What are teachers saying about Great East Music Festivals?

 Great East Festival is the perfect “healthy” competition for my groups – it’s run in a  professional way and the kids always have a  positive experience! 

It never ceases to amaze me how much my students take in from the festival experience; from noticing their feelings of nervousness prior to performing to their incredible focus during the performance, to their giddy anticipation and buzzing energy during the clinic, and most importantly how they process the feedback from the clinic judges. It’s easy with middle school students to feel that they’re not always listening, but in reality they are absorbing so much. I appreciate this festival for allowing my students to hear much of the same messaging they get from me from a new voice.

We are from a very rural high school. This festival offers my students the opportunity to not only better their performance through work with some amazing clinicians, but also lets them see that they are a competitive ensemble despite their humble roots. The trip to the park after really brings them together as a family. We love the Great East Music Festivals!


The staff at Great East Music Festivals were helpful from the beginning of the planning process through the festival day. The festival was inclusive and an excellent culminating experience for our middle school students who enjoyed both performing and the reward of Canobie Lake Park. It was a tremendous performing experience for students and clinic feedback was beneficial for both students and directors. We are looking forward to returning for many years to come!

Great East Music Festival have always offered our students a positive, personal experience where feedback reinforces and gives deeper insight to so much of what we are learning in the classroom.


The Great East Music Festival is a wonderful opportunity for my students to perform and receive age and level appropriate feedback.

This festival is a positive, student-friendly, feel-good experience, and good for my group’s morale.

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