Concerts
Your band may have two or more concerts throughout the year. Most have a Winter or Christmas Concert and then a Spring Concert. During this time, the band director will stop lessons and pass out music for everyone to play. You'll practice the songs for the next few weeks, playing them again and again to perfect them.
On the night of the concert, your band director will tell you how they work. While some bands have uniforms for their beginning bands, some do not. Your band director will notify you of that. You'll go to where the concert is, either at school or somewhere else, and play. If you have time, stay and listen the other bands, as they have more experience and you will be able to get a glimpse of next year.
After the concert, you'll be exhausted, so straight to bed, especially if you have school the next day!
On the night of the concert, your band director will tell you how they work. While some bands have uniforms for their beginning bands, some do not. Your band director will notify you of that. You'll go to where the concert is, either at school or somewhere else, and play. If you have time, stay and listen the other bands, as they have more experience and you will be able to get a glimpse of next year.
After the concert, you'll be exhausted, so straight to bed, especially if you have school the next day!
Private Tutors
If you are really serious about your instrument, consider taking private lessons. While you will learn a lot at school, you can get so much more from a teacher. You'll be able to ask questions specific to your questions, help you prepare for competitions and festivals (which I will discuss below), and give you tips.
Finding a teacher can be a little tricky. Ask your band director, he/she can recommend teachers or you. Some directors even offer lessons! All you got to do is ask!
Finding a teacher can be a little tricky. Ask your band director, he/she can recommend teachers or you. Some directors even offer lessons! All you got to do is ask!
Festival Evaluations
There are many of these that your band will visit during your second year. This includes evaluation festivals such as MPA (Music Performance Assessment) and Solo and Ensemble.
MPA is an entire band evaluation, where the band plays three songs they already prepared for the judges, then move on to a room where sight-reading is tested.
Solo and Ensemble is an individual evaluation. You can do a solo and/or an ensemble, or group, with your friends. You get to choose the song and people you play with. You play in front of a judge, and if they score you well, you can receive a medal.
MPA is an entire band evaluation, where the band plays three songs they already prepared for the judges, then move on to a room where sight-reading is tested.
Solo and Ensemble is an individual evaluation. You can do a solo and/or an ensemble, or group, with your friends. You get to choose the song and people you play with. You play in front of a judge, and if they score you well, you can receive a medal.
All-State and All-District Bands and Other Honor Bands
This usually can happen in your second or third year of band. Your band director can recommend you for these special bands that last for two to three days. Honor bands in middle school usually do not require serious auditions, but All-State and All-District do. All-State and All-District require very strict audition, and you may or may not make it. They are great learning experiences, so ask your band director for more information.