For the two years of 1995 and 1996 the festival was not held, due to lack of a suitable venue and host. Its renewal as a part of the AMIS calendar has been greeted enthusiastically by members and non-members alike. The 1997 and 1998 festivals were held at The International School of Dusseldorf attracting over 300 performers each year in grades 4 through 12, from a large number of schools from The Hague to Moscow. The Festival is for students from the middle through high school levels. Instrumentalists should have at least one year of playing experience.
Emphasis is on the educational rather than competitive aspects of participation.
All students are adjudicated by professional music educators in both oral and written form. The final event of the day is a concert which showcases one performance selected by each of the day's judges. Complete details for entering students can be obtained from the AMIS office .