Samford University Honor Band
January 7-9, 2010
Attention Honor Band Participants!
The Audition Process consists of the following:
- One short sight reading exercise
- Selected scales (determined by the instrumental judge)--more than likely the scales will be within the first three sharp and flat scales
- One short prepared exercise. The prepared piece will be the first Alabama All-State exercise for this year.
**Samford Honor Band Concert Attire is your band uniform. If you do not have a band uniform, or are unable to bring your uniform for any reason, Sunday dress attire will be acceptable. Students are welcome to wear any medals from previous honor bands, etc. We apologize that this was not included in any previous information.**
FORMS, DIRECTIONS TO SAMFORD, AND A LIST OF AREA HOTELS ARE AVAILABLE BELOW.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jim Smisek at jjsmisek@samford.edu.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS
- Make your travel plans now. Out of town students can find reasonably priced housing at any of the motels listed on the enclosure. Housing arrangements and chaperoning are your responsibility. In many cases, band directors will be attending and will provide transportation and chaperoning, but still be sure to confirm your specific travel arrangements.
- Send in the Confirmation Form and a $65 check as soon as possible. This amount will include three meals, masterclass, and an honor band T-shirt. (Please note that Samford Honor Band does not provide medals.) Make checks or money orders payable to Samford University Bands. We ask that you postmark your confirmation form no later than January 1st, 2010.
- Check-in will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 7th. Check-in for middle school students will be at the Jane Hollock Brock Recital Hall lobby, and check-in for high school students will be at the Leslie S. Wright Center lobby.
- Chair placement auditions will begin at 4:30 p.m. Your audition will consist of selected scales, a short sight-reading exercise and the prepared piece that is enclosed. (The prepared piece is the first Alabama All-State exercise for your instrument.) The first rehearsal will begin shortly after the auditions, and will end at 9:15 p.m.
- ALL HONOR BAND PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A WIRE MUSIC STAND. Please label your stand before Honor Band weekend. Please plan to bring all necessary musical equipment including extra reeds, mutes for brass instruments, all sticks and mallets for percussionists, etc.
- CONCERT ATTIRE is your band uniform. If for any reason you can not bring your band uniform to Honor Band, dress clothes will be acceptable. Students are welcome to wear any medals they have acquired throughout their musical career.
Sample Schedule for Honor Band 2010:
Thursday, January 7
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Check-In and Registration
Wright Center Lobby (HS)
Brock Recital Hall Lobby (MS)
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Chair placement auditions
8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Rehearsal
Locations TBA
Friday, January 8
9:00 a.m. – Noon Rehearsal
Noon – 1:00 p.m Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Rehearsal
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Masterclasses
Locations TBA
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Rehearsal
Saturday, January 9
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. HS Blue Band (Smisek) Rehearsal
10:05 a.m. - 11:05 a.m. HS Red Band (Wright) Rehearsal
11:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. MS Blue Band (Atkins) Rehearsal
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. MS Red Band (Cooper) Rehearsal
2:30 p.m.Concert in the Wright Center
Dear Colleagues,
I am very pleased to inform you about the Fourth Annual Samford University Honor Band on January 7-9, 2010. This year we will have two Middle School Honor Bands and two High School Honor Bands! Here are some details about what we are working to accomplish:
- Each band will consist of approximately 90-100 students whom you recommend as the top musicians within your programs.
- The event will take place in our beautiful Brock Hall facilities that include our new rehearsal hall and recital hall and our 2800-seat Wright Center Auditorium.
- The cost for each honor band participant is $65. This will include three meals, a masterclass, and an honor band t-shirt.
- Included with this letter is the application, schedule, director ranking form, and honor band poster.
1. Directors, please collect completed applications from your students and place them in rank order. Also fill out the ranking form by ranking the most outstanding musicians first. Please mail all applications together.
2. Applications must be postmarked by November 16, 2009.
3. A list of accepted applicants will be placed on the honor band website in early December. We will also email directors the acceptance results.
4. If your students have been accepted and will be attending please have them fill out the confirmation form (found on website) and send in payment postmarked no later than Friday, December 11.
5. Chair placement auditions will be Thursday afternoon and the first rehearsal will begin shortly after the auditions.
6. More information including all forms are available at: http://www.samford.edu/band/honor_band.html
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to working with you and your students in the near future.
Sincerely,
Dr. James J. Smisek
Director of Bands
205-726-2485
jjsmisek@samford.edu
More Information
Map and Directions to Samford University
If you have any questions regarding the Samford University Honor Band, please contact Director Jim Smisek at jjsmisek@samford.edu.
