District Solo & Ensemble This Saturday!
March 18, 2009
Waukesha West Bands District Solo & Ensemble Festival Reminders

1. District Solo & Ensemble is Saturday March 21 at Horning Middle School. Participating students should pick up a schedule of event performance times in the West band room.

2. Make sure you arrive at your performance site at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled performance and check in with the room monitor. Have with you everything you need to perform well. (Reeds, valve oil, mutes, mallets, instruments, music, etc.) Double check if sharing school owned instruments (Tubas, Bass Clarinets, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, F-Horns, Euphoniums, etc.) You will be able to do some warming up in the small gym under the band room. Take your instruments home after school on Friday!!

3. If you have more than one event scheduled within a close time frame, perform the larger events first. It is better to be late as a soloist or duet than as a quintet or larger ensemble. The judges and room monitors understand and expect this. Check the “on time” status of each room in which you are scheduled. Inform the door monitor if one performance will make you late for another.

4. You must provide the judge with an ORIGINAL version of your music, with the measures numbered. Providing the judge a zerox copy may disqualify the performance. Providing the judge music without measures numbered may lower your rating. Make sure your name and school is listed on the front of the music.

5. Tuning: If you have an accompanist, tune to the piano. Ensembles of 2-5 players should tune either to a tuner, a piano, or to a reliable member of the group.

6. Dress nicely when you perform. Ties, dresses, dress pants, dress shoes, dark socks, etc., are all very appropriate. Sloppy attire or attire which is too casual is not.

7. All solos and ensembles must be introduced by a performer. In the case of a solo, introduce (a) your name, (b) your school, (c) accompanist’s name (if applicable), (d) title of the solo, and if appropriate, the movements being performed, (e) the composer, and (f) briefly describe something interesting about the piece - an aspect of style, form, technique, harmony, rhythm, melody, etc. In the case of an ensemble, introduce the name of the ensemble (woodwind duet, trumpet trio, percussion ensemble, etc.), and letters (b) through (f) above.

8. When you are finished performing, wait to see if the judge wants you to approach him/her for comments. Ask for your music back from the judge when he/she is finished.

9. Relax and perform at your highest level. Judges are there to help you improve. Thank and or pay your accompanist if appropriate.

10. Review the WSMA Evaluation Rubric found at www.wsmamusic.org. Click “Adjudicators” button, then click “Adjudication Center” then scroll down to “Sample Rubric Forms.” This evaluation Rubric is what the adjudicators use to determine your rating, and it is always good to know what criteria is being used. Be aware that there are different rubric sheets for different events. The event is listed at the top of the page on the left.