Dear Students,
It’s that time of year where we start thinking about auditions for county, state, and regional honor bands. We have a lot 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 for an audition. While honor band auditions are certainly optional (not graded), everyone in band should consider challenging themselves to complete an audition. You can also earn a Varsity Band letter by being accepted into an honor band (see the band handbook for details). 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/
There will soon be a sign-up sheet currently posted in the band room for recording WIBC and All-Northwest honor band auditions. Please be sure to claim a spot sooner rather than later. Recording times start September 28!
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). The Music Boosters will also cover up to $5,000 of honor band costs to be split amongst all honor band participants. Depending on the number of students who audition and selected, this could cover part or all of your honor band costs.
I would encourage ALL of you to take a look at the honor band information below and consider auditioning for one or more groups. If you choose to record your auditions here at school using one of the practice rooms, please fill out this form as soon as you record so I can download the recordings: https://docs.google.com/forms/
LCRMEA Honor Band
Audition Deadline: September 20 at 9:00am
Registration Cost: $40
Dates: Rehearsals 10/1, 10/3, 10/9 – 5-8pm and 10/10 9am-3pm, Concert 10/11 – 6pm
Location: Mt. View HS
Transportation: Carpool with other students or arrange own transportation (school/boosters do not provide transportation)
Audition Materials and More Information: https://drive.
Description: This honor band
Western International Band Clinic
Audition Deadline: October 11 at 11:59pm
Participation Cost: $450 (participation fee and hotel)
Dates: Friday, November 22 – Monday, November 25 (missing 1 day of school)
Location: DoubleTree Hotel, Seatac, WA
Transportation: Carpool with other students or arrange own transportation (school/boosters do not provide transportation)
Audition Materials and More Information: https://
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.
NAfME All-Northwest Small Schools Wind Symphony
Audition Deadline: October 2 at 9:00am
Registration Cost: $340 (participation fee, food) HOTEL NOT INCLUDED
SCHOLARSHIP: COMPLETE THE SCHOLARSHIP PACKET IN THIS PROGRAM IF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED AND TURN IN WITH YOUR AUDITION https://wmea.org/wp-content/
Dates: Friday, February 14 – Saturday, February 15 (Presidents’ Day weekend)
Location: Spokane
Transportation: Carpool with other students or arrange own transportation (school/boosters do not provide transportation)
Audition Materials: https://
More Information: https://wmea.
Description: This state honor band is open to students from all 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 Saturday afternoon, with a concert Saturday evening. 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.
WMEA All-State Concert Band and Jazz Band
Audition Deadline: October 2 at 9:00am
Registration Cost: $340 (participation fee, food) HOTEL NOT INCLUDED
SCHOLARSHIP: COMPLETE THE SCHOLARSHIP PACKET IN THIS PROGRAM IF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED AND TURN IN WITH YOUR AUDITION https://wmea.org/wp-content/
Dates: Jazz Band Thursday, February 13 – Friday, February 14; Concert Band Friday, February 14 – Saturday, February 15
Location: Spokane
Transportation: Carpool/fly with other students or arrange own transportation (school/boosters do not provide transportation)
Audition Materials and More Information: https://wmea.org/
Description: This honor band
Pacific Lutheran University NW High School Honor Band
Application Deadline: October 1
Registration Cost: $125 registration, plus approx. $100 for hotel (depends on # of HHS students accepted)
Dates: Thursday, January 4 – Saturday, January 6
Location: Pacific Lutheran University, Parkland, WA
Transportation: Carpool with Mr. McEnry
Audition Materials: If you wish to be considered for this honor band, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/
More Information: https://www.plu.
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 three 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: $50 (registration fee and food)
Dates: Friday, February 7 – Saturday, February 8
Location: Hockinson High School
Application Materials: Watch for an application in the coming weeks
Description: 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 apply 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 30 HHS students!
—
|
|
Corey McEnry Band Director Hockinson High School | (360) 448-6450 x5594 Band Website | Facebook | HHS Website Preparing all students for lifelong success. |
