Student Performances
Performance Opportunities for MacPhail Students
MacPhail provides numerous opportunities for students to perform. More than 400 recitals are scheduled each year, ranging from informal recitals to auditioned honors recitals and Concerto & Aria.
MacPhail 2026 – 2027 Student Performance Opportunities
MacPhail is pleased to announce a hybrid schedule of in-person and online student performances for the 2026 – 2027 school year!
There are a few items of note:
- MacPhail Student Performance Opportunities are listed in the Student Performance Opportunities Calendar (pdf).
- All instrumental and vocal recitals are funneled into general All-School Recitals. Students of all ages, instruments, genres, and abilities are encouraged to participate.
- There will be two Performance Festivals in December and May. These are exciting performance and learning opportunities for students. Students of all ages, instruments, genres, and abilities are encouraged to participate.
- There will be four Honors Recitals per year: two Honors Recitals for students of all ages and two Junior Honors Recitals for younger students. For more information about the Honors Recital auditions, please check the Honors Recital audition application link.
- Please plan ahead of time to perform at the MacPhail Student recitals. Slots might fill up quickly even before the deadline.
Please feel free to contact Melissa Falb, Director of Program Operations, with any questions.
MacPhail Staff Accompanist
If you wish to use the services of a MacPhail staff accompanist for a performance or audition, please complete and return a MacPhail Staff Accompanist Request form and submit it with a copy of the piano accompaniment. This service is provided free of charge for performances.
Accompanist Fee For Auditions
MacPhail students can request the service of MacPhail staff accompanists free of charge for performances (All-School recitals, Adult Student Soirées, Performance Festivals). A $30.00 accompanist fee is required for an audition (Honors Recital auditions, Concerto and Aria auditions, and Scholarship auditions).
Requirements:
- The request form must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the recital date.
- A pdf(s) of the piano accompaniment must be submitted with the form at least two weeks prior to the recital date.
Questions?
Contact Melissa Falb, Director of Program Operations, at [email protected]
Types of Performances
All School Recital
Intended for students of all ages, instruments, and abilities, All-School Recitals typically feature a nice mix of performers, composers, and genre. Please plan ahead of time to perform at the MacPhail Student recitals. Slots might fill up quickly even before the deadline. Performances are limited to 10-12 minutes of music.
Upcoming Dates
In-Person (all in-person recitals are at 7:30pm in Antonello Hall)
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 (Deadline to signup: October 21, 2026)
Wednesday, January 20, 2027 (Deadline to signup: January 6, 2027)
Wednesday, February 10, 2027 (Deadline to signup: January 27, 2027)
Wednesday, March 24, 2027 (Deadline to signup: March 10, 2027)
Wednesday, May 19, 2027 (Deadline to signup: May 5, 2027)
Adult Student Soirees
The Adult Student Soirees performance opportunities for adult students (18 years and older) and meant for those who want to share their music in a low-pressure performance situation. All dates are in-person. Please plan ahead of time to perform at the MacPhail Student recitals. Slots might fill up quickly even before the deadline.
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 7:30 pm in Room 126 (Deadline to signup: October 23, 2026)
Friday, December 18, 2026 at 7:30 pm in Room 126 (Deadline to signup: December 4, 2026)
Friday, January 15, 2027 at 7:30 pm in Room 126 (Deadline to signup: January 1, 2027)
Friday, February 12, 2027 at 7:30 pm in Room 126 (Deadline to signup: January 29, 2027)
Friday, March 19, 2027 at 7:30 pm in Room 126 (Deadline to signup: March 5, 2027)
Friday, April 16, 2027 at 7:30 pm in Room 126 (Deadline to signup: April 2, 2027)
Sunday, May 2, 2027 at 3:30 pm in Room 127 (Deadline to signup: April 18, 2027)
MacPhail Concerto & Aria Concert
The MacPhail Concerto & Aria Concert is MacPhail’s premiere performance event featuring MacPhail student soloists performing with an orchestra of professional musicians conducted by Mark Mandarano.
While there are two performance opportunities, there is only one application and audition process; seven performances total will be selected. Please see the bottom of this application page for more details regarding audition piece length, orchestra size, instrumentation and orchestral difficulty.
We will select a total of eight students at the Concerto and Aria Auditions: six for the MacPhail Orchestra, one for the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis, and one for Kenwood.
Applications due: Friday, December 4, 2026
Preliminary Auditions: Sunday, January 10, 2027 starting at 12:30 pm
Final Auditions: Sunday, January 24, 2027 starting at 12:30 pm
MacPhail Concerto & Aria Concert: Sunday, March 7, 2027 at 3:30pm
Kenwood Symphony Orchestra Concert: TBD
Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis Concert: TBD
*Application fee: $20.00
*MacPhail staff accompanist can be requested with the fee, $30.00. See information above.
Honors Recitals
MacPhail Honors Recitals are distinguished student recitals. There are four per year: two Honors Recitals and two Junior Honors Recitals. Student audition before a panel of faculty judges in order to be selected for the recital. The judges’ decisions and selection of performers is based on the demonstrated musical and artistic merits of the student at the age and ability level performed during the audition. MacPhail values artistry and musicianship: anything performed artistically and musically is eligible to be selected.
Junior Honors Age Limits
Strings: age 12 & under
Piano: age 12 & under
Guitar: age 12 & under
Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion: age 14 & under
Voice: age 16 & under
If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Falb, Director of Program Operations.
Upcoming Dates
Fall Junior Honors Recital
Auditions: Sunday, November 8, 2026 starting at 12:30 pm (Deadline to apply: October 25, 2026)
Recital: Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 3:30 pm in Antonello Hall
Fall Honors Recital
Auditions: Sunday, November 15, 2026 starting at 12:30 pm (Deadline to apply: November 1, 2026)
Recital: Friday, December 11, 2026 at 7:30 pm in Antonello Hall
Spring Junior Honors Recital
Auditions: Sunday, March 21, 2027 starting at 12:30 pm (Deadline to apply: March 7, 2027)
Recital: Sunday, April 18, 2027 at 3:30 pm in Antonello Hall
Spring Honors Recital
Auditions: Sunday, April 11, 2027 starting at 12:30 pm (Deadline to apply: March 28, 2027)
Recital: Sunday, May 2, 2027 at 3:30 pm in Antonello Hall
*Application fee: $20.00
*MacPhail staff accompanist can be requested with a fee of $30.00. See information above.
Performance Festival
The Performance Festival is an opportunity for students to share their music with family, friends and adoring fans. Student performers will be grouped together in cohorts of eight to 10 to perform live for one another. The Performance Festival is open to all registered MacPhail students; all ages, instruments, ability levels and genres are welcome! Please plan ahead of time to perform at the MacPhail Student recitals. Slots might fill up quickly even before the deadline. Performances are limited to 10-12 minutes of music.
In-Person and Online via Zoom
Saturday, December 5, 2026 (Deadline to signup: November 21, 2026)
Sunday, May 2, 2027 (Deadline to signup: April 18, 2027)
Composition Recital
The Composition Recital is open to composers in the MacPhail community. Please contact Dr. Sarah Miller directly about participating in this event.
Upcoming Dates
Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 3:30 pm in Antonello Hall
Sunday, June 6, 2027 at 3:30 pm in Antonello Hall
Sign Up: Contact Sarah Miller