School Year Opportunities
School Year Opportunities
High school students have a wealth of performance opportunities throughout the school year. These include those listed below.
High School Honors Bands - Collegiate Hosts
Dates: Various
What is it?
Students apply and/or audition for placement in these Honors Bands. If accepted, they will get to spend a weekend rehearsing with the top student musicians in the region and playing some awesome band music! If you are interested, ask Mr. Lee for more details - the dates and application processes for this year's local college honors bands (Eastern Michigan, Oakland, Wayne State) are posted on the bulletin board in the band hallway.
MSBOA District XVI High School Honors Band
Dates: TBD @ Dakota HS
What is it?
Students apply for placement in the MSBOA District XVI High School Honors Band. If accepted, they will get to spend a weekend rehearsing with the top student musicians in MSBOA District XVI and playing some awesome band music! If you are interested, fill out the nomination request form in Schoology.
All-State Band
Auditions: TBD @ Warren Cousino HS. Various Times.
Dates: January 16-18 in Grand Rapids - Devos Place, Amway Grand, JW Marriott
What is it?
Students audition for placement in the MSBOA All-State Band. If accepted, they will get to spend a weekend rehearsing with the top student musicians in all of Michigan and playing some of the best band literature around! If you are interested, ask Mr. Lee for details.
Solo and Ensemble
District Level
Date: TBD - usually the 1st weekend of February
Registration Deadline: TBD
Location: Rochester HS
Costs:
Solo: 12.00
Duet: 16.00
Trio: 21.00
Quartet: 25.00
Quintet: 30.00
What is it?
Students can perform a solo or a duet, trio, quartet, etc. with their friends! This is a great way to get into chamber and solo music performance. Students who receive a rating of 1 (Superior) or 2 (Excellent) will be eligible to receive medals, which can be worn as a part of their band uniforms in concerts. Students who receive a rating of 1 will also be eligible for the state level event.
*students who perform in District S&E will be excused from the written midterm if performance obligations are met.*
State Level
Date: TBD - usually after Band Festival
Registration Deadline: Monday After Districts
Location: TBD
Costs:
9th Grade Solo: 15.00
Proficiency Solo: 21.00
Duet: 16.00
Trio: 18.00
Quartet: 20.00
Quintet: 22.00
What is it?
Students who advance from District S&E will perform their solo with a more detailed judging criteria. Students in 10th grade and up may elect for a Proficiency exam, which will include scales and sight-reading. This event is strongly recommended for students who wish to continue in music after high school, particularly if they are looking to major or minor in music during college.
DSO Civic Youth Ensembles (CYE)
Since its founding in 1970, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra CYE program has grown to provide musicians of all ages a comprehensive music experience. The program consists of two full orchestras, four string orchestras, three wind bands, and three jazz bands, each directed by highly-respected figures in Detroit's professional music community. Students in these ensembles have the opportunity to perform at the historic Orchestra Hall in Midtown Detroit. To learn more, go to their website at: https://www.dso.org/community-and-learning/wu-family-academy/civic-youth-ensembles/civic-youth-ensembles
Ferndale Community Concert Band
Founded in 2015, the Ferndale Community Concert Band is comprised mainly of adult musicians seeking to perform band music at a high level. The band often plays several staples in the repertoire, including but not limited to the Holst Suites, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa, and popular music including "Mambo" and "Somewhere" from West Side Story, the Pirates of the Carribean Soundtrack Highlights, and many others. Outstanding high school students may be invited to play in this ensemble via Mr. Lee's nomination - the band rehearses once a week in the Ferndale Middle School band room.