2026 Medal of Distinction: Concert Division
Global Initiative for Talented Students (GIFTS) in collaboration with Perform America - TX, LLC is excited to offer a new educational opportunity for middle and high school band, choir, and orchestra programs. Introducing Medal of Distinction, a unique recording submission designed to celebrate excellence in performance while simultaneously offering practical and exciting opportunities of growth for both students and directors. All participants will have access to a wealth of knowledge from evaluators with a variety of musical backgrounds. Medal of Distinction serves as a means to bring together a community of musicians and educators striving to better themselves, their programs, and the art of music making.

Available to Non-Varsity and Varsity Ensembles:

-  Non-Varsity Ensembles will be listened to and receive feedback from the Premier Performance Listening Evaluators and the top 25% Non-Varsity performing ensembles will be recognized as National Winners with the second 25% recognized as Performance of Distinction Winners

-  Top Varsities regardless of class will be eligible to advance to the Encore Listening and get double the feedback with an opportunity to have one of ours Maestros clinic their ensembles and be named as Maestro Award National Winners 

Registration fee:

-  $350 for All Non-Varsity ensemble except Choral Ensembles (Choral Non-Varsity will register as open class), Jazz, and Chamber Ensembles 

-  $400 for all other ensembles (Varsity, University, Community, & International)



 
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2026 Medal of Distinction Evaluators:
National Youth Wind Ensemble of Distinction:
Kerry Taylor, Aaron Brown, Cliff Croomes 

National Youth Choir of Distinction: Please visit link below for Choral Submissions
https://perform-america-tx.com/2025-next-level-performances-choral-contest/

National Youth Orchestra of Distinction:
TBD

National Youth Jazz Ensemble of Distinction:
TBD

National Youth Chamber Wind Ensemble of Distinction: (opportunity to perform at Dallas Winds Concert)
Brian Hecht

National Youth Percussion Ensemble of Distinction:
TBD
Name of School/Organization: *
Name of Ensemble: *
Name of Director (publication purposes): *
Preferred Email Address: *
Best phone number to reach you: *
School/Program Address (for shipping): *
Ensemble Classification
School/Organization Classification (1A-6A used for Band only): *
Required
Distinction Categories: *
Required
Performance Ensemble *
1st Submission: Please provide downloadable link to your file (google, dropbox, etc)  Include in file name: Title of Piece, Composer/Arranger and date of recording as well as PDF of score which is preferred than mailing in scores (with name of school marked off to keep anonymous). *
2nd Submission: Please provide a downloadable link to your file (google, dropbox, etc)  Include in file name: Title of Piece, Composer/Arranger and date of recording as well as PDF of score which is preferred than mailing in scores (with name of school marked off to keep anonymous). *
3rd Submission - Choral ensembles only: Please provide a downloadable link to your file (google, dropbox, etc).  Please include in file name: Title of Piece, Composer/Arranger and date of recording as well as PDF of score which is preferred than mailing in scores (with name of school marked off to keep anonymous).
DATES/DEADLINES/PAYMENT INFORMATION
May 1st - Entry registration opens

June 5th -  Registration closes
- $350 for All Non-Varsity ensemble except Choral Ensembles (Choral Non-Varsity will register as open class), Jazz,  and Chamber Ensembles  

- $400 for all other ensembles (Varsity, University, Community, & International)

Recordings & PDF of Scores: Please provide downloadable link to your files (google, dropbox, etc)  Include in file name: Title of Piece, Composer/Arranger and date of recording as well as PDF of score which is preferred than mailing in scores (with name of school marked off to keep anonymous)

Application fee: (Payable to:  GIFTS / Medal of Distinction) and registration form are due to the following addresses:

Medal of Distinction:  Concert Division
Attn:  Eddie Lopez
8129 Lake Mountain Ln
Leander, TX 78641

CHECKS PAYABLE TO:  GIFTS / Medal of Distinction

For International payments or if having difficulty submitting recording please e-mail:  MOD@giftsmovement.org

*INTERNATIONAL Ensembles if participating can earn recognition in the Encore Circle or as a National Winner of the Maestro Award, but are not eligible for an in person clinic at this time.  



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