Solo & Ensemble is a chance for students to perform as soloists and/or in small groups before judges who give personal feedback, as well as individual ratings. Students choose music from different categories based on difficulty.

The District S&E event is held at BHSN every year in January or February. In 2016, Wind, percussion, and string students will play on Feb. 6, 2016, while vocal and piano performances will occur a week earlier on Jan. 30, 2016. Participants come from many schools and are scheduled to play at different times in various rooms throughout the school. Hours are between 8:30 am and about 3:30 pm.

This is actually a great event for family members to attend, since individual instruments can be clearly heard! All band students are encouraged to participate by playing a solo and/or an ensemble piece. Anyone can watch, but normally there are only a few people attending each performance. Note that although there is a schedule for each room, some judges take longer to give their feedback, and things can run late.

The State contest will be held Feb. 20 (Vocal and Piano) and Feb. 27 (Winds, Percussion, and Strings) in Indianapolis. District Group I Gold winners are eligible to attend. An application form and payment for the state contest must be submitted AT the district contest!

Performers

Students should check the schedule posted on the band website or at the event for their warm-up and performance rooms. A little before the performance time, a student should report to the performance room and check in with the door monitor who will tell them if there are delays. After performing, students wait in the hall for a few minutes to find out what award they received. They can then collect a medal (pin) at the central awards table before they leave. Group I performers who receive a Gold are eligible to enter the State-level contest – don’t forget to register and pay before departing if you want to go!

Volunteers

This event can succeed only with the help of all our band students and a great many parent volunteers! Students are asked to be judges’ assistants (organized by Ms. Stockhouse and Mr. Wilson in class). Some may also work in the concessions area. Parents are requested to donate food for the lunch provided for the judges, sell concessions, and act as door monitors.

Parents and students who are volunteering should check in at room 901 to get details about their jobs. Door monitors keep track of who has arrived, who is performing next, hand music and award notices back to students, and keep things reasonably quiet in the hall. Parents can leave their posts to watch their children’s performances after arranging for someone else to take over, if necessary. The judges’ assistants can act as door monitors for short times. Students acting as judge’s assistants should watch the clock and leave in time to warm up and perform. (Friends or relatives can help by letting them know if things are running late.)

Accompanists

Many solos require some piano accompaniment. You many make your arrangements for this (but talk to Ms. Stockhouse if it’s not a private lesson teacher or other professional). The person listed below is also available.

Susan Schoch - sbschoch at yahoo.com

$15 if contacted & music received by December 20
$20 if contacted & music received by January 10
$25 if contacted & music received January 11 or later

The fee includes a 30-minute rehearsal & the regional ISSMA performance. Additional rehearsal time is $15/hour. Most folks come to my studio to rehearse, but I might be able to arrange some time at school.
For Group I performers, State would be an additional $20 for 1 30-minute rehearsal & the ISSMA performance, plus $15/hour for any additional rehearsal.