All-Midstate, All-County Registration Deadline
- What
- All-Midstate, All-County Registration Deadline
- When
- 10/28/2021
It is time to register students for the All-Midstate/All-County Band auditions. Here is all the information you need regarding these events. There is a lot of information here, and we ask that you please read VERY carefully before registering your child.
Middle Tennessee All-Midstate Bands/Rutherford All-County Band
What is it?
The Middle Tennessee All-Midstate Band (commonly referred to as the Midstate Bands) are two honor ensembles comprised of the top performing 7th and 8th grade students from Middle Tennessee.
The Rutherford All-County Band is an honor ensemble comprised of the top performing 7th and 8th grade students from Rutherford County.
Students may also audition for the All-Midstate and All-County Jazz Bands.
When/Where is it?
The Midstate Bands will rehearse with a guest conductor beginning on the evening of January 6 and perform at finale concert at MTSU on the morning of January 8.
The All-County Band will rehearse with a guest conductor beginning on the evening of February 24 and will perform a finale concert on the evening of February 25 (location TBA).
The Midstate Jazz Band will rehearse with a guest director beginning on the evening of January 13 and perform a finale concert at Blackman High School on January 15. The All-County Jazz event is TBA.
What does my child get out of it?
Students accepted into these ensembles are recognized as the top student-musicians in our area. Performing in a Midstate or All-County ensemble will be a memorable and life-changing experience.
Acceptance opens many other doors for students to have exceptional musical experiences throughout middle and high school. College music professors look at the All-County, All-Midstate, and Allstate (high school) rosters when determining college scholarships.
While these auditions are not required, it is important for students to begin experiencing this process in middle school. Even if they are not accepted into an ensemble this year, the preparation process helps them make huge strides in their musical development and sets them up for greater success in the future.
How does my child audition?
Auditions occur in-person on December 11 at Antioch High School. Scores from the December 11 audition are used to determine placement for BOTH the Midstate Bands and All-County Band. It is possible for a student to make the All-County Band without being accepted into the Midstate Band.
The auditions are “blind”, meaning that the student performs for a panel of judges (not an audience) who are unaware of who the student is or what school they are from. The judges are behind a screen so they cannot see the student and the student cannot see them.
Students perform a prescribed solo (commonly referred to as the “prepared piece”) and memorized scales. They also demonstrate their ability to sight-read (perform never-before-seen music after a few seconds of study). Percussionists must demonstrate skills on snare drum, marimba, and timpani.
How does my child prepare?
SCMS students were given copies of the prepared music several weeks ago. Additionally, scales expected for the audition and sight-reading skills are part of their on-going course of study in band.
The best way to prepare for these auditions is under the guidance of a private lesson teacher. If your child is enrolled in lessons and their teacher has determined that they are ready to compete in these auditions, they have likely already begun the preparation process.
After-school help sessions as well as mock auditions will be provided by the SCMS Band directors. Students who are not enrolled in private lessons are highly encouraged to take advantage of the help sessions. ALL SCMS students who plan to audition are expected to participate in the mock auditions.
Reference videos of the prepared music (recorded by Tennessee Tech University music faculty) for most instruments have also been posted on our band’s classroom webpage.
Most importantly, students should plan to participate in VERY focused and deliberate DAILY individual practice sessions.
How do I register my child?
Students who plan to audition should have their parents complete the online All-Midstate/All-County Band Audition Registration Form before October 28. Once registered, parents will receive an email from the SCMS Music Boosters so they can pay the $10 audition fee. The Music Boosters will then forward this non-refundable payment to the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (MTSBOA), the association in charge of the event.
We hope this answers any questions you may have. If not, please feel free to email.
As always, thank you for staying informed, trusting the process, and being involved.
Andrew Lynn and Brittany Jerrell