Forum Festival

On May 9th, 2025, Martinez Junior High School’s Advanced Orchestra, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band showcased their musical talents at the Forum Music Festival, an event designed to provide student ensembles with a professional adjudication experience.

What is the Forum Music Festival?

The Forum Music Festival is a prestigious event where school music groups perform for expert adjudicators—seasoned music educators who provide constructive feedback based on national music standards. The festival is designed to encourage young musicians by offering a supportive environment where they can refine their skills and gain valuable insights from professionals.

How Do the Ratings Work?

Each ensemble is evaluated based on their performance quality, technique, and musicality. Adjudicators provide both written and recorded feedback to help directors and students improve. Ratings typically follow a tiered system, ranging from:

• Gold – Top 10%, Outstanding performance with excellent musicality and technique.

• Silver – Top 20%, Strong performance with minor areas for improvement

• Bronze – Top 30%, Good effort with room for growth and refinement