What is the Ribbon Festival?

The Westside OMTA Ribbon Festival is a delightful performance opportunity for music students in a creative, fun, and relaxed atmosphere. It is a non-competitive and non-adjudicated event. Student can choose up to three categories and will receive a colorful ribbon for each category they choose to participate. This year’s Westside Ribbon Festival celebrates ANIMALS! Students are invited to choose music that features animals, and to create artwork inspired by their pieces that can also include animals if you wish. Think cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, sea creatures... any critters that spark your imagination! We were also proud to support the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter with donations collected throughout the weekend.

Choose Your Ribbon Categories

Solo: Your choice of any style of music - Classical, Pop, Musicals, Movie Tracks, and you can play any instrument!
Ensemble: Duets, trios, quartets! This is your opportunity to perform together with a musical peer or adult!
Artwork: We encourage creation of music-themed artwork to be displayed at the festival, which can include a diorama, poster, mobile, statue or other creation.

HeartStrings Performers at the 2026 Ribbon Festival

This year, six HeartStrings students performed in the Ribbon Festival! A big congratulations to the HeartStrings students who performed, you all were fantastic!! What a magical weekend of beautiful music, talent, and joy!

Here’s what each student shared at the festival: