Band Handbook
Part 4
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SOLO AND ENSEMBLE CONTEST
Each year the North East Independent School District sponsors middle school solo and ensemble contests. The 7th and 8th grade contest is held in January and the 6th grade contest is the first Saturday in May. These contests are open to all band student. It is the hope of the Bradley directors that all Bradley band students will participate in these contests. Students entering the solo and ensemble contest must pay an entry fee for participation (usually $5.00 per person per event). Those playing solos must supply music and piano accompanist. The band office will supply names of piano accompanists if needed. The directors will help students select music for this contest. The band library contains many excellent examples of solos and ensembles and the students are encouraged to begin looking early through our collection and also at Southern Music Company or RBC Music.
REGION HONOR BAND
Region 12 sponsors a program to honor the outstanding middle school band seventh and eighth grade students from throughout our region. Members of the honor bands are selected based on an audition of scales and prepared music. Those students selected for the band will participate in a clinic and concert under the leadership of a well known conductor. It is an extreme honor to be selected to this elite group and Bradley has always been well represented. All Bradley band members are encouraged to participate. This will be a required event for Bradley Honor Band Members. Extra credit will be given for this event. Students will be screened to find their level of performance on the required material. Participation will be denied those who fall short of the district standards.
UIL CONCERT BAND CONTEST
The UIL Concert Band Contest is a very important event each year. The Bradley Bands will actually be involved in several associated events. If we participate and perform as we did last year, we will do the following:
Some of the events will take place during school hours and some will occur in the evening or on the weekend. The directors hope for great support from band students and parents during the contest period.
JAZZ CONTESTS
The Stage Band/Jazz Ensemble participates in four jazz contests. The stage band is, by its very nature, a smaller ensemble and this can be a disadvantage. All stage band members must participate in all concerts and contests. All members are vital to performance. All students and families should start planning now to be present for those dates for Southwest Jazz Festival, Alamo Tournament of Bands , Fiesta Jazz Festival, and the Palo Alto Jazz Festival. The bands also participate in fund raisers at Churchill and MacArthur High Schools, for "Big Brothers and Sisters", our elementary schools, Central Park Mall, the Rodeo, etc.
Bradley was the founding school and has been the host since inception of the NEISD Jazz Festival. This event is held at an area mall in May and is an all day affair for our groups. Our groups perform at mid-day and groups from other middle school and high schools fill out the day. Our students, parents, and directors oversee and help the other bands get on and off.
We will give as much notice on the lesser events as is possible. On very short notice performances, students will check with their parents and the band will vote whether or not to accept the engagement. Parental support is the backbone of our jazz program. Parents will be called on to chaperone or provide transportation for many of our performances.
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