All-County Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All-County band is comprised of the top players from the 7 middle schools in Spotsylvania County. Students audition with set requirements and are placed according to their scores. Students who make the band will participate in two days of practice (Friday and Saturday), culminating with a concert on Saturday afternoon. 

 

 

Major Scales (20%) and Chromatic (20%) (2 octaves counts for extra credit)

 

Flute: Bb, Eb, Ab, G, C, and F; Chromatic is F (bottom space) to F (above staff)

Oboe: Bb, Eb, Ab, G, C, and F; Chromatic is C (Below staff) to C (above staff)

Clarinet: C, F, Bb, A, D, and G; Chromatic is G (below staff) to G (above staff)

Bass Clarinet: C, F, Bb, A, D, and G; Chromatic is E (below staff) to E (top space)

Alto and Bari Saxophone: G, C, F, E, A, and D; Chromatic is D (below staff) to D (above staff)

Tenor Saxophone: C, F, Bb, A, D, and G; Chromatic is D (Below staff) to D (above staff)

French Horn: F, Bb, Eb, D, G, and C; Chromatic is F (below staff) to F (top line)

Trumpet and T.C. Baritone: C, F, Bb, A, D, and G; Chromatic is G (Below staff) to G (above staff)

Trombone and B.C. Baritone: Bb, Eb, Ab, G, C, and F; Chromatic is F (below staff) to F (above staff)

Tuba: Bb, Eb, Ab, G, C, and F; Chromatic is F (Below staff) to F (fourth line)

Mallets: Bb, Eb, Ab, G, C, and F; Chromatic is full range of xylophone

Snare Drum (All open-close): Flam Tap, Flam Paradiddle, Flam Accent, Lesson 25, Single Ratamacue; Chromatic is Long Roll

Timpani: Tune to several pitches; Chromatic is long roll (pp-ff-pp)

 

 Prepared Etude (30%)

 

You must play the prepared etude at the required tempo. It is usually passed out in the beginning of October. 

 

  Sight Reading (30%)

 

• Key of Bb, Eb, or F Concert

• At LEAST 1 accidental (sharp, flat, or natural)

• 4/4, 2/4, or 3/4 time signature

• Whole, half, dotted quarter, quarter, eighth and rarely sixteenth notes included

• Anywhere from 8-16 measures

 

All-County Agreement

If you opt to audition for all-county and/or all-district, you will be exempt (automatic 100%) from all chairs test AFTER the audition etude is passed out by Mr. Patterson. You MUST turn in a signed slip of paper to Mr. Patterson (available in the band room) in order for this to take effect. If you decide at the last minute that you do not want to audition (and you filled out the agreement paper), you will be responsible for making up all tests that you missed during that time.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Schedule/Itinerary 

• Do we stop for breakfast?

  • Sometimes. It depends on how early the event starts. IF we go to breakfast, it will be to Chick Fil A in Southpoint.

• Is there another option for breakfast?

  • ​No. Your child is welcome to bring their own food or to eat breakfast at home.

• Is this a year long event?

  • No. This is a two day event. Students practice all day Friday; then they come back Saturday morning, practice more, then put on a one time concert in the afternoon.

• What time is the concert?

  • ​It is USUALLY at 2:00, but check with Mr. Patterson to make sure as it can change depending on the year.

 

Transportation

• Which rides are provided for the students?

  • ​Students will ride the bus from TMS to the host school on Friday morning. Parents must provide transportation for students home from the practice on Friday, to the practice on Saturday morning, and home from the concert on Saturday afternoon.

• Can my child ride with another parent?

  • ​Absolutely, as long as the student has parental permission. 

 

Miscellaneous

• What should students wear for the concert?

  • The same dress attire as they do for concerts at TMS (Formal black and white).

• Can my child miss part of the practices (because of a sports event, other obligation, etc.)?

  • Unfortunately no. Students must attend the practices in their entirety in order to be eligible to perform at the concert.

• My son/daughter is an "alternate". What does this mean?

  • This means that your child will be in the band in the event that someone else is sick. For example, if your child is a flute player, they will be called up to participate in the event if one of the flutes is sick or cannot attend for another reason. Mr. Patterson will let you know if this is the case as soon as he knows.

• Is there a cost to the student?

  • Yes. The cost varies from year to year. Sometimes the school will pay the participation fees for the student (if money allows). Mr. Patterson will let you know this.