JOHS Band Solo & Ensemble
JOHS Band Solo & Ensemble
Solo and Ensemble is a festival for band students who choose to perform a solo or ensemble, or both, in front of judges for a rating. Solo and Ensemble provides musicians the opportunity to perform a selection of their choice for critique by qualified judges. Students pick the music and work on it until the festival.
Band students from all over middle Tennessee attend and perform at the MTSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival at John Overton High School and other sites in Middle Tennessee every Spring.
Solo and Ensemble is not a "contest" and there are no "winners." Each student receives a critique of his or her performance as well as an oral critique and suggestions for improvement, if applicable, from the adjudicator(s). Each soloist or ensemble will receive a rating of Superior [I], Excellent [II], Good [III], Poor [IV], or [V].
Solo and Ensemble involves a self directed or "independent study" unit. Students select their musicand are responsible for the majority of the preparation on their own.
Every year the truly dedicated players of high school bands participate in the annual Solo & Ensemble Festival. For this event the players must show that they have the tenacity and the ability to work independently on their respective solos and ensembles, as well as hard work with the Directors.
The Festival is for students from the middle through high school levels. Emphasis is on the educational and positive aspects of participation in this musical event. A student should be sufficiently well prepared that the experience will be positive in all respects rather than terrifying or humiliating. Preparing for a festival like this can be a real motivation to practice!
Students need careful guidance in choosing appropriate materials for a festival of this kind. The materials should be in print and appropriately serious for the age and ability of the student. Solos and ensembles are often band students' first in-depth exposure at performing some of the "Classical" composers! This is a great opportunity to learn more about music history and some of our great composers.