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Pick your grade level to find the perfect checklist

Recruiters start looking for talent as early as 9th grade. How do you get noticed?

• Score a superior rating at State Festivals
• Place in a statewide or regional competition

The three most important factors recruiters consider are:

• Your solo repertoire (show diverse styles, periods, and technical demands)
• Your rankings or ratings at festivals and competitions
• Your leadership potential, demonstrated by participation in school and community ensembles.

Most recruiters have early decisions made within the first seven weeks of the student’s senior year. That makes your sophomore and junior years very important to develop your skills and get noticed. When recruiters still have scholarship money in February and March, your senior year ratings in festivals and competitions become very important.