Student & Parent Resources

All-Conference Band & Choir

What is it? This is a special day where we gather top musicians from around our conference together to rehearse and perform a special concert. The students will be taught and conducted by some top professionals in our area.

How are students selected? Students are nominated by their director and approved by the conference directors as a whole.

What happens if I'm selected? If you are selected, you should make sure that you are free on the date of All-Conference. (Typically, your director will make sure you are able to do so beforehand.) If for some reason you are not available, tell your director immediately. There may be someone else available to take your spot. Once you get the music, PRACTICE! You will not have time to learn the music onsite. You will need to be prepared so our guest conductor can work on the more intimate details of the music. Being selected makes you one of the more outstanding musicians in the conference, prove it.

When does it take place? It lands on the third Saturday of January. Make up date would be the fourth Saturday of January.

Where does it take place? Each school takes a turn hosting the event. To know where the event is being held next, check out the Calendar page.

What happens all day? Typically, we gather at the host school around 9:00 am and begin rehearsals around 9:15. We will rehearse as a full group most of the day. There are breaks throughout the day and you are fed lunch and dinner by the host school. Depending on the guest conductor, they may choose to run sectionals at some point during the day, so the conference directors will help to run sectionals. At 6:00 pm a public concert is held.

Who is the guest conductor? Our guest conductor is usually a music professional from the area. It could be a university conductor or a known composer or another incredible school conductor.

When is the concert? The concert is held at 6:00 pm at the host school. Those that come by 5:30 are usually treated by a performance by the conference directors' jazz ensemble.

Can my parents come? Parents are always welcome to come to the concert - tickets are $4.00 each. Rehearsals are closed, however.

What does it cost? It costs you NOTHING. You participate for free. The schools provide the food and transportation.

What do I bring? Band students should bring their instrument, reeds, oils, greases, a pencil, and any other accessory you may need for the performance. Choir students should bring their music and a pencil.

What do I wear? Wear your everyday clothes for rehearsals - anything you would normally wear to school is fine. For the CONCERT, band students wear their school marching uniform or concert dress clothes, and choir students wear their robes. Typically, whatever you wear for Large Group Festival is what you would wear for the concert. Speak to your director if you need clarity on this.

I have more questions. Where do I go? Your directors should have all other information you will need.

Solo & Ensemble Festival

What is it? Solo & Ensemble Festival is an opportunity for music students to perform solos, small ensembles, or large ensembles in front of professional musicians, and get comments and critiques by them. Outstanding performances may get honored by advancing to the State level Solo & Ensemble Festival in May.

When is it? Depending on where you are in the conference determines where you go. Check out the Calendar page of the site to see the dates. If you are unsure which area you go to, ask your director.

Where does it take place? Each school takes a turn hosting the event. To know where the event is being held next, check out the Calendar page.

How do I prepare for Solo & Ensemble? First thing is to select music. There are certain rules set by the Wisconsin School Music Association to abide by, so work with your director to select the music to perform. Then PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. You should be very confident in your performance - this will minimize any nerves. If you are working with a group, you should regularly rehearse with your group. If you have a solo with an accompanist (piano player), you should work with them several times before the day. Be sure to work with your director too! They can give you great feedback as you are preparing for the event.

What do I bring? You should bring your music, instrument(s), any accessories, and your judge's copy. Some directors make you responsible for the judge's copies, while other directors will hold on to them until you need them. Check with your director on how this will be handled.

What do I wear? This is a performance, therefore you should be dressing nice. Some directors may have you wear concert dress, while some directors will allow you some freedom. Check with your director on how this will be handled.

When and where do I perform? Your director receives a schedule usually one-two weeks ahead of the event. This schedule has Site Numbers and Times attached to every performance. You should figure out where these sites are when you arrive at the host school. It is a good idea to check your sites to see if they are running ahead or behind. Try to arrive at your site about 10 minutes before your performance time.

Can my parents come? YES! Your parents are always welcome to come watch you perform. In fact, anyone is welcome to come watch you perform!

How much does it cost? The event is free to watch. Some schools may require you to pay some entry fee to perform different events, while some schools have the budget to pay for everything. Check with your director on how this is handled. There is usually food items sold at the event. You may want to bring cash with you to have lunch/dinner or snack items.

What is a rating? Solos & ensembles are split into three classes: A is the most challenging, B is less challenging, and C is the least challenging. Based on the standards set by the Wisconsin School Music Association for each class, a rubric is used to score each performance. The best rating you can receive is a I rating (first rating) which means a Superior performance. Other ratings follow: a II rating (second rating) is a Good performance, and a III rating (third rating) is a Fair performance. There are IV and V ratings (fourth and fifth ratings), but they are extremely rare. If you have prepared like you should, you will never have to worry about those ratings. IN ADDITION, those students performing in Class A, have the option of receiving a I* rating (starred first rating) if their performance is absolutely outstanding. These ratings allow the performer to move on the State Solo & Ensemble Festival.

Do I have to receive a rating? No. There is an option when your director registers you for you to perform for "Comments Only". The judges will offer you comments and suggestions but will not score you for a rating.

I have more questions. Where do I go? Your directors should have all other information you will need.

Large Group Festival

What is it? Large Group Festival is an opportunity for music students to perform with their entire band or choir in front of professional musicians and get comments and critiques by them. This is basically like Solo & Ensemble for the full band or choir.

Where does it take place? Each school takes a turn hosting the event. To know where the event is being held next, check out the Calendar page.

How do I prepare for Large Group Festival? Your directors will select music based on certain rules set by the Wisconsin School Music Association. It is your responsibility to learn your part, so PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. You should be very confident in your own part. Your directors will rehearse your full ensemble to make it the best performance it can be.

What do I bring? You should bring your music, instrument(s), and any accessories for your performance. Directors will take care of copies for the judges. Your directors will likely have you listen to another group's performance and have you fill out a critique sheet - so having a pencil will be handy.

What do I wear? Your director will guide you on what your concert dress will be for this performance.

Can my parents come? YES! Anyone is welcome to come watch the Large Group Festival. Admission to the festival is free.

What is a rating? Music split into four classes: A is the most challenging, B is less challenging, and C is the even less challenging, and M is designed for middle school level. Based on the standards set by the Wisconsin School Music Association for each class, a rubric is used to score each performance. The best rating you can receive is a I rating (first rating) which means a Superior performance. Other ratings follow: a II rating (second rating) is a Good performance, a III rating (third rating) is a Fair performance, and a IV (fourth rating) is a Poor performance. Each of the three judges' scores get averaged together to make a composite rating that is awarded to the ensemble.

Will there be food available? This is up to each host school. Check with your director on how this will be handled.