The Fine Arts Festival (FAF) is Hillsborough County Public Schools Elementary All County Music Concert and Art Exhibition. The concert features three regional choirs, mallet percussion, world drumming, handbells, and festival orchestra made up of students in fourth and fifth grade.
Each auditioned ensemble meets once a week for 5 weeks at a designated school site within the county to prepare two featured pieces as well as one to two combined pieces. *At the end of the 5 weeks, the students come together for a mass rehearsal. *A technical rehearsal field trip occurs on the day of the performance to allow for students to rehearse the combined pieces and get to know their performance space. The culminating event is an evening of music and art that celebrates our students’ talents. It’s the Fine Arts Festival!
For the past twenty years, the Fine Arts Festival has been held at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Tampa. The Straz Center works in partnership with the elementary music and art supervisors to ensure students are provided a world-class artistic opportunity in a safe environment. The FAF is a ticketed event with general admission seating. Typically, families are limited to two tickets to ensure every performer has an equal opportunity to invite guests.
As the professional association for elementary music specialists in Hillsborough County, HCEMEC plays a large roll in ensuring the smooth and successful running of the FAF each year!
