Auditions and Festivals
Grades 9-12
DATES:
(Scroll down the page for Festival Links)
EASTERN REGION ORCHESTRA:
Auditions: Sat. Nov.16 at Manchester High School (save the entire date...we don't know the times)
Festival: Jan.3-4, 2020 @ UCONN
Festival Snow Dates: Jan.10-11, 2020
ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA
Prerequisite: Participate in Eastern Region High School Orchestra Festival.
Auditions: Sat. Feb. 8, 2020 @ North Haven High School.
Audition Snow Date: Sat. Feb.15, 2020
Festival: Thurs - Sat, April 2-4, 2020 @ the CT Convention Center.
NEW ENGLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Auditions: Sat. Dec. 14 @ Griswold High School, CT
Festival: Thurs - Sat. March 19-21, 2020
(Scroll down the page for Festival Links)
EASTERN REGION ORCHESTRA:
Auditions: Sat. Nov.16 at Manchester High School (save the entire date...we don't know the times)
Festival: Jan.3-4, 2020 @ UCONN
Festival Snow Dates: Jan.10-11, 2020
ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA
Prerequisite: Participate in Eastern Region High School Orchestra Festival.
Auditions: Sat. Feb. 8, 2020 @ North Haven High School.
Audition Snow Date: Sat. Feb.15, 2020
Festival: Thurs - Sat, April 2-4, 2020 @ the CT Convention Center.
NEW ENGLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Auditions: Sat. Dec. 14 @ Griswold High School, CT
Festival: Thurs - Sat. March 19-21, 2020
AUDITION PREPARATION:
- Find the website for your Festival. Read all information carefully.
- Pay attention to due dates for permission slips, payments, etc. Failure to make a due date could mean a missed audition.
- Reserve the entire day for the Audition. You will not know your audition time until possibly a couple weeks before the audition date.
- Start listening to recordings and practicing your music as soon as it is posted on the website. Many students start learning their solos a year in advance.
- Always have an original copy of the music with you when you walk into an audition.
- If there are scales, sight reading, or orchestral excerpts, make sure you spend time on these so they are as good as your solo piece.
- Dress for success!
- Work in advance, sleep and eat the week of the audition. Take good care of yourself!
FESTIVAL PREPARATION:
- Pay attention to due dates for permission, payments, etc. Failure to make a due date could mean a missed festival.
- You will not receive music for the festival without turning in paperwork, so turn it in as soon as possible. Every student who made the festival may be waiting on you!
- As soon as you know what the music is for the Festival, start listening to recordings so you know exactly what it should sound like.
- As soon as you have the sheet music in your hands, you should begin to practice. You are expected to know all of your notes and rhythms by the time you arrive at the first rehearsal. If you have mastered the music beyond notes & rhythms, you are truly striving for excellence.
- Know who your conductor is - Look up your maestro, and have an idea of who you will be playing for before you arrive.
- Always know what you are supposed to pack (food, clothing, concert attire, etc.).
- Know ahead of time if there will be seating auditions when you arrive. Be ready! (NEMFA...)
Eastern Region (ERHS) / All-State / Eastern Division
These festivals are hosted by CMEA. The auditions are held on a tiered system: A student must participate in the entire Eastern Region Festival to be eligible to audition for All-State, and All-State scores from odd years determine eligibility for Eastern Division.
AUDITIONS:
Scales & Music for Regional & All State Auditions have been adjusted as of May 2018.
Please note: suggested vs. required publisher for your solo piece.
Contact Ms. Fausel or refer to the website tab for a list if you need a reference for a private teacher.
Scales & Music for Regional & All State Auditions have been adjusted as of May 2018.
Please note: suggested vs. required publisher for your solo piece.
Contact Ms. Fausel or refer to the website tab for a list if you need a reference for a private teacher.
ALL-STATE Orchestra
Prerequisite: Participate in Eastern Region High School Orchestra Festival.
Auditions: Sat. Feb. 8, 2020 @ North Haven High School.
Audition Snow Date: Sat. Feb.15, 2020
Festival: Thurs - Sat, April 2-4, 2020 @ the CT Convention Center.
Prerequisite: Participate in Eastern Region High School Orchestra Festival.
Auditions: Sat. Feb. 8, 2020 @ North Haven High School.
Audition Snow Date: Sat. Feb.15, 2020
Festival: Thurs - Sat, April 2-4, 2020 @ the CT Convention Center.
ALL-EASTERN HONORS ENSEMBLES
Bi-Annual Audition & Festival.
Prerequisite: Participate in All State.
This is an extremely competitive Audition/Festival, and top players from the Eastern Seaboard of the USA participate.
SWHS had 3 students participate in March 2019, 2 from our Orchestra Program.
Next Festival: Spring 2021
Prerequisite: Participate in All State.
This is an extremely competitive Audition/Festival, and top players from the Eastern Seaboard of the USA participate.
SWHS had 3 students participate in March 2019, 2 from our Orchestra Program.
Next Festival: Spring 2021
South Windsor High School does not provide travel for All Eastern Honors Ensembles.
ALL NATIONAL HONORS ENSEMBLES
South Windsor High School does not provide travel or festival fees for All National Honors Ensembles.
New England Music Festival Association - NEMFA
This music festival is separate from CMEA/NAFME.
No Scales!
No Sight-Reading!
No waiting for a repertoire list - it's posted year-round.
Increase your audition experiences.
Attend an audition where you get live feedback: an on-the-spot music lesson with a professional musician.
Choose to play one movement or more from the repertoire you choose.
Make the festival? You will play in an orchestra of students from all over New England, with a nationally renowned conductor.
No Scales!
No Sight-Reading!
No waiting for a repertoire list - it's posted year-round.
Increase your audition experiences.
Attend an audition where you get live feedback: an on-the-spot music lesson with a professional musician.
Choose to play one movement or more from the repertoire you choose.
Make the festival? You will play in an orchestra of students from all over New England, with a nationally renowned conductor.
2018-2019
Auditions: Sat. Dec. 14 @ Griswold High School, CT
Festival: Thurs - Sat. March 19-21, 2020
Auditions: Sat. Dec. 14 @ Griswold High School, CT
Festival: Thurs - Sat. March 19-21, 2020
CHECK IT OUT! Your Regional and/or All-State audition music is probably on this list.
Medication on Overnight Field Trips
NEMFA
All-State
Medication on Overnight Field Trips
If your child will need to take a medication while on the field trip, an Authorization for the Administration of Medication by School Personnel form must be submitted in advance of the field trip. This includes any daily prescription medication, including topical medications. Also included are any over the counter medications your child takes, or may need to take, such as Tylenol, Advil, Tums or Vitamins. Prescription medication needs to be in a pharmacy bottle with the prescription label containing the least amount of the medication needed for the trip. (i.e. if the student will be on the field trip for two days, only two doses of the medication should be in the bottle). Over the counter medication needs to be in the original container with the student’s name on it, containing the least amount needed.
The Authorization for the Administration by School Personnel form needs to be filled out, signed and dated by the doctor on the upper part of the form. It needs to be signed and dated by the parent on the lower part of the form. The paperwork should be submitted to the school nurse TWO WEEKS prior to the field trip for review. It is best to speak with the school nurse well in advance of a field trip if there are any questions or concerns.
Your son/daughter may self- carry the medication if the doctor has checked YES they are capable of self- administration AND the parent has checked off (b) Self- administered by Board of Ed policy on the Authorization form. (Exception: Narcotic medications cannot be self- administered. The nurse or teacher will need to administer a narcotic medication).
A copy of the Authorization for the Administration of Medications form is attached. The doctor needs to fill out one form per medication.
If you have already submitted an Authorization form for a medication for this school year, it would be valid for this trip.
If your child will need to take a medication while on the field trip, an Authorization for the Administration of Medication by School Personnel form must be submitted in advance of the field trip. This includes any daily prescription medication, including topical medications. Also included are any over the counter medications your child takes, or may need to take, such as Tylenol, Advil, Tums or Vitamins. Prescription medication needs to be in a pharmacy bottle with the prescription label containing the least amount of the medication needed for the trip. (i.e. if the student will be on the field trip for two days, only two doses of the medication should be in the bottle). Over the counter medication needs to be in the original container with the student’s name on it, containing the least amount needed.
The Authorization for the Administration by School Personnel form needs to be filled out, signed and dated by the doctor on the upper part of the form. It needs to be signed and dated by the parent on the lower part of the form. The paperwork should be submitted to the school nurse TWO WEEKS prior to the field trip for review. It is best to speak with the school nurse well in advance of a field trip if there are any questions or concerns.
Your son/daughter may self- carry the medication if the doctor has checked YES they are capable of self- administration AND the parent has checked off (b) Self- administered by Board of Ed policy on the Authorization form. (Exception: Narcotic medications cannot be self- administered. The nurse or teacher will need to administer a narcotic medication).
A copy of the Authorization for the Administration of Medications form is attached. The doctor needs to fill out one form per medication.
If you have already submitted an Authorization form for a medication for this school year, it would be valid for this trip.
Connecticut Youth Symphony - CYS
CYS is run by the HARTT School of Music Community Division. This is an all-star ensemble with top level college directors. Auditions are held at the end of the year for the following year's ensembles.
HARTT is also the best place in the state to take private lessons. Considering the cost in both time and money for private lessons, please speak with your child's school music director before selecting a private instructor. There are many people who would be happy to make money by giving your child "lessons", but you want to be sure your child is receiving instruction that will help them play to the best of their ability.
National Youth Orchestra
Summer Programs
Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute
National Youth Orchestra - Ages 16-19
The National Youth Orchestra is hosted by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute.
- Comprehensive Audition process (Applications are due in November)
- $30 Application fee
- Summer Orchestral Training Program 2018 includes:
- Three-week training residency with leading professional orchestral musicians
- 2018 tour of Asia with conductor Michael Tilson-Thomas and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet
- Comprehensive Audition process (Applications are due in November)
- $30 Application fee
- Summer Orchestral Training Program 2018 includes:
- Three-week training residency with leading professional orchestral musicians
- 2018 tour of Asia with conductor Michael Tilson-Thomas and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet
NYO-2 - Ages 14-17
The NYO2 is hosted by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute
- Comprehensive Audition process (Applications are due in November)
- $30 application, Free summer program
- Focus on diversity, and attracting students underserved by & underrepresented in the Classical Music field.
- Summer Orchestral Training Program 2018 includes:
- 2 Week Training Session with New World Symphony Fellows at SUNY Purchase
- 6 day residency at Miami Beach
- Performance at New World Center with conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto and violinist Gil Shaham
- July performance at Carnegie Hall, joined by New World Symphony Fellows & alumni
- Comprehensive Audition process (Applications are due in November)
- $30 application, Free summer program
- Focus on diversity, and attracting students underserved by & underrepresented in the Classical Music field.
- Summer Orchestral Training Program 2018 includes:
- 2 Week Training Session with New World Symphony Fellows at SUNY Purchase
- 6 day residency at Miami Beach
- Performance at New World Center with conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto and violinist Gil Shaham
- July performance at Carnegie Hall, joined by New World Symphony Fellows & alumni