SINCE 1980 · PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA
Panama City Beach
Music Festival
A professionally run music festival, wrapped in a big beach party. For high school and middle school bands, choirs and orchestras.
April 23–24, 2027
Overnight, multi-night and day trips
Overnight from $250
Day trips from $100
Directors free
Since 1980
Started as the Festival of Champions on the Miracle Strip stage. More than 40 years of school festivals at the beach.
Real feedback
Three experienced adjudicators, score sheets and an on-stage clinic for every group.
One package
Performance, judging, awards, meals, Dave & Buster's, Shipwreck Island and Pirates Voyage.
Close to home
A beach weekend within a day's drive of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee.
2027 PACKAGES
Packages and prices
Every package includes your performance, adjudication and an on-stage clinic. Directors are always free.
Overnight trip
Overnight and multi-night trips
Performers
from $250
Non-performers
from $230
Directors
Free
INCLUDED
• Performance at the Majestic Ballroom
• Adjudication and on-stage clinic
• Awards
• Dinner buffet at Capt. Jack's
• Unlimited play at Dave & Buster's
• A day at Shipwreck Island Waterpark
• Dolly Parton's Pirates Voyage dinner show
Day trip
Friday or Saturday
Performers
from $100
Non-performers
from $80
Directors
Free
INCLUDED
• Performance at the Majestic Ballroom
• Adjudication and on-stage clinic
• Unlimited play at Dave & Buster's
• Dinner buffet at Capt. Jack's
Saturday day trips are priced by whether your group goes to Shipwreck Island.
Registration
$200 per performing group. We prefer groups of 25 or more, and smaller groups can be arranged. Ask Chip.
Not included
Lodging and transportation. Additional activities and meals can be arranged for an extra fee.
THE FUN PART
Your weekend at the beach
Here's how a typical festival weekend runs. Chip sends each director their exact performance time.
Overnight trip
Friday
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Performances, then awards and a clinic with the adjudicators
6:00 PM
Seafood buffet at Capt. Jack's
7:30 PM
Unlimited play at Dave & Buster's
Saturday
10:30 AM
Shipwreck Island Waterpark opens
12:00 PM
Lunch at Shipwreck Island
4:30 PM
Park closes
Friday day trip
Friday
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Performances, then awards and a clinic with the adjudicators
Midday
Lunch on your own
2:00 PM
Unlimited play at Dave & Buster's
6:00 PM
Seafood buffet at Capt. Jack's
THE MUSIC
Performing and adjudication
On performance day
Arrive 30 minutes before your stage time.
Warm up on stage. Adjudicators are not present during warm-up.
You have 20 minutes on stage to perform two pieces of literature appropriate for an educational festival.
An adjudicator gives a brief wrap-up on stage after your performance.
Awards are presented after the performance, followed by a clinic with the adjudicators.
Bring three sets of scores for the judges to the registration desk.
Performances are at the Majestic Ballroom. Changing rooms are available, but space is limited.
How groups are rated
Each group chooses competition and rating, rating only or comments only.
Rating scale
Rating
Score
Superior
90–100
Excellent
75–89
Good
60–74
Groups are classified as Achievement or Open based on experience and ability level.
Equipment provided
Instrumental groups
Three timpani, chimes, xylophone, bells, concert bass drum with stand, podium, music stands and chairs. Bring any other percussion you need.
Choral groups
Choral risers, a digital piano with weighted keys, and a PA system with microphones. Playback is available for recorded accompaniment; bring it on a flash drive.
YOUR ADJUDICATORS
Meet the judges
Rob Grice
Composer, conductor and clinician. Works performed at the Midwest Clinic and Carnegie Hall.
Deborah Bradley
Professor of Music, Georgia Military College. National High School Band Directors Hall of Fame.
Ray Smith
Professor Emeritus, Troy University. Director, Southeast Alabama Community Band.
FROM PAST FESTIVALS
Festival memories
SPACE IS LIMITED
How to register
1
Register online
Fill out the registration form for each performing group.
2
Hold your spot
The registration fee is $200 per performing group. The $200 deposit is non-refundable.
3
Final payment
Full payment is due by April 9, 2027.
Refund policy: the deposit applies to the festival package fee only. Your travel and lodging providers have their own policies.
Questions directors ask
Does the festival provide lodging or transportation?
No. Groups arrange their own hotel and transportation. Visit Panama City Beach's group team can help you find hotels.
Our group is smaller than 25. Can we still come?
Yes. We prefer groups of 25 or more, but special arrangements can be made for smaller groups. Contact Chip for details.
Can we come for just one day?
Yes. Day trips are available on Friday or Saturday, from $100 per performer. Saturday day trips are priced by whether your group goes to Shipwreck Island.
Which classification should we enter?
Groups enter Achievement or Open based on experience and ability level.
What should we bring?
Three sets of scores for the judges, any percussion beyond what's provided, and recorded accompaniment on a flash drive if you use it.
Can we add meals or activities?
Yes. Additional activities and meals can be arranged for an extra fee.
Are changing rooms available?
Yes, at the performance venue, but space is limited.
OUR STORY
At the beach since 1980
The festival began in 1980 as the Festival of Champions, on the stage of Miracle Strip Amusement Park. Buddy and Nancy Wilkes, with partner Steve Simpson, ran it for more than 40 years, along with festivals in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando. It became the Panama City Beach Music Festival after Simpson joined the University of Alabama in 2012.
It has been held every spring since 1980, except during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Since September 2022, the festival has been run by Chip Wise, band and choir director at Leeds High School in Leeds, Alabama.
Thank you to our sponsors
Festival partners
