The materials on this page are designed to help you prepare for the events at Solo and Ensemble and are adapted from the FBA website. Students: Any questions you have after visiting this page should be directed to your school's band director.
For Students
Always look at the adjudication criteria while preparing for Solo and Ensemble. The judges will be listening for exactly what is on this form. If you don't practice with these skills in mind, your score will likely be lower than you would like it to be.
Woodwind and Brass Adjudication Sheet
Percussion Adjudication Sheet
Piano Adjudication Sheet
Woodwind and Brass Adjudication Sheet
Percussion Adjudication Sheet
Piano Adjudication Sheet
If at all possible, seek out private instruction from a professional on your instrument. In school instruction cannot always provide everything you need for solo or small ensemble performance. Private lessons are necessary to achieve at the highest levels.
With help from your band director and/or private lesson instructor, choose an appropriate solo or ensemble selection for your level. It is more important to show that you can master intonation, musicality, and basic skills on a piece than to try and "impress" the judge with music that is too difficult for you. Smart choices when choosing your music will give you a better experience and help you get a higher rating.
You can find the approved music titles for your instrument here: 2015-2016 Solo/Ensemble Music List (Excel)
With help from your band director and/or private lesson instructor, choose an appropriate solo or ensemble selection for your level. It is more important to show that you can master intonation, musicality, and basic skills on a piece than to try and "impress" the judge with music that is too difficult for you. Smart choices when choosing your music will give you a better experience and help you get a higher rating.
You can find the approved music titles for your instrument here: 2015-2016 Solo/Ensemble Music List (Excel)
Students must be sure to submit their applications and fees on time to their director. Getting the rating you want requires personal responsibility and organization in everything. If you fail to submit your application on time, you may not get a chance to perform at all!
Once you have selected your music, it is important to schedule time during your day to practice/rehearse. Even just 20 minutes a day will add up to 20 hours of practice over two months.
Ensembles must make time to meet together every week in order to fully prepare. Do not wait until the week before the event to rehearse together. The more you work together, the better your accuracy, intonation, and interpretation will be when you perform.
Once you have selected your music, it is important to schedule time during your day to practice/rehearse. Even just 20 minutes a day will add up to 20 hours of practice over two months.
Ensembles must make time to meet together every week in order to fully prepare. Do not wait until the week before the event to rehearse together. The more you work together, the better your accuracy, intonation, and interpretation will be when you perform.
The Week of S&E
Before you go to the Solo and Ensemble site, make sure you have all of the necessary music. In order to receive a rating, you must have an ORIGINAL published score and all measures must be numbered. (The score is the copy of the music with all of the parts of the music shown on the same page.) The judge cannot and will not accept a photocopied score in place of an original.
In the week or two leading up to the event, find audiences to perform for. Good listeners can be family members, friends, teachers, or other band members. Make sure you take it seriously and use any comments you can to help you improve. It is not a good idea to wait until you are in front of the judge to perform for the first time.
In the week or two leading up to the event, find audiences to perform for. Good listeners can be family members, friends, teachers, or other band members. Make sure you take it seriously and use any comments you can to help you improve. It is not a good idea to wait until you are in front of the judge to perform for the first time.
At the Solo and Ensemble Site
When you arrive at the site, be sure to check in and find a map. Double check your room number, judge's name, and performance time before you go into the warm up room. It is also a good idea to find your performance room early so that you do not get lost too close to your performance time.
In the warm up room, start with long tones and scales. It is usually a good idea to use the warm ups you do in band to establish your best possible sound. It is usually not a good idea to jump right into playing your solo without establishing your best sound and intonation first.
About 10 minutes before your performance time, double check that you have the judge's music, your music, and a tuner (if needed) to take over to the room. You should plan on being a few minutes early to the room. Do not wait until your performance time to leave the warm up room!
In the warm up room, start with long tones and scales. It is usually a good idea to use the warm ups you do in band to establish your best possible sound. It is usually not a good idea to jump right into playing your solo without establishing your best sound and intonation first.
About 10 minutes before your performance time, double check that you have the judge's music, your music, and a tuner (if needed) to take over to the room. You should plan on being a few minutes early to the room. Do not wait until your performance time to leave the warm up room!