The PASIC selection process is competitive and rigorous, and seeks to determine a balance of artists, musical genres and instrumentation. Each year more than 500 applications are received as proposals for presenting a session at the next year's PASIC, and in some categories it is common that the ratio of applications received to the total number of available sessions in that category exceeds 8 to 1.

The process begins with the application in September for the following year’s PASIC. Applications are submitted online through December 15, at which time applications are no longer accepted.

Artists, the companies that support them, or any other interested party may submit an application on behalf of the artist. All PAS Committees are asked to submit proposals for sessions in their category as well. PAS does not provide financial support for PASIC artists or sessions.

Each application must include in which category the artist is to be considered: Drumset, Education, Electronic/Technology, Ensemble, Focus Day, Health and Wellness, Keyboard, Marching, Research, Symphonic, or World.

In addition, it must be made clear on the application what Type of Session the artist is proposing: Clinic, Clinic/Performance, Concert, Drum Circle, Evening Concert, Lab, Late Night Performance, Lecture/Presentation, Master Class, Panel Discussion, Research Paper, Research Poster, Paper/Poster Presentation, Terrace Concert, or Workshop. Definitions for each session type are included on each year's application form.

All submitted applications must include a brief description of the proposed session, biographical materials and recent photograph, as well as optional supporting audio or video files.

As the selection of artists for the upcoming PASIC begins, the PAS Executive Director and PASIC Director review all applications and supporting materials. Applications are checked against a master artist history grid of when the proposed artist has previously presented a session at PASIC. Artists may not present more frequently than 2 of every 3 years. Proposed artists who are not eligible will not have their applications forwarded for consideration.

The final determination regarding which session proposals will be accepted for the upcoming PASIC rests with the PAS Executive Committee. Prior to the Executive Committee making final determinations, all proposals for each category are forwarded to the appropriate PAS Committee for review. Each committee sends a list of recommendations to the Executive Committee.

In order to make the final determination, Executive Committee members study all proposals and PAS Committee recommendations, and work toward a broad diversity of artists, representation of numerous and varied musical styles, diversity of corporate sponsors, a mix of session types and categories, and an assortment of instrumentation. Announcements are made for the current year's PASIC in May.