More opportunities
honor ensembles
Beaverton school district honor band
The Beaverton Honor Band is only open to students in the Beaverton School District. Each year, auditions take place through students uploading videos of the material onto Canvas. The deadline is typically in the middle of October, and members are chosen soon after. Commitments include two required evening sectionals, and all day rehearsals the first Friday and Saturday back from winter break each year. It is typically held at Westview High School. This honor ensemble does not have a fee.
Students may choose from the WIBC Audition material Set A, or Oregon All State material for the 2023-24 school year.
Students may choose from the WIBC Audition material Set A, or Oregon All State material for the 2023-24 school year.
Oregon all-state honor bands
The Oregon All-State Honor Bands are comprised of the top students in the state and are placed in an appropriate concert ensemble, typically the Symphonic Band, or the Wind Ensemble. Students may also audition for the Oregon All-State Jazz Band. Students stay overnight in Eugene, Oregon and are bussed to their rehearsal sites. Students are responsible for their own rides to and from Eugene. Meals, lodging, and instruction are included in a fee of $358 for the three day experience if chosen, due in November. The All-State ensemble rehearsals and performances are held in conjunction with the Oregon Music Educator's Conference, and students must stay in the hotel rooms provided if chosen. Auditions must be scheduled in the fall with the director as they cannot be recorded or submitted by students, and there is a $21 audition fee. Audition material (choose Wind Ensemble and/or Jazz) and more information can be found below.
Western International Band Clinic honor bands
The Western International Band Clinic (WBIC) honor bands are unique experience similar to All-State, but with a leadership component that is band-specific and unlike any other honor band experience. Concert hours featuring college and other high level ensembles as well as a college fair are also included activities. The participation fee if selected is $290-$450 depending on your chosen lodging situation. Students may choose to stay at the Double Tree by Hilton in Seattle, or with a friend or family member in the area to save lodging fees. Students are responsible for their own rides to and from Seattle. Students may submit their own auditions through their website portal, using the WBIC audition material Set A or B with a $20 fee. Students may also submit their All-State recordings if they are auditioning for both. Audition material can be found below.
OTher opportunities
District and state solo and ensemble contests
Each year students gather at their district solo and ensemble contests to perform pieces for judges and receive written feedback as well as a numerical score based on a common performance evaluation. Students will compete at the district level and if they qualify, compete at the state level. Typically the students choose pieces to work on in the fall, and will need to hire a piano accompanist. Resources can be found with director. Ensembles do not need an accompanist and can be traditional instrumentation (brass quintet, saxophone quartet, ect.) to qualify for state, or odd instrumentation to receive great feedback only from judges. Please see this sheet with music recommendations for each instrument or ensemble as a starting place:
MUSIC IN MAY
Music in May was founded in 1948 at Pacific University by Richard A. Greenfield to encourage the development of string music in the public schools of the Pacific Northwest. Band and choir were added at the suggestion of high school music directors, who saw in the festival a means of recognizing students whose service to their particular schools was especially noteworthy. Each year the number of nominees for places at Music in May far exceeds the number who can be accepted. Housing limitations and the natural requirements of each ensemble result in over 500 participants each year, approximately 300 in the choir, 170 in the band, and 80 in the orchestra. Participants' achievements in three days, under distinguished guest conductors culminating in the Saturday afternoon concert, represent not only their own efforts, but those of approximately 170 high school directors who have developed their students’ talents and recommended them for Music in May. See below for more information.
outside ensembles
PORTLAND YOUTH PHILHARMONIC
https://portlandyouthphil.org/
https://portlandyouthphil.org/
METROPOLITAN YOUTH SYMPHONY
https://playmys.org/
https://playmys.org/
PORTLAND YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA
http://www.pyjo.com/
http://www.pyjo.com/