access the application using this link (opens in new window).

Step 5: Upload Your Recordings

Your application is not complete until you upload your recordings! After submitting your application, you will receive an email with instructions on uploading your audio recordings.

Application Complete

After uploading your recordings, your application is complete. We will notify you of the results on February 18th, 2025. If you have questions about your application, please contact Mily Harrod, NFA Membership Manager, at mharrod@nfaonline.org.

Application Process & Guidelines

Application Guidelines

All ensembles taking part in the Festival will be chosen through this application process.
You must have six or more members in your ensemble. If you have less than six performers, please apply through the Convention Proposal application.
Applicants may be invited to expand upon their submitted 22–25-minute program based on the adjudication process. Expanded programs will be requested on an as needed basis from select ensembles between March 1-31, 2025. Please do not submit more than the required 22–25-minute program with your initial application.
If selected, all members must be active NFA members and register for the convention.
If selected, the ensemble’s performance date and time will be determined by the program chair. All performances will be in the convention center.
Chairs and Music Stands will be provided for the performance. You will need to provide your own music stand for rehearsals. NFA cannot provide pianos or other instruments for your performance. No other technology set up will be provided by NFA.

Application Materials - General Information

Please have this ready before you begin your application

Applicant contact information, email address, demographic makeup of the ensemble, and a detailed description of your ensemble.
Program title, condensed bio of the ensemble (300 characters or less)
Ensemble Conductor Name, Bio, and ensemble member names
A 22–25-minute program of music (up to seven works). The program must fit within a 30-minute performance time slot that includes set-up, talking, and tuning. Include composers' and arrangers' information as well as timings.
Pieces on this program should be submitted in performance order.

Application Materials - Confirmation Email & Recording/Program Upload

You will receive a link via email to submit recordings and programs after you submit this form.
If you are using a .edu email address, please also add a personal email address within the application.

Application Materials - Recording Information

Please have all of these ready before you begin your application

Two separate works OR two movements of a single work that contrast with one another. These two works do not have to be part of your proposed program.
Each work/movement must be less than five minutes in length but should also be at least one minute long. A continuous excerpt from a work that is trimmed to five minutes is acceptable if a desired application selection is longer than five minutes when performed in its entirety.
You should not submit more than ten minutes of total music with your application.
The two selections should be uploaded as separate SOUND FILES (mp3, mp4, wav, m4a, wma). VIDEOS ARE NOT ACCEPTED! You may use or trim an existing recording of your ensemble that was recorded after January 1, 2024. It is preferred that you use a sound file from a recording session or live performance that took place after July 31, 2024.)

The NFA is committed to meeting the accessibility needs of all convention participants. Presenters whose proposals are accepted will be asked if they have accessibility needs as part of the session confirmation process so the NFA may provide the necessary support.