Frequently Asked Questions

When you apply, please provide us with your best estimate. You will have several opportunities to adjust your enrollment after you apply. Be sure you only count each student one time, regardless of the number of performing groups they are in.

You will receive complimentary tickets for the number of directors you bring.

The Director is included as one of the FREE adults.

Students holding season passes, or who will not be entering the park for any other reason, will be charged the Festival-Only cost of $25.00. There will be no charge for adults holding season passes. Branson Festival-Only charges are $35.00

Yes. All groups must provide a seating chart via the form emailed prior to your performance date.

Each performance will be evaluated by a panel of two judges. Their full adjudications will be recorded and emailed via WeTransfer the following week. Each group will also receive a brief judges’ sheet with ratings for key performance areas and space for additional notes.

For the most part, performances take place between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

On your registration form, there is a place for you to request a performance time. Please note that we do our best to accommodate your wishes, but preferences will be made for groups that enroll early, groups that have to travel a long distance, and the number of groups from each school that are performing that day. We will do our best to accommodate your request, however, please keep in mind that these are just requests.

The performance schedule is emailed 10-14 days prior to the festival date. You can also check this website for updated schedules and call for a schedule to be faxed or emailed to your school. Please keep in mind that we do our best to get the schedules out early, but factors such as last-minute and heavy enrollment days come into play when we schedule.

Uniforms are not required. The attire of the group is left up to the discretion of each Director and will not be factored into the adjudicators’ ratings. Most groups do not wear uniforms; however, many wear their band, orchestra, or choral shirts. This does not affect the adjudication of your group.

Performances take place at local schools, churches, colleges, or other performance venues located near the amusement park.

Schools are welcome to arrive in advance of their scheduled performance time to view other performances. Our main request is that respect be given to the performing group. No instrument playing, tuning, or loud talking in the waiting area is permissible.

If published scores cannot be supplied, copies are acceptable and legal, provided they are destroyed after use.

There are no required selections. Each group performs music appropriate to their level of development.

We provide chairs, risers, an acoustic or electric piano (not guaranteed 88 keys), a director podium, a bass drum, three timpani, and a xylophone. You MUST bring all other percussion, mallets, and sticks. Vocal groups must provide their own “boombox” for performances, if needed. Groups must also have their iPhone or MP3 if required.

In the warm-up room, we provide chairs and a piano. There are no stands available and we apologize for the inconvenience that this may bring; however, your warm-up time is limited to fifteen minutes, so time in the room is very little. Vocal groups will need to provide their own “boombox” for warm-up as one is NOT guaranteed. A keyboard will be provided, but it will not be a standard keyboard.

That's easy! You can simply make the adjustment on your invoice prior to submitting the final payment or contact our office via email. Please note that even if you book your tickets through a third party, there is still a festival-only cost of $25.00 Frontier City/$35.00 Branson per student.

Yes! You can pay directly at the festival registration desk.

Final numbers are due 5 days prior to the festival.

All student and adult tickets purchased through Heartland Music Fest will guarantee entry to the park on the dates listed on the ticket.

Heartland Music Fest will proceed as scheduled during rain or changing weather conditions as long as it is safe to do so, as amusement parks generally remain open during inclement weather. Any schedule changes, including adjustments or cancellations to the awards ceremony, will be posted on the Heartland Music Fest Facebook page.

If the park closes after you enter, the park will issue a rain check. If you choose not to enter the park due to inclement weather, Heartland might be able to provide a refund or tickets for a later date. However, if you enter the park and leave before it officially closes, your ticket cannot be refunded or replaced.

Most parks issue tickets that are valid only on the days of the festival. Please check your ticket for the dates as they are printed on the front. You may also check on this website for the dates for this year’s festival and those are the days that the tickets can be used.

Bus drivers can get in for free if they show their CDL.

You will receive your tickets at the performance site on the day of the festival. At the festival desk, your tickets will be counted out for your group(s). You will sign the invoice acknowledging receipt of tickets. Once you have left the festival site, there will be no adjustments for unused tickets. Please have your counts ready when you check out.

Yes! Additional tickets will be available for purchase at the festival registration desk.

The 2026 gate cost at Frontier City is $79.99

BUSES ARE FREE! A bus is defined as any official school vehicle with the school’s name displayed on the side.

The Frontier City fee is $30.00 per car entry. I will have car vouchers on sale at the festival site for $20.00.

Silver Dollar City, Branson does not require a parking fee.

The meal includes chicken tenders, chips, a drink, and dessert, served in the Red and Yellow Pavilions. Each purchased meal also includes a bounce-back ticket valid for a return visit to the park from June 1 through Labor Day.

Meals will be served at the Red and Yellow Pavilions from 11 AM to 3 PM.

You will go to the Red and Yellow Pavilions.

Bus Drivers and Directors will need to purchase their meals separately. They are $22.00 each.

Yes. Souvenir cup vouchers can be purchased during registration or at the festival site. They are $20.00 each. This will cover a physical souvenir cup with free refills all season long at any Six Flags park nationwide.

Silver Dollar City meal tickets are $18.00 each.

These are 2026 prices. We will not receive 2027 prices until January 2027.

Silver Dollar City meal tickets are accepted at all non-buffet restaurants.

They are $18 each.

These are 2026 prices. We will not receive 2027 prices until January 2027.