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The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) offers Band and Orchestra Festival.  This is an opportunity for ensembles from member schools to perform a program of three pieces for adjudication, one of which must be from MSBOA's required list.

District-level festivals are held each year at the end of February through the beginning of March. HSMA is in District 5.  Each group is evaluated by three performance judges and one sight-reading judge. Ensembles are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest rating possible. The overall score is computed using a formula which combines the ratings of each judge. Ensembles that earn an overall 1 rating (or "Superior") are qualified for State Band & Orchestra Festival which is held in late April or early May. The basic structure of State Band & Orchestra Festival is the same as District, but the ensembles are held to a higher standard.
 
HSMA has a practice of participating in MSBOA Band and Orchestra Festival every other year, generally the odd-numbered year. On even-numbered years, HSMA hosts our own "In House" Festival, adjudicated by some of the area's finest and most experienced conductors.  
 
Additionally, although by MSBOA rules State B&O Festival is available for both Junior High and Senior High bands and orchestras who earn a Superior rating at District B&O Festival, HSMA only sends senior groups (Symphonic Band, Senior Orchestra) to State B&O Festival.