WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Elementary School Piano Festival

A young lady participating in a festival similar to the WSU Shocker keys festival

In this article, you will find details for Vance Music pianists involved in the WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Elementary School Piano Festival:

  • WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Elementary School Piano Festival Dates
  • Location & Google Map Links
  • Visual Festival Map
  • Printable Festival Map PDF
  • Festival Schedule PDF
  • Original WSU Festival Letter
  • Who Can Attend
  • Festival Procedures
  • Festival Etiquette

WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Piano Festival Overview

Saturday, February 14th & Sunday, February 15th, 2026

WSU General Address: 1845 N. Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260

WSU Duerksen Fine Arts Center Google Map

Please park in the 16S lot by Duerksen due to the basketball game on Saturday, February 14th.

WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Elementary Piano Festival Map denoting parking, performance rooms, practice rooms, and more.
Printable WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Festival Map
VM Schedule at the WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Festival

Students and or parents that have questions regarding the WSU 2026 Shocker Elementary School piano festival after reading the rest of this article should contact Marissa

Attending The WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Festival

Performance rooms at the WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Elementary School Piano Festivals are fairly large, and able to accommodate a number of guests. Students should feel free to invite family and friends.

All performers, teachers, and guests should park in the WSU 16S lot by Duerksen due to the basketball game on Saturday, February 14th.

Vance Music students are welcome to show their support for one another by coming to listen. Vance Music staff members will be in attendance to support students as well.

Picture of a Vance Music student in dress and bow performing at a festival like the WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Elementary Piano Festival

2026 Shocker Keys Festival Step-By-Step Guide

The 2026 Shocker Keys festival is a great setting for young pianists to begin performing in festival and competition environments! Judges are college music students raising money to attend local and national music conferences. No ratings or prizes are awarded; students who perform receive a certificate and comments from their judge.

Stone steps in Japanese Garden in Oregon to give students a visual idea of what to do at the WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Elementary Piano Festival
  1. Before the 2026 Shocker Keys festival, prepare your music by doing four things:
    • Write your name and contact information inside the front cover of your book. If you don’t want to include your contact information, please feel free to list your student’s name, Vance Music, and the studio phone number (316-264-1567).
    • In red ink, write the measure numbers above each bar line of your music so that judges can make quick and accurate comments.
    • Erase all practice markings you do not wish the judge to see.
    • Bring your music book with you – no photocopies are allowed at festivals.
  2. Arrive thirty minutes before your performance time.
  3. Check in at your performance room and ask where the practice rooms are located. Some years elementary students have used the practice room hall & other years they have been given access to classrooms instead. Current instructions only specify that practice rooms will be on the first floor in Duerksen.
  4. Return to your performance room and check in again.
  5. Open your music to the correct page for the door monitor or judge.
  6. When it is your turn, go to the piano and adjust your bench.
  7. Warm up by playing a scale. Use your warm-up to get acquainted with the feel and sound of your performance piano. (WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Festival instructions state students should not warm up by playing their piece.)
  8. When the judge is ready for you to perform, stand in front of the piano.
  9. Announce your piece in a loud, clear voice for the judge. Include your first and last names, grade, piece, and composer. Remember to smile.
  10. Take your seat at the piano, check your position, breathe, and perform your piece.
  11. Bow or curtsy with a smile (first to the judge, then to the audience if they are not seated in the same area).
  12. If there is time, the judge may give you verbal comments or even a mini lesson. Make sure to listen well and be polite.
  13. Thank the judge for listening to you perform.
  14. Remember to collect your music from the door monitor before leaving the performance room hallway.

2026 Shocker Keys Festival Etiquette

  1. Prepare your music for the 2026 Shocker Keys festival (see previous section for details).
  2. Be respectful to all performers and judges by talking softly in the halls. Be particularly quiet near the performance rooms. If you desire a louder conversation, please move to the lobby.
  3. No running in the building.
  4. Children should be accompanied by an adult at all times in the building.
  5. Be courteous to festival staff and judges by thanking them for their help and time.
  6. Mute cell phones and electronic devices before entering performance rooms.
  7. Refrain from flash photography in the performance rooms. Turn off any sound effects on your camera prior to entering the performance rooms.
  8. Audience members should not talk in the performance rooms at all.
A student posing after performing at a festival like the WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Elementary Piano Festival

Have a blast performing at WSU’s 2026 Shocker Keys Festival!

Daisies on piano keys as a celebration of the performances at the WSU 2026 Shocker Keys Elementary Piano Festival