Districts/SEMSBA
What are Districts and SEMSBA?The MMEA Southeastern District and Southeastern Massachusetts School Bandmasters Association (SEMSBA) are two local musical organizations who host annual festivals featuring band, orchestra and chorus students from our part of the state.
How do I participate in the Districts or SEMSBA Festival?Students are selected by audition only. HMS Band students are not required to audition, and auditions should only be attempted by those with adequate time and proficiency to do so.
Is there a fee to participate?There is a nominal ($10-$15) fee for students to audition for these festivals. Though there is a fee to participate in these festivals for accepted students, this is traditionally covered by the Hingham Music Parents Association.
What does an audition look like?Interested students will be asked to prepare a specific piece of music chosen by festival staff and memorize a series of major scales. Audition piece/scale information will be posted on the festival's website several months in advance of the audition date. At the audition, Hingham students will travel together to a designated audition site (typically a local middle/high school) and perform individual, private auditions for judges who will evaluate their technique and musicianship and assign them a score. Students will typically also be asked to play brief excerpts of unfamiliar music to demonstrate their sight reading skills. Scores are tabulated and highest-performing students are accepted to the festival.
What happens next for accepted students?Accepted students are grouped into large ensembles (like our bands at HMS) and sent music to prepare in advance of the festival. The festival itself takes place a few months later at a local middle/high school with a guest conductor and culminates in the ensemble giving a public concert. Accepted students are expected to attend the festival in its entirety.
Will interested students prepare for their auditions during class?No. Though Mr. Cincotta is available to assist with audition preparation before or after school, students are expected to work on their pieces/scales primarily on their own time. Students enrolled in private music lessons may work with their instructors to prepare as well.
Where do I go for more information?Interested students should discuss these festivals with Mr. Cincotta. Audition repertoire/additional information can be found on the linked sites below.
Note: Each organization hosts both a Junior Festival open to students in grades 7-9 and a Senior Festival open to students in grades 9-12. Freshmen are allowed to audition for both festivals.