When it comes to concert band, contest is our "play-offs." It is our chance to show our community, the judges, other bands, and ourselves just what we're capable of. We get the opportunity to do this both as a full ensemble and as individuals or small groups. HS Contest happens on two different days in mid-March (16th & 17th), and JH Solo and Ensemble Contest will be on Saturday, March 11th (large ensemble contest will be scheduled soon).
High School Contest
For HS, attendance at our large ensemble contest on March 16th is MANDATORY, while participation in the solo/small ensemble contest is voluntary (but HIGHLY encouraged!). We will be taking buses up with the choir on the 16th and will eat lunch at different restaurants in West Plains. Students are required to wear concert black (no jeans, no t-shirts, no tennis shoes), so make sure they are prepared with the appropriate attire. For the solo/small ensemble contest the next day, we will be taking one bus, but parents are allowed to take their student at any time if necessary. All performances are open to the public, so if anyone in the community wants to come and watch, they are more than welcome! Performers on this day are simply required to wear nice clothing (think "Sunday best"). Small ensemble members are encouraged to try and match as best they can, but it is definitely not a necessity. The schedule for both days of HS contest will be available in early March, and if students need certain scheduling for their solo/small ensemble, they should let the director know as soon as they become aware of that need.
Things To Be Aware Of:
- All solos and ensembles must be on the PML (Prescribed Graded Music List). You can find the link to that list by following this link: gvlabs.com/festivalmanager/mshsaa/src/admin_pml.php. Pieces that are a Grade C are the easiest, while Grade A is the most difficult.
- All solos and ensembles must be at least 3 minutes long. If you are unsure if your piece meets these requirements, check on the PML. On the right hand side of the chart, there is a column labeled "Under 3 min." If there is a "Y" in that column adjacent to your piece, you will need to find a supplemental piece to go along with it or choose a new piece altogether.
- Ratings range from 5 to 1, 5 being the worst rating you can receive. If a solo or ensemble receives a 1 rating (including a 1-), they are eligible to perform at State Contest on April 28th in Columbia, MO. THIS IS A BIG DEAL. :)
- Students will receive their rating, as well as their score sheet, as they become available throughout the day (typically about 1-2 hours after the performance). Please know that whatever rating your performance receives, any student taking a solo or small ensemble should be commended for going above and beyond what is required and furthering his/her musicianship.
- Performance rooms will be open, and students are encouraged to attend as many of their fellow Hartville students' performances as they can, as well as the performances of other schools. You never know what you'll hear at contest!
- Students are required to meet with their accompanist at least once a week OUTSIDE OF CLASS for 30 minutes, starting the week of February 20th. They are also required to meet with the director once a week outside of class for 30 minutes the weeks of Feb. 6th and 13th. There will be a sign-up sheet for this on the bulletin board. The reason for this is so students do not procrastinate and forego practicing until close to contest, disrespecting the accompanist and embarassing themselves at their performance. The director is more than willing to work with any students' schedules, so please keep that in mind.
- The entry fees are $12 for solos and $15 for small ensembles. The school will pay for these fees if the solo or ensemble is taken to contest. However, if students choose to drop their event AFTER FEBRUARY 21ST, they must reimburse the band for the total fee. Please try not to drop your event after the deadline, though.
- Ensembles must consist of at least 50% 9-12th graders.
- Points toward the Music Honor Club will be awarded according to the document posted under the Documents -> For Students tab on this website.
- If students are academically ineligible to particpate in contest, they must complete a playing test on selected material as their grade for the event. A student is academically ineligible if he/she received more than one "F" the previous semester. If you know that you will not be eligible to perform, let the director know ASAP.
Junior High Contest
New this year, all junior high students are required to participate in at least one event for the solo/small ensemble contest. This is done in many other schools and greatly increases the overall musicianship of the band and the quality of its performances. The solo/small ensemble contest will be on Saturday, March 11th in Marshfield, MO. Students will play their piece(s) for a judge and receive a rating, just like HS contest. The community is more than welcome to come watch these performances, especially since the location is so close to home! The large ensemble contest date is still being decided and will be communicated before the end of January. Attendance at this event is also mandatory and is the most important event the full band will be playing at for the year.
Things To Be Aware Of:
- Each solo/ensemble is required to meet with the director once a week OUTSIDE OF CLASS for at least 20 minutes., starting the week of Feb. 6th. There will be a sign-up shet for this on the bulletin board. The reason for this is so students do not procrastinate and forego practicing until just before contest, embarassing themselves at their performance. If students have a scheduling issue, they should speak to the director ASAP so we are able to work it out.
- Ratings range from 5 to 1, 5 being the worst rating you can receive. Receiving a 1 rating is a big deal! However, please know that whatever rating a student receives, they should be commended for working hard and having the guts to perform in front of a judge and their peers.
- If a student is taking more than one solo or ensemble, he/she has until Feb. 15th to notify the director. If they wish to cancel after the deadline, he/she must pay the $10 entry fee back to the school.
- Students are required to wear nice clothes (think "Sunday best") for their performances at the solo/small ensemble festival. They should NOT wear jeans, t-shirts, or tennis shoes if at all possible. If students are performing in a small ensemble, they are encouraged to try and match the others in the group as much as possible (but this is definitely not required!).
- Points toward the Music Honor Club will be awarded according to the document posted under the Documents -> For Students tab on this website.
- If students are academically ineligible to particpate in contest, they must complete a playing test on selected material as their grade for the events. A student is academically ineligible if he/she received more than one "F" the previous semester. If you know that you will not be eligible to perform, let the director know ASAP.