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HS All-Region Auditions - how to get more students involved

Posted by hey on 5/16/2025, 3:06 pm

I’d like to increase the number of participants for All-Region Auditions (and Solo & Ensemble). How can I get more involved when the music, at first glance, is unapproachable? Anyone have a good system in place for helping students through the process on top of all the marching band stuff? Anyone have a system that allows all students at all levels find success in the process, like a tiered approach?

I eventually want majority of students in my program to participate but students are automatically turned off when they see the music and I don’t have a good process in place right now.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Re: HS All-Region Auditions - how to get more students involved

Posted by Maybe on 5/19/2025, 12:21 pm, in reply to "HS All-Region Auditions - how to get more students involved "

I had to drag my kids kicking and screaming their first year for the same reason, it looked scary so that meant they didn't want to tackle it. I posted reference recordings and made chunks into playing tests so that kids sat down with it. Of course a lot of them hated it at first, but when they auditioned and heard others struggling then made a band it really pushed their motivation.

Once they did the process and were celebrated for making a band the rest started to fall into place. Even though other people were scared they started doing it too, and gradually it became something the kids look forward to each year. Now they all tell the JH the same thing, the music only looks scary but isn't that bad.

Re: HS All-Region Auditions - how to get more students involved

Posted by older than dirt on 5/19/2025, 11:12 am, in reply to "HS All-Region Auditions - how to get more students involved "

short answer: have students be successful and come back talking it up to others. The challenge is providing the guidance from beginning to be able to perform the audition music. If others are able to perform it and your students are not, something is missing. Someone said start with High School. I disagree. If you can get MS students involved and successful, they will strive to achieve. I have been in places that had many participants and I have been in places where they were intimidated. It just takes one being successful to "break" the glass. Don't make it all about making the band as much as personal improvement. But, they want to be successful.

Re: HS All-Region Auditions - how to get more students involved

Posted by Me on 5/17/2025, 9:36 am, in reply to "HS All-Region Auditions - how to get more students involved "

If the music is inaccessible, you need to improve the technical skill of your kids. That starts with quality teaching in 6th grade.

What requirements do your junior high schools have for Solo ensemble and all region? Work to improve the participation at that level. It will pay dividends in the long run for your own program.

Re: HS All-Region Auditions - how to get more students involved

Posted by DesertJazz on 5/17/2025, 9:06 am, in reply to "HS All-Region Auditions - how to get more students involved "

In my opinion, it's not going to start in the high school for region, you have to start that in JH. About 16 years ago I began requiring it from the JH top group. We prepared their music in class and made sure they were taught it. (Not just throwing fodder out there) As the high school director now it's very evident that the kids get in the habit of auditioning then - which to me is the first step!

We have an 'Applied Music' class where they are required to try out for region in the fall, and do solo and ensemble in the spring. It's been our reliable way of building those players with a bit more one-on-one time available, and practice time for them during the day then.

You also have to teach students that anything is scary when they first see it, but if you take it note by note, chunk by chunk, you can learn it. That again to me is a process that starts in junior high, and really beginning band to me!

There is one person who has made XML files of ATSSB music and I think he did the TMEA music as well. If you have access to SmartMusic or MusicFirst that can be helpful to the kids. We've also purchased recordings from Dallas Winds and others that we've shared with the kids to practice with. I also point out that YouTube versions can be slowed down to help too.

One other thing that can help, especially if you know you're not going to be long in the playoffs, is to have a practice 'lock-in' event close to the auditions.

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