Dear Students,
It’s that time of year where we start thinking about auditions for county, state, and regional honor bands. We have a core group of students who are very enthusiastic toward honor bands, but many students either don’t know about honor band opportunities or are apprehensive about preparing an audition. While honor band auditions are certainly optional (not graded), everyone in band should consider challenging themselves to complete an audition. I STRONGLY urge Wind Ensemble members (and percussionists who play with Wind Ensemble) and upperclassmen to prepare and submit at least one audition.
Honor bands are a fantastic way to challenge your own abilities, meet music students from outside of Hockinson, get introduced to world-renowned composers/conductors/professors, add items of distinction to job and college applications, earn points toward lettering in band, and are just a great way to have fun playing music!
There is a sign-up sheet currently posted in the band room for recording WIBC and All-State honor band auditions. Please be sure to claim a spot sooner rather than later. Recording times start September 26!
Keep in mind that any audition fees are covered by the HHS Music Boosters, so there’s no money out-of-pocket to audition. If you are accepted, there are varying amounts of registration fees for each band (depending on location and number of days/nights). You would need to pay for those registration fees, but you can access your fundraising balance or even apply for a limited number of needs-based scholarships through the HHS Music Boosters.
I would encourage ALL of you to take a look at the honor band information below and consider auditioning for one or more groups.
Western International Band Clinic Honor Bands
Audition Deadline: October 7 at 11:59pmRegistration Cost: $348 (participation fee and hotel)Dates: Friday, November 17 – Monday, November 20 (missing 2 days of school)Location: DoubleTree Hotel, Seatac, WAAudition Materials: http://www.bandworld.org/WIBC/View.aspx?p=WIBC_Audition (can also submit Washington All-State Concert Band audition materials)
More Information: http://www.bandworld.org/WIBC
Description: Students will be placed in one of four 175-person honor bands and rehearse with several conductors from Friday evening to Monday morning with a concert Monday afternoon. Guest artists also perform evening concerts throughout the weekend which students can attend. This is the most popular honor band I sent students to, and a GREAT honor band for those who have never done an honor band. Several students attend this honor band multiple years in a row.
Washington All-State Small Schools Wind Symphony
Audition Deadline: October 10 at 9:00amRegistration Cost: $345 (participation fee, food, and hotel)Dates: Friday, February 16 – Sunday, February 18 (Presidents’ Day weekend)Location: Yakima, WAAudition Materials: http://www.wmea.org/Content/C18/2018/WindSymph/2018%20WMEA%20All-State%20Wind%20Symphony%20Audition%20Materials.pdf
SCHOLARSHIP: COMPLETE THE SCHOLARSHIP PACKET IN THIS PROGRAM IF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED AND TURN IN WITH YOUR AUDITIONhttp://www.wmea.org/Content/C18/2018/2018%20High%20School%20All-State%20Application%20Packet.pdf
More Information: http://www.wmea.org/ardisplay.aspx?ID=18
Description: This state honor band is open to students from all Washington public schools 2A and smaller. Students will be placed in one band of about 100-150 musicians in size. Rehearsals start Friday afternoon and continue to Sunday morning, with a concert Sunday afternoon. One conductor per group, usually a renowned university conductor. The audition material for this honor band is EXACTLY THE SAME as the Hockinson HS Wind Ensemble audition materials, so if you’re in Wind Ensemble I HIGHLY urge you to complete this audition.
Washington All-State Concert Band
Audition Deadline: October 10 at 9:00amRegistration Cost: $345 (participation fee, food, and hotel)Dates: Friday, February 16 – Sunday, February 18 (Presidents’ Day weekend)Location: Yakima, WAAudition Materials: http://www.wmea.org/Content/C18/2018/2018%20WMEA%20All-State%20Winds%20and%20Percussion%20Set%20C.pdfSCHOLARSHIP: COMPLETE THE SCHOLARSHIP PACKET IN THIS PROGRAM IF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED AND TURN IN WITH YOUR AUDITION http://www.wmea.org/Content/C18/2018/2018%20High%20School%20All-State%20Application%20Packet.pdf
More Information: http://www.wmea.org/ardisplay.aspx?ID=18
Description: This honor band is open to students from all Washington public schools. Students will be placed in one of two concert bands of about 100-150 musicians in size. Rehearsals start Friday afternoon and continue to Sunday morning, with a concert Sunday afternoon. One conductor per group, usually a renowned university conductor. I recommend this honor band for those who have made it into WIBC or the All-State Wind Symphony before and are looking for an additional challenge, but the audition is not to be taken lightly.
Pacific Lutheran University NW High School Honor Band
Application Deadline: October 15Registration Cost: $110 registration, plus approx. $90 for hotel (depends on number of HHS students accepted)Dates: Thursday, January 6 – Saturday, January 8Location: Pacific Lutheran University, Parkland, WAAudition Materials: If you wish to be considered for this honor band, please complete this form: https://goo.gl/forms/iod4E3sNinRDCjHz1
More Information: https://www.plu.edu/music/workshops/northwest-high-school-honor-band/
Description: Students are accepted based on their accomplishments and director’s recommendation. Hotel accommodations are arranged through me, and we often split rooms with Washougal HS students to bring the cost down. If selected, students will perform a live audition on the first day of the event for chair placement in one of two 100-person concert bands. The concert is Saturday evening at PLU. One conductor per group, usually a renowned university conductor. I recommend applying for this honor band if you are a junior or senior, as preference usually seems to be given to upperclassmen.
North County Honor Band
Application Deadline: TBA (early October)Registration Cost: $40 (registration fee and food)Dates: Friday, January 19 – Saturday, January 20Location: Hockinson High SchoolApplication Materials: Watch for an application next weekDescription: A local honor band made up of students from Hockinson, Prairie, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, Woodland, Camas, and Washougal high schools. Students are selected based on an application detailing their musical accomplishments and director’s recommendation. Rehearsals happen Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday afternoon with a concert at HHS Saturday evening. One conductor per group, usually a university conductor from a major Oregon or Washington university. I HIGHLY recommend everyone applies for this honor band. In past years, the honor band has been made up of more Hockinson students than any other school. Most years it’s more than 20 HHS students!