Solo and Ensemble Festival

Solo and Ensemble Festival
Middle school band members are strongly encouraged to participate in the annual Solo and
Ensemble Festival. The experience of performing a solo (student performs alone with a piano
accompanist) or in an ensemble (a small group, usually 2-4 students often of the same instrument or
instrument family) is both fun and rewarding. Participating students perform in front of a judge and
are given a rating and feedback on their performance. Students will receive help from Mrs. Lyons
and Mr. Kehl leading up to the event.
Festival Information
When: Saturday, February 9, 2013; times TBA
Where: Liberty JHS; 5900 81 st Street, Burbank, IL
Parents are responsible for their child’s transportation and should attend the performance.
Attire: Students are representing our school and should wear dress clothes.
Solo and Ensemble Festival is run by IGSMA (IL Grade School Music Assoc.). This organization
is responsible for assigning times, hiring judges, and setting the contest fees.
Mr. Kehl and Mrs. Lyons will be at the site that day for support.
Solos
Students who perform a solo rehearse and perform with a piano accompanist. The OLHMS Band
will provide students with an accompanist, and parents are responsible for contest entry fees and
accompanist fees. Rehearsals with the accompanist will be held at OLHMS, and times will be
scheduled for the participants. If you are taking private lessons, your teacher may pick out a solo,
but Mrs. Lyons and Mr. Kehl must approve it. If you have someone to accompany your solo and do
not need an assigned accompanist, please indicate this on the entry form.
Ensembles
Students who participate in an ensemble must list the names of the other students that they would
like to perform with. Please talk to the others first to be sure they want to participate. Each
participating member of an ensemble needs to turn in an entry form. Music will be provided for the
ensembles. Parents should be aware that there is an entry fee for participating ensemble members.
See the next page for a list of ensembles students may choose from.
Rehearsals and Help Sessions
Students will be provided with music and are expected to start learning it immediately. Mrs. Lyons
and Mr. Kehl will help in learning the music; however, the students are expected to prepare their
music ahead of time. Those in an ensemble are expected to practice together outside of school.
Parents should help coordinate these practice sessions. Members of an ensemble are dependant on
each other to have a successful performance. Please emphasize the importance of responsibility and
follow-through with your child.
For students playing a solo:
As the festival draws near, 2 rehearsals with the accompanist will be scheduled for your child. The
accompanist fee includes two 15-minute sessions. Students are expected to be at the accompanist
sessions on time and prepared to play. If a child misses a session or is late, that time will not be
made up. Fees are non-refundable, and we ask that you please emphasize the importance of
responsibility and follow-through with your child.
Student Recital - MANDATORY
We will have mandatory student recital on Wednesday, February 6 th in the evening at OLHMS.
Parents and guests should plan to attend!

Return this form with payment by Monday, November 5
My child has permission to participate in the Solo and Ensemble Festival.
_____________________________________
Parent or Guardian Signature
______________________________
Student Name (print)
What would you like to do? (Circle one) Solo Ensemble Both
then fill this out…
Solo: Contest Fee - $8 AND Accompanist Fee - $30
Check one: ___I need music assigned to me ___My private teacher will choose a solo
Accompanist__________________________________
(leave blank if you need one assigned)
Ensemble: Contest Fee - $5 Per Member
List all participants ______________________________________________________
(first and last names)
Check your ensemble type:
_____Flute Duet
_____Flute Trio
_____Clarinet Duet
_____Clarinet Trio
_____Clarinet Choir
_____Trumpet Duet
_____Trumpet Trio
_____Horn Duet
_____Trombone/Euphonium Duet
_____Trombone/Euphonium Trio
_____Alto Sax Duet
_____Alto Sax Trio
_____Alto Sax Quartet
_____Alto/Tenor Sax Duet
_____Sax Choir
_____Snare Drum Duet
_____Percussion Ensemble
Contest Fees
Accompanist Fee
(solos only)
Solo $8
Ensemble
$5 per member
$30
Make checks payable to OLHMS.
Total Fees Due