What are all region band auditions? All Region Band Auditions take place in November. All Honor and Symphonic Winds Members are required to prepare the music and scales for this audition. It is expected that both group's members will participate in the All Region audition pending Golden Ticket Auditions the few weeks leading up to All Region. All Region is encouraged of Concert Band members but is not required – students from these groups wishing to audition will pre-audition as part of the Golden Ticket Auditions, just as the other bands do.
Students from across our region participate in these auditions. The audition material consists of scales and two prepared pieces. Students are judged by a panel of three to five judges who sit behind a partition to listen to each student perform their music. This process protects student anonymity and the integrity of the audition process. The top students are selected from these auditions and receive the honor of participating in the All Region Band Clinic and Concert. The All Region Clinic and Concert will be held on a Friday (clinic) and Saturday (more clinic and then concert in the afternoon) in December. Selection to the All Region band is one of the highest honors a middle school student can achieve. At AMS, our philosophy emphasizes the improvement each student experiences as a result of participating in the All-Region Band process. Students will be required to play all scales and audition music for the band directors prior to the audition date. This is a major part of the grade of all Honor Winds and Symphonic Winds members during the fall semester.
What is a clinic/after school rehearsal? A clinic is a band rehearsal held outside of normal school hours. Clinics are usually held in conjunction with the a band’s preparation to perform in the various contests and festivals it attends during the spring semester. Well-known, highly respected band directors are brought in to work with the band during a clinic rehearsal. This allows students to be exposed to some of the finest directors in the field, thus augmenting the students’ music education. Clinics also afford the band a more extended rehearsal period to supplement the 40 minutes that the class day offers. Clinics are a very important part of our contest preparation and the musical growth of our students.
What is a concert? A concert is a non-competitive performance given as part of our curriculum. There is no admission charge. Family members and friends are encouraged to attend. Concerts are a state-mandated part of our curriculum and attendance is required of all students in the participating groups. UIL eligibility rules do not affect a student’s participation in free concerts! Concert etiquette is also part of our curriculum. For this reason, band members will be expected to be an attentive audience member for at least one of the other ensembles’ portion of the concert.
What is correct concert etiquette for a formal band concert or performance? Audience manners are based on respect for performers and for others in the audience. Unfortunately, young people in today’s society are seldom exposed to formal concert situations and are often not aware of the standards of appropriate behavior. By following these guidelines you can set a proper example for our students and will make the concert more enjoyable for all. Thank you for your assistance.
Avoid entering or leaving the venue during a performance. If you find this necessary, move only between pieces.
Applause is welcomed, but whistling or cheering is considered inappropriate for a formal concert.
Talking is inappropriate during a performance. Young children who are talking or crying must be escorted from the performance area.
Attention should be directed to the performing group at all times.
All cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices should be turned off. This can be very distracting and ruin a band’s performance and recording.
In true formal concert etiquette, photography is strictly prohibited. In the middle school setting we understand parents would like to have pictures for their memoirs so we urge you to use the following guidelines. No flash photography during the band’s performance, flashes are distracting to the performing band members and to the audience. If you would like to use flash photography please do so before or after the performance.
What is a contest or festival? A contest is a competitive performance. All bands participate in several events during the spring semester. These events are: One Pre-UIL Concert and Sight-reading contests, the UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest, and another competitive Festival in the weeks following the UIL event.
What is solo and ensemble contest? All AMS Band students participate in the Aledo Solo and Ensemble Contest. All students are required to perform a solo with at least CD accompaniment, however the majority of percussion solos do not require accompaniment. The soloist is generally judged on a scale of I (Superior), II (Excellent), III (Good), IV (Fair), V (Poor). Students that receive high marks are awarded a medal or ribbon.
What is CHARMS? Charms music is a secure web-based program that will assist the band directors and booster club in communicating, financing, and organization of the Aledo Band program. Please try to keep student and parent/guardian information up-to-date on this program, so you will not miss important emails and announcements. The official band calendar will also be at this site.
Who should I contact if I have a question about ____________? The chart below should serve to help you in determining which director will have an answer to your question. If you are unsure of who to direct your question(s) towards, please email Mr.Qualls and Mr. Bosch.
Keep distractions to a minimum: no radio or TV while practicing.
Set up a daily schedule and stick to it. Treat practice as part of your homework.
Always use a metronome AND tap your toe! This greatly enhances your sense of pulse.
Always use a music stand. This helps avoid the formation of bad habits.
30 minutes a day will be much more beneficial to the student than trying to make up by doing longer chunks of time every few days.
Fill out your online practice journal during each practice session. Practice journal will be graded on a weekly basis and must be submitted through CHARMS by Monday of the following week. The practice week will begin on Monday and conclude on Sunday. There will be a “30” point grade deduction if it is late. If not received by Friday the week after, a “0” will be entered.
Parents should monitor practice and attest that the student is submitting his time honestly. Academic dishonesty will result in severe consequences at the discretion of directors.
For a detailed view of the breakdown and all corresponding policies, please see the AMS Band Handbook.
What supplies/materials are required of my son or daughter in band? The following items are required of ALL AMS Band students. These items are integral to the instruction your child is receiving in class. Without these supplies, your child will have difficulty completing assignments and continuing his/her improvement. Most of these items will be used on a daily basis for home practice and school rehearsals. They are also likely to be used in sectionals and private lessons. Some of the items (notated accordingly) were required at your child’s previous campus. If your child has lost these items, you will need to purchase them again. Also, several of these items are new requirements that are purchased by the band through your band fee. Your student owns these items once they are handed out and should keep up with them. If lost, these items will need to be replaced at your cost.
Instrument in good working condition. All students must have an identification tag (you provide) on each case. Required in high school.
Reed players (oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, saxophone) must have 3 playable reeds in their possession at all times (you provide) – Reeds can be purchased from the band, but students are encouraged to buy in larger quantities for a better price (music store). Required in high school.
Breather – this ½ inch non-threaded ball valve PVC is used as a breathing tool (required previously at McAnally and AMS). This item can be replaced if lost. The band will keep a small stock of these for this purpose. This can also be purchased from any hardware store. Replacement Fee/Cost: $3. Required in high school.
KORG TM-40 with pick-up – this item was previously required. This item can be bought from the music store. Replacement Cost: approx. $45. Required in high school.
Portable Music Stand (previously required) This item should stay home and be used for student practice. The music stand will prevent the student from having to contort his/her body to see the music, thus forming bad habits. This item can be purchased from the music store. Required in high school.
Brass Student Accessories – All brass students should have valve oil, cleaning snake, tuning slide grease, and a mouthpiece brush. In addition, trombone students should also have trombotine (slide cream) and a slide sprayer. All of these items were required previously and can be purchased from the music store if necessary. Required in high school.
CHARMS subscription (provided through band fee) – this is the band’s communication and organizational database used to keep parents up-to-date on virtually all things band. Students will also be able to submit recordings and assignments through the recording studio function.
​Foundations of Superior Performance Book – this item is provided to incoming 7th graders. If a student loses his/her copy, it can be replaced. 8th grade students should still have theirs from the previous year. This book can be purchased from the music store. Replacement Cost: varies – $8-12. Required in high school.
What are sectionals? Honor and Symphonic Winds members are required to attend a 60 minute sectional rehearsal once per week (see official CHARMS schedule). It is during sectional time that playing tests and initial objective pass-offs are administered. Students will receive more individualized instruction on material covered in band and will be given specific information on how to improve their skills on their specific instrument. Think of band as a class of about 10 different classes – 10 different subjects at once because each instrument is very different – most of class time will be spent learning important ensemble skills and how to play together and be a team. Think of sectional rehearsals like a specialized class for just one subject or a lab for enrichment. Sectional rehearsals are the single most critical factor to the success of the bands, and attendance is very important. Please do not schedule appointments (i.e. orthodontia etc.) during section rehearsal time. Tutorials for other classes are built into the morning schedule so that students do not have to miss sectionals (tutorial time is from 8-8:30 every morning). The schedule will be posted during the first week of each semester or sooner. This schedule may change to help facilitate athletics and unexpected conflicts. The CHARMS calendar will be updated with any changes to this schedule. Section rehearsals are optional for Concert Band during the fall.
What types of uniforms are there for my son or daughter in band? There are three possible uniforms worn by band members for performances. These uniforms range from informal to formal and will contribute to the overall presentation and appearance of the band for the concerts and functions.
Informal Uniform- Band fees paid at the beginning of the year will cover the cost of an AMS Band t-shirt used for the informal uniform. Specific wearing guidelines will be announced prior to the event, but generally this shirt will be worn with nice jeans and tennis shoes. The shirt is to be tucked in at all times while the band is in the public eye. This uniform will most likely be used for pep rallies and fall concerts.
Formal Uniform-The band issues a formal uniform for all students. The boys consist of a white tuxedo shirt, black tuxedo pants, a vest, and a bow tie. The girls uniform consist of a black dress. It is the parents’ responsibility to provide appropriate accessories such as black socks and black dress shoes to complete the boys formal uniform and black closed toe shoes for the girls. When in public, ALL students much be in full uniform. The only time it is acceptable to be out of uniform is when the student has received permission from a band director. These uniforms must be returned by the due date (announced later). The uniform is to be returned with a receipt showing that a professional cleaner has dry-cleaned and pressed the uniform prior to return. If for any reason the uniform or part of the uniform is not returned, the parent/student will be responsible to pay for replacement of these items.
PLEASE NOTE: The above uniform guidelines are not meant to infringe on the student’s right of personal self-expression. They are designed to maintain uniformity among the members of the band. The directors take these guidelines very seriously, as should the student members of the band. Failure to comply with the above guidelines can result in a student being removed from the performance in question and/or future performances resulting in a lower band grade.