Individual Opportunities

    All-Midstate Band, All-Midstate Orchestra, All-Midstate Jazz Band, All-State Band, All-State Orchestra, All-State Jazz Band, Solo and Ensemble Festival, and other Honor Band activities provide students with the opportunity to excel individually on their instrument and to receive recognition for their musical achievements.

Honor Bands

    Auditions for All-Midstate Band, All-Midstate Orchestra, and All-Midstate Jazz Band are held in early December.  Ninth grade students are eligible for All-Midstate Junior High Band and Orchestra.  Students in grades 10-12 are eligible for All-Midstate Senior High Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, and the All-State organizations.  Students perform required music (available in the band office), scales, and sight-reading (no scales for Jazz auditions).  The audition process ranks the students from Middle Tennessee on their specific instruments.  Students selected for one of the Midstate ensembles prepare and present a concert.  The top students from the All-Midstate Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band receive All-State status and present a concert during the Tennessee Music Educators Association State In-Service Conference.

    To be eligible for these auditions, students must be members in good standing of the Band program at John Overton High School and pay an audition fee.

    There are always outstanding musicians in the John Overton Band, and we strongly encourage widespread participation in these activities.  Often, colleges and universities use membership in these organizations as partial criteria for music scholarship consideration.

    Other "Honor Band" activities may be available to John Overton Band students during the school year, either based on audition or application.  These events include the Wind Ensemble Conference sponsored by Middle Tennessee State University, Festival of Winds and Percussion sponsored by Tennessee Tech University, and various Metro Honor groups.  Students will be notified of these events.

Solo and Ensemble

    Solo and Ensemble Festival, held in March or April, also gives students an opportunity to excel individually or in small instrumental groups.  Students may select their own music (with the directors' approval) or directors will assist in the selection.  There is an entry fee for each participant.  A student may participate in a maximum of four (4) events.

    The John Overton Band enters a brass choir and woodwind choir from each class period each year.  This gives the student a chance to work on different types of music as well as work in smaller groups.  The event is very beneficial to the development of our total band program.