What: Middle
School All-Region Band Auditions are just around the corner. Region Band is
the highest honor a middle school band student can attain. The competition’s
goal is to find the best young musicians in this region of Texas. The music to
prepare for the auditions is very challenging, and students have already been
given the music. Students that make the All-Region Band will participate in an
all-day clinic which leads to a concert performance in the evening. It is an
exciting day. They will get to be among other students that share their same
interest in music, and they will get to work with a well-respected band
director throughout the day.
When: Deadline to sign-up to audition is Friday, December 16th. Auditions
will be held on Tuesday, January 17 at LaVernia HS. We will take a bus from
school. Auditions start at 4pm and usually go until at least 9pm. It will be a
late evening. Some instruments are finished earlier than others. Parents
wishing to meet at LaVernia HS and take their child home early may do so (there
will be a sign-out sheet). Any student that makes the band will miss school all
day Tuesday, January 24 for a required rehearsal and concert with the
All-Region Band. The concert will begin at 7:00pm at LaVernia HS and is
open to the public.
Who: Typically,
only 7th and 8th graders audition, but 6th
graders that can prepare the audition music may be allowed to
audition. The band directors decide
which students are ready to represent Blanco at this contest. Any students
wishing to audition are required to play their music and scales for one of the
band directors by Monday, December 19th. Students must be passing
all their classes in order to participate.
Practice: No
after school practices are required, but Mrs. Conard will be available every day after school January 9th-13th from 3:30-4:30pm. Students
are required to practice during tutorials and should be taking their
instruments home daily! Students
that need other practice times may arrange that with Mrs. Conard.
Awards: Every student that auditions has gone above and beyond what is required of them
and will receive extra participation points and a “free day” pass in band. Students
that make the All-Region Band will receive a patch and will have the option of
purchasing a t-shirt, plaque, and CD/DVD recording of the concert. Any student
that makes the region band will receive an additional treat. If a student gets
1st chair in the Symphonic Band, their name will be added to the “Wall
of Fame” in the MS Band Hall.
More info: Region band info/music can be found online here.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Conard or any
of the band directors. We are always happy to help.
