GT & All-State Bands

GT All-County and All-State Junior Bands

The HCPSS Middle School GT Bands are comprised of the best 6th, 7th, and 8th grade players in Howard County. The students have two preparatory rehearsals and three days of intensive rehearsals before performing in a public concert. There are two Middle School GT Bands - the GT Band and the Honor Band. You can find more information about the bands on the HCPSS Music website.

Audition for the MS GT Bands will be Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Ellicott Mills MS. You must register to audition by October 13.

The All-State Junior Band is comprised of the best 7th, 8th,and 9th grade players in the state of Maryland. All State Auditions are held in November. The students come together for three days of intensive rehearsals before performing in a public concert, All-State rehearsals are February. It is an overnight experience, with students staying at hotels. There is usually some expense associated with this, but the experience of playing with such an advanced ensemble is one they will remember for a lifetime.

Auditions for All-State will be Saturday, November 15 2024 at Severna Park HS. You must register to audition by October 15.

Students receive more information regarding the bands through Canvas and in class, and those who are interested should fill out the Google Forms (linked on Canvas) to be registered to audition. Students should prepare the audition for performance in front of judges. The top players are selected by the judges and invited to participate.

What is the Audition Music?

The auditions have three musical components:

• The Prepared Pieces: This is usually 2 technical etudes or study pieces from the Rubank Advanced Method or some similar book. For percussionists, there are separate pieces of music for snare & bass drums, cymbals, tambourine, mallets, and timpani. Percussionists must prepare all three.

• Scales: Each student will be asked to perform a one octave chromatic scale, except for flute and clarinet players who will perform a two octave chromatic scale. Also, they will need to know the major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats. (C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, Eb, Ab,) in a sixteenth pattern at a metronome marking of a quarter note = 72. All scales are played ascending and descending one octave, except flute, clarinet and keyboard percussion. These instruments shall perform two octaves.

• Sight Reading: students will be asked to perform a short (approximately 16 measures) excerpt for the judges with only a minute or so to prepare.

Start preparing the audition music now! The audition music is the same for HCPSS GT Bands and Maryland All-State band. 

All requirements are posted on the MMEA All-State Website. 

What Happens at the Audition?

Students will be given a specific audition time a couple of weeks prior to the audition. The times are sent to the school director from the audition coordinators. Students should plan on arriving at the audition location about an hour before their scheduled time. Do not wear anything that identifies your home school, director or private teacher.

Students will check in at a reception desk and be directed to a group warm-up room. This is usually the cafeteria or gymnasium where all of the auditioning students are running through their pieces one last time and getting ready to audition.

When it is about ten or fifteen minutes before your audition time, students should go to the assigned audition room with everything needed. You will then stand outside the audition room for up to ten minutes as the person before you finishes their audition. Make no noise in the halls, keep your reeds wet and silently blow warm air through your instrument The audition room is often just a classroom with the desks pushed to one side. There will be a chair and a stand waiting for you, and two judges seated at desks in front of you. One of the judges will invite you inside and probably ask if you would like to play a few warm-up notes. Go ahead and play anything you like that highlights your sound and gives you confidence. Do not play directly towards the judges. Give yourself some space between you and the judges-this will let the judges hear your best tone. You will be asked for either your scales or your prepared piece. The last thing is usually the sight-reading.

The whole process takes about six minutes. Because there are usually so many flute, and clarinet auditionees, there is a Finals Room (trumpet also at All-State). If you are a flute, or clarinet (or trumpet) player, you should be prepared to stay up to 45 minutes longer so that you can repeat the audition process in the Finals Room. Assuming that your first audition goes well, the judges will invite you to the Finals Room where you play the audition again for two different judges. The highest-scoring auditionees from the Finals Room will then be asked to participate in the band. The audition results are mailed to your band director about a month after the audition.

Being selected for All County and All-State Junior Band is a true honor and can be a life-changing event. Prepare well!