July – Oct

 Join a National Federation of Music Clubs’ senior club – i.e. Piedmont Music Club, Woodbridge Music Club, or Rappahannock Music Club.   
•    Federate your juniors (students) with the Virginia Federation of Music Clubs
•    Read NFMC festival bulletin general rules and rules for the events your students will enter
•    Begin selection of music for students (1 piece from required list and 1 other piece – see rules)
•    Start students on festival music

Nov – Jan

•    Have students/parents sign the student responsibility form and collect them.  Ensure parents know when festival is and that they must commit to the block specified.  Find out if they are willing to do any time on the day of festival, or if they prefer morning or afternoon.  They will be assigned a time slot of 1 hour per event the day of festival.  If the student enters multiple events, they will probably be given 2 consecutive hour time slots (unless they are doing hymns or duets).  If siblings are close in level, they will be probably assigned the same time slot.  If they are not, they will be given consecutive time slots.  Once the day and morning/afternoon is selected on the application, there will be no changes!  Make sure the parents realize this is a commitment.   
•    Collect entry fee of $25 per event for each student.  You will write 1 check for all your students’ entry fees at the time of application.
•    Prepare your application on the excel spreadsheet and save.