We know you’ve been working very hard to prepare your All-State band material. Can you believe that auditions are coming up in only a few weeks? There are a few things you and your parents need to know as we close in on audition day. Please read over all of this information carefully with your parents so you can be well prepared for your audition.
Extra Help
If you would like additional one-on-one help in preparing for your audition, please sign up for a time on the white board in the band office. Mrs. Baker has times available every night after school. You may sign up for up to two lessons per week, but please space them out so that you will have time to practice in between. Also, please sign up for the earliest available time on the day you are planning to get help. Mr. Miller has times available most days after school and many days before school. Please contact him directly for available times.
Auditions
Auditions will be recorded in the Middle School Band Room. The two options for audition times are :
1. During the school day the week before Thanksgiving break (November 21-23)
2. After school the week after Thanksgiving break (November 28-December 1)
If you have a preference for which day you record, please let Mrs. Baker know as soon as possible. If not, we will assign groups for each day. The recordings take about 25 minutes for each person, so we will need quite a bit of time to get all students recorded.
Auditions must be performed in the following order: Scale sheet in the order written, starting with chromatic, 6/8 Etude, 4/4 Etude. Percussionists must perform scale sheet in the order written, mallet etude, timpani etude, snare rudiments in the order written, snare etude. Mallet etude and scales may be performed on marimba, xylophone, or bells.
Fees
There is a $9.00 fee to audition for All-State band. We will need to send in one check as a school, so please bring $9.00 in cash to Mrs. Baker or Mr. Miller. We will combine all money into one check to send in to SDMEA.
Lodging
We have received word that lodging in
Pierre may be difficult to come by this year due to a number of events being held on the same weekend.
Please call to reserve your room now to ensure that you and your family have a place to stay should you be selected!
You can cancel later if you are not selected.
Room blocks have been reserved at several hotels.
See
www.sdmea.net/ms-all-state-band.html and click on the 2012 Lodging Link for more information.
All-State Weekend
All-State band will be held in Pierre on March 2nd and 3rd. All rehearsals are held at T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre. Since this is NOT an activity officially sponsored by the Middle School, each student will need to make their own travel plans with their families. More information will be available as the date gets closer for those selected.
Once again, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication in preparing for this event! We appreciate the time and work you have put in to make yourselves better players and are proud of your efforts and achievements. Our entire band has benefited from your hard work and dedication. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Baker and Mr. Miller
