Inspiring Musical Growth.One Performance at a Time
Where Alaska's young musicians shine.
The NFMC Festival is the centerpiece of our year a celebration of preparation, growth, and performance.
What Is Festival?
Festival is a non-competitive performance event sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) and organized locally through the Alaska Federation of Music Clubs (AKFMC). It gives students the chance to perform for a qualified adjudicator, receive encouraging written feedback, and earn points toward personalized trophies through the Gold Cup (youth) or Silver Cup (adult) incentive programs.
Most participants perform in a private, audition-style setting one-on-one with the adjudicator though some locations may opt for a recital format. Each student presents two pieces: one selection from the official NFMC Bulletin and one contrasting piece of choice (except for concerto events). Some categories require memorization, while others allow music, making Festival accessible to students of all experience levels.
While our local group currently consists primarily of piano teachers, Festival is open to all instruments and voice, with categories for woodwinds, brass, strings, guitar, classical and musical theatre voice, accordion, ensembles, concertos, and music theory. Students are evaluated individually not compared to one another keeping the focus on personal growth.
Although Alaska does not currently host NFMC competitive events, many larger states such as Texas, Wisconsin, and Florida do. If enough interest develops, the AKFMC State Board may explore offering similar opportunities in the future. It’s a wonderful way to discover new repertoire and celebrate student progress!
An example of a Federated selection for Level 1-A and 1-B in the Piano Concerto event is Concertino for the Young by Dennis Alexander, as listed in the current NFMC Bulletin.
Note: To purchase the bulletin, you must be a member. If you want to purchase the bulletin as a non member directly from us as we keep a surplus of extra’s. Please use the contact form and we can ship one to you!
Trophies
The NFMC Festival Program, run through AKFMC here in Alaska, gives students a fun and rewarding way to stay motivated in music lessons. As they participate in festival events each year, students earn points that go toward an engraved trophy starting with a 7-inch cup at 15 points and growing all the way up to an 18-inch President’s Cup at 90 points. Younger students are part of the Gold Cup Program, while adults earn Silver Cups. Each trophy is personalized with the student’s name and awarded in the spring, making it a special celebration of their hard work and dedication.
Students can enter one event per category each year like piano solo, theory, or sacred music. Most events earn up to 5 points annually, but there are some exceptions, such as combining points from solo and concerto over time. Many students participate in multiple events and even earn more than one cup in a year. The structure of the program encourages steady growth, new challenges, and continued enthusiasm for learning music.
The festival offers a wide variety of categories beyond piano, including voice, strings, guitar, and ensembles. In 2025, Alaska students earned points in events like Piano Solo, Piano Concerto, Hymn Playing, Patriotic Music, and Theory. The program is open to all levels and styles, and it’s a great way for students to explore new repertoire and build confidence through regular performances. For more information on available events and point values, families can check the NFMC Bulletin or ask their Festival Chair.
Exposure to Pedagogical Rep
One of the greatest benefits of membership is exposure to current teaching repertoire and pedagogical trends through the NFMC Bulletins. The repertoire lists are updated every 3–4 years, encouraging teachers to continually explore new music, discover emerging composers, and stay informed about what is currently resonating with students and teachers across the country.
For many teachers, this becomes an invaluable source of inspiration for lesson planning and repertoire selection. The Bulletins introduce a wide variety of educational and performance literature, from trusted pedagogical classics to exciting contemporary works that students genuinely enjoy learning and performing. Teachers often discover new “student favorite” pieces, fresh supplemental materials, and repertoire that fits a wide range of learning styles and levels.
This ongoing exposure to evolving teaching literature is one of the major reasons many educators join and remain involved in NFMC and AKFMC. It not only broadens a teacher’s musical library, but also helps strengthen and refresh their own teaching curriculum year after year.
Access to Awards and Scholarships
Membership with AKFMC provides valuable opportunities for both teachers and students by opening the door to a wide range of contests, competitions, and awards through the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC). These programs support musical development at all levels, from beginners to pre-professional students.
Each year, NFMC awards over $750,000 in scholarships, cash prizes, and performance opportunities at the local, state, and national levels. These programs not only provide financial assistance but also national exposure and invaluable performance experience.
Major national competitions include the Biennial Young Artist Awards, which offer $20,000 per category plus two years of national performance bookings, and the Ellis Duo-Pianists Competition, with $12,000 in prizes and concert opportunities. Additional awards include the Stillman-Kelly Instrumental Award for high school students, the Clara Wells Piano Award for undergraduates, and the Marion Anderson Vocal Award for classical vocalists.
NFMC also offers awards in areas such as voice, instrumental music, composition, dance, conducting, and music therapy, along with categories for visually impaired and physically challenged musicians. Students can also participate in patriotic and sacred music contests, and apply for over 38 annual and biennial scholarships to attend NFMC-sponsored Summer Music Centers.
Whether you teach young beginners or advanced students, there’s an award or competition that fits. To explore available opportunities, visit the NFMC Competitions & Awards page or reach out to our state awards chair for personalized guidance.
Resources
Joining AKFMC connects you with a supportive community of dedicated music educators across the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and throughout Alaska. Membership provides access to practical teaching tools, shared expertise, and encouragement from experienced colleagues who are passionate about music education.
As a member, you’ll gain access to valuable resources, including:
• Guidance and shared wisdom from fellow teachers in the organization
• NFMC Bulletin and repertoire guidance for festival preparation, repertoire study, and future repertoire recommendations
• Sample Music Theory test pages for student practice
• Recommendations for tried-and-true teaching materials and resources
• Ongoing mentorship and support from local teachers
• Access to virtual workshops and professional development opportunities
Whether you teach piano, voice, strings, or other instruments, AKFMC offers a welcoming and collaborative environment for music educators across Alaska.