APS HONOR EVENTS
Albuquerque Public Schools has been gracious enough over the last several years to let the home school students participate in their honor groups. Below is more information about each. Please contact Mr. Bratcher as soon as possible if you are interested in any of them.
High School and Middle School Honor Band
Who: Students in high school or middle school that have played for at least three years and are good sight readers. Students must be nominated by Mr. Bratcher. Interested students are usually nominated by age, then experience.
Deadline to tell Mr. Bratcher you are interested: Thursday, October 8
When: Middle School rehearsals are November 16-20 in the evenings at John Adams Middle School. High School rehearsals are all day long from November 20-22 at La Cueva High School. The concert for both groups is Sunday, November 22, 3:00, at La Cueva High School. ALL REHEARSALS MUST BE ATTENDED. If you can't make one of the rehearsals, then you can not participate.
Cost: If you are chosen from the nominations to participate, the cost is $20. There is no cost to ask to be nominated.
Why: The opportunity to play great music with the best musicians in the city under a great director.
All State Band
Who: High School students that prepare the required audition material
When: Auditions are a seven minute time slot assigned sometime during November 18-19 at La Cueva High School. Registration is due to Mr. Bratcher by Wednesday, October 15.
Cost: $10 to audition due to Mr. Bratcher by October 15.
Rehearsals: If chosen to participate, rehearsals will be held during the New Mexico Music Educators Association annual festival January 6-9, 2010. ALL REHEARSALS MUST BE ATTENDED. Chosen students are asked to sign a committment form to confirm that 100% participation is expected and will be completed. The performance of the All State Bands is Saturday, January 9, 2010 in Popejoy Hall.
Why: The opportunity to play the best in band music with the best musicians in the state of NM under a nationally known conductor.
The following is an excerpt from an email received from the executive director of NMMEA regarding All State auditions. Please contact Mr. Bratcher if you have any questions.
NEW and Very Important Information for Home School Students
If you register a home school student you need to inform the student that their parent must send to me a letter via US mail or email containing the following information as soon as possible but no later than one week prior to their audition. First they will have to confirm that their student is registered with the Public Education Department as being home schooled. The student's registration number must be provided. Secondly the letter must include a statement that their student meets the grade eligibility requirement. If I do not have this letter on file the student will not be allowed to audition.
Don Gerheart
Executive Director, NMMEA
93 Mimbres Dr.
Los Alamos, NM 87544
Middle School Solo/Ensemble Festival
Who: Middle School students (grades 6-8 only, must have played at least 2 years)
What: Students can prepare a solo (with piano accompaniment) or a small ensemble (duet, trio, quartet, etc.) to perform for a judge who then gives a rating to the students and constructive suggestions on how to improve. It is a non-competitive event that can be very helpful to students and build their confidence as musicians.
When: Registration is due by Wednesday, October 28 to Mr. Bratcher. Students will be assigned a time slot to be played on Saturday, December 5 at Eisenhower Middle School.
Cost: $5 per solo and $5 per student in each ensemble. Students may be required to hire a piano accompanist for their solo. These costs vary depending on the accompanist and the time involved.
**Other opportunities may become available as the year progresses. Please check the web site regularly to see updates.