Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Who is eligible to enter the Festival?
Anyone living in the Greater Puget Sound area or are studying with a PAFE teacher in said area may participate in the Festival. There is however a limit to the number of performers we can accept due to the size restrictions of our host facility. Those who enroll and pay their fees early are more likely to get into the Festival.
You can perform in the festival at any age as long as you are studying with a PAFE teacher. Virtually all teachers work with students of all ages.
What information do I need in order to enroll in the Festival?
All students under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian permission to participate in the Festival. In addition, a parent or guardian is required to fill out the online registration information for their student.
Each Registration account must have a complete Profile (parent first, then student participant), include the following:
- Full name
- Valid e-mail address
- Home address with City, State and Zip code
- At least one valid phone number
- The student’s birthdate, school and grade level. Home schooled children must follow the Bellevue School District guidelines for grade determination.
After your profile is complete, you can enroll in the Festival, You will need the following:
- Ensembles must have a name (e.g. “Fooble Trio”), and all members must enroll separately.
- The name of the student’s music teacher.
- The full title (including Opus numbers) of the pieces you will perform, and the full name of the composer of each piece. (Only the last name for a composer is not appropriate)
What are the dates of the next Festival?
See the PAFE Home Page for a calendar of Festival dates.
Registration Questions
What if I can't remember my sign-in name or password from my previous sign-up?
If you signed up last year, your contact information will have been retained in the system. Use your e-mail address. If you have forgotten your password, use the “Forgot my password?” link to reset it.
Can I register and pay fees with any credit or debit card?
Our payment processor accepts most major credit cards. If you have a question about a specific card, please email our registrar.
Must each member of an ensemble enroll separately for the ensemble class?
Unlike years past, yes, each member of the ensemble must register separately. The first member must register in the Primary member class. The remaining members must register in the Additional members class once the Primary member tells them we are ready for them. More details can be found in the Registration section of the Syllabus.
I am a student. Can I register myself?
No. Students cannot registerthemselves. For legal reasons, students must be registered by their parent or legal guardian.
I am a Teacher. Can I register my students?
No. Teachers cannot register their student unless they are the parent of that student. Students must be registered by their parent or legal guardian.
Wait List Questions
What does it mean to be on the wait list for a class?
Each division has a registration capacity based on how many adjudicators we have and for how many days. As we approach the capacity for a division, future registrants will be placed on the wait list for that class. There will be no charge unless and until we find room to add the registrant to the class.
When will I know if my child will be included in the class?
In general, we start adding students from the wait list when we schedule the classes. It is only with this detailed schedule that we know how many more students will fit. There is no fixed date for this, but it is roughly a month before the start of adjudicated classes. Once we have added all the students we can, we will inform those we were unable to accomodate.
Can I find out where my child is in the wait list for their class?
Unfortunately, no.
What if I change my mind?
If you wish to be removed from the wait list, please let the registrar know this. We will cancel your registration from the wait list.
Adjudication Questions
Can Teachers and Accompanists see the registration information for students?
Yes. During our registration period, all Teachers and Accompanists will be included in emails sent to the families confirming their registration.
Once class schedules are finalized, Teachers and Accompanists will receive a detailed schedule for all students who have selected them during registration.
When will the students be notified of their performance times?
The schedule will be available on the PAFE Website no later than two weeks before the start of the Festival. The student (or parent) will sent an email once the the schedule is posted.
Will PAFE also notify the student's teacher and accompanist?
The class schedule will be available on the PAFE website for all to access prior to the start of the Festival. The teacher and accompanist will sent an email once the the schedule is posted. If you have special requests, please notify the division chair at the time of registration.
What about accompanists?
What Awards are there for performers in the Festival?
Concert Questions
Who is eligible to play in the concerts?
Division First Place winners in all 7th – 12th grade Concerto Classes (9th – 12th for Woodwinds) are automatically eligible to perform in the Concerto Concert to vie for monetary awards. Adult Concerto winners are not eligible for performing in Concerts.
First Place winners in all other classes and grades are eligible to perform in the Artists Concerts the week after the festival.
Winners are asked to sign up immediately after the awards are announced during the Festival.
Can cell phone or other audio or video recordings be made at concerts?
The PAFE photographer will videotape all concerts. Because of the competitive element of the Concerto Concert, no cell phone, audio or video recording will be allowed at that concert.
Parents and family are allowed to make audio or video recordings at the Artist Concerts.
Am I responsible for scheduling my accompanist at Festival and Concerts?
Yes. The performer is responsible for scheduling and paying their accompanist for concerts. PAFE will attempt to schedule around accompanist conflicts but makes no promises due to the large number of participants involved in the Festival.