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MCC HIGHLANDS YOUNG BAND FESTIVAL DATE: Friday, May 18, 2012 FEE: $150 per group | Sponsored by:
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General Information | Deadlines | Schedule | The Highland Exam | Entry Form | Map to Festival | Picture Gallery
General Information about the Festival
1. This festival is for any "young" band (grades 5-8), beginners or not. It is a non-competitive, comments-only, “let’s show what we’ve learned all year” event. Each band will receive written comment sheets from two judges. Comments will address the entire time the band is within view/hearing of the judge. This includes the movement onto and off the stage, behavior and attention while on the stage, and (most importantly) the demonstrated grasp of proper playing fundamentals (posture, hand position, tone production, articulation accuracy, rhythmic control, etc.).
2. This festival is held on a weekday so you don’t have to work yet another Saturday! Note: Limited performance times are available; you are allowed to select your time once payment for the festival is received.
3. Bands will perform two selections of the director's choosing. If desired, the director may select the “Highland Exam” as one of their pieces.
| The Highland Exam is a free, downloadable work (score and parts) written expressly for this festival. It is an “examination” piece written in unison that covers fundamental items you've already taught in class (easy ranges, note values up to eighth-notes, slurs, time signatures). Selecting to perform this work (highly recommended for beginner bands) provides you with an opportunity to reinforce these essential fundamentals in a situation where the students are more motivated to perfect their skills. As of 2010, this piece is no longer required as one of the selected works. |
4. All bands will receive a trophy for participation and, barring equipment malfunctionm, a DVD video recording of the on-stage performance.
5. Judge's scores are not required (although recommended).
6. As at contest, groups will have time in a warm-up room, then move to a performance area. Each band will be allotted 15 minutes for warm-up and a stage time not to exceed 8 minutes. Groups arriving late might have their warm-up time shortened and/or their stage time delayed and/or cancelled in order to not affect other participants. The festival host will strive to make reasonable accomodation for late arrivals, but please be aware that refunds will not be made. Note: there will be no music stands or percussion equipment in the warm-up room.
7. Only the following percussion equipment will be provided on stage: one concert bass drum, three timpani (26”, 29”, 32" ), one bell set, one xylophone, and a free-standing crash cymbal cradle (no cymbals provided). Please bring your own sticks, mallets, beaters, snare drums and stands, additional bell sets (if needed), suspended cymbal and stand, triangle, crash cymbals, etc. An adult “percussion organizer” will assist your players in arranging the equipment on the stage as you warm up the rest of the band. No percussion equipment will be available in the warm-up room.
8. Some directors choose to tell their groups that they will receive a trophy only if their performance is “superior.” Since no ratings are given, posted, or announced at the festival - and all groups receive a participation award - this is a choice for you to make. If you feel it helps your group focus and work harder, then do it!
9. Approximately one week before the festival, directors will be emailed forms for the stage script, judge's comments, and seating diagram. These are to be completed and brought on the day of the festival.
10. Due to summer classes being taught at MCC during the festival timeframe, no designated changing room or storage area can be provided. Please do not plan to change clothes on our campus before or after your performance.
11. The performance will be held in the Performing Arts Center Theater on the MCC campus. This is a venue with very little acoustic reverb and seating for 350 listeners. Quiet parents and students are welcome.
Watch our YouTube video to learn about the festival and hear the Highlands Exam:
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