In October I posted a blog about competitions for concert bands and within the three bands seating placement. As I noted then, students can challenge the person ahead of them for their seat. The big competition that the top players look toward is competing for the two district bands. Freshman (9th grade) compete against Seniors. Each school in the district is allowed to send a certain portion of their students the auditions, which took Saturday morning and into this afternoon.
Josh’s school encourages each band student to audition. It is expected that each student in the Symphonic band (their players) and the top two chairs of the other two concert bands to go through the ranking process. Most schools have similar expectations of their best students.
Josh went to the auditions as a freshman for the experience even though he knew he would not make either of the two district bands. Last year he was ranked 11th in the district, falling just short of making into the second district band.
Today Josh made second chair in the top district band. Two other trombones from his school have also made it into the top eleven (top band has 3 trombones including a base trombone, the other has 7 including a base trombone). Being ranked second also allows Josh to audition for the all-state band (top three tenor trombones and the top base go to the state auditions). Five Oakton students made it into the top band.
Reflective Wanderings - Reflections on various topics that arise out of my personal, life and professional experiences. There are also are some family related news, travels and pictures.
5 comments:
I'm pleased for Joshua and very proud of him and his friends. Those who did well in their auditions were gracious "winners," and those who were disappointed with their results were equally gracious. Exercising their musical chops was just a small part of what these kids did today. The most significant stuff that took place was the way they exercised their social and emotional skills.
We should also note that the band members before and after their audition escort the players to and from the warm-up rooms and audition rooms, help monitor the warm-up rooms, and help with other logistical matters. The parents look after registration, hosting the judges, score tabulation (some past grads who are now music majors were involved in tabulations as well) and refreshments.
way to go Josh!
Good for you Josh! Next year.....first chair!
good luck!
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