About All-West
Each year, the West Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association (W.T.S.B.O.A) puts on a large convention in the Cannon Center downtown to show off all the great things that are happening with music education in West Tennessee.
Since the students are the greatest things that can happen in education, the most successful players are selected to participate in honor bands of other high achievers with guest conductors of great skill and prestige. The Junior High category (6th - 9th graders) is separated into 3 bands: Blue, Red, and Gold.
The goal of the bands is to reward hard-working and dedicated students with an enriched learning experience in a large group of their peers. The hope is that students will return from the event with a greater appreciation for music, their instruments, and players from schools all over the region. Additionally, we hope that students learn new and useful techniques to share with their home bands.
Since the students are the greatest things that can happen in education, the most successful players are selected to participate in honor bands of other high achievers with guest conductors of great skill and prestige. The Junior High category (6th - 9th graders) is separated into 3 bands: Blue, Red, and Gold.
The goal of the bands is to reward hard-working and dedicated students with an enriched learning experience in a large group of their peers. The hope is that students will return from the event with a greater appreciation for music, their instruments, and players from schools all over the region. Additionally, we hope that students learn new and useful techniques to share with their home bands.
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra
The Auditions
This year's auditions will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2015!
As with most of the top programs in the region, the AMS Band requires all students with two or more years of experience to audition for All-West. Students are obviously not required to make the clinic, but we expect every student to do his best all the time.
The auditions are blind, which means that students and judges will not be able to see each other. Students will also be asked not to talk in the audition room. This preserves the anonymity of the students auditioning to avoid any inappropriate favoritism. Students will be led by a room monitor, who will be one of the teachers in W.T.S.B.O.A. The monitor will not have a role in judging the students' performances.
The audition has three parts. Some instruments will do all three parts in the same room, but most will move between two or three rooms for different parts of the audition.
Audition results are usually released on either Monday or Tuesday of the following week. Do not assume any placement or rumor is correct until you hear from Mr. Foster.
As with most of the top programs in the region, the AMS Band requires all students with two or more years of experience to audition for All-West. Students are obviously not required to make the clinic, but we expect every student to do his best all the time.
The auditions are blind, which means that students and judges will not be able to see each other. Students will also be asked not to talk in the audition room. This preserves the anonymity of the students auditioning to avoid any inappropriate favoritism. Students will be led by a room monitor, who will be one of the teachers in W.T.S.B.O.A. The monitor will not have a role in judging the students' performances.
The audition has three parts. Some instruments will do all three parts in the same room, but most will move between two or three rooms for different parts of the audition.
- Prepared Music: Play all three official tunes in succession. Mr. Foster will provide you with this music in August. Digital copies will be available on the top of this webpage. Start working on this music as soon as you receive it. A clean copy will be available when you come in the audition room.
- Scales: You will then play three scales: two majors and their chromatic. The two major scales will be chosen at random and can be any two of the 12 total major scales. The room monitor will indicate which scales you should play in your key (ex. the C major scale starts on your C). When your majors are done, play your chromatic. Practice exactly how you will do the chromatic before you audition. It is every note, in order, in your full range. Play your best, do not try to copy someone else. Play all scales both up and down.
- Sight-Reading: The room monitor will then give you a piece of music (usually two lines) that you have never seen or heard before. You will have about 30 seconds to silently look over the piece. You may not play or sing, but you should finger, breathe tap your toe, and count in your head. You will then play through the piece one time without stopping.
Audition results are usually released on either Monday or Tuesday of the following week. Do not assume any placement or rumor is correct until you hear from Mr. Foster.
Audition Location
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All students in the region audition on the same day for the same judges. Every year, the site alternates between a school the Memphis area and one in the Jackson area. Transportation is provided to the Jackson area auditions. This year, the auditions are being held at our own Arlington High School. If you expect to have trouble making it to the auditions on that day, contact Mr. Foster as soon as possible. A map is provided below.
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If You Make the Clinic
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Congratulations! Each year, over 1,000 students audition, so being on the top players is a wonderful honor. You and your parents should be very proud of your accomplishment.
Alternates are runners-up to the Gold Band. While they do not perform, they are usually honored as well. Although not typical, Alternates may be asked to move into the Gold Band in the event that a higher ranked player cannot make the clinic. It is very unlikely that you will be asked to play. Mr. Foster will let you know as soon as possible if there is an opening. The participation fee charged by W.T.S.B.O.A. is $30. You should pay this to the AMS Band, so we can pay for everyone. The clinic starts on a Thursday afternoon and ends with a performance on Saturday afternoon. Students can find their own transportation, carpool, or stay at the Sheraton downtown. |
