HS & MS Band Director 2012 FAQ

How many songs do we play?  Each HS band in the competition will play 3 or 4 songs within 20 minutes, with one song, TBD, being required by all AA HS bands entering the competition. This required music will be provided, however, we encourage each band to create your own rendition by embellishing the chart to fit the talent of your band. There will be an award and grant given to the band that the judges felt was the most creative. We will provide the chart when we receive your entry fee. The 3 other songs should be of different styles from the others.  HS bands not in the competition and Middle School Bands may play any 3 songs within 15 minutes. Keep in mind that the allotted time includes mic time and applause. Bands will be penalized for going over alloted time!

What is the cost? $250 for High School bands in the competition, $225 for non-competition High School bands and Middle School bands.

What does the entry fee include? The required chart for AA, individual badges for band members for all seminars, Master Classes and admission to all stages each day, Score Sheets and Notes From Judges, Private Clinic following perfomance, VIP Pass for band directors to the VIP lounge for free food and drinks.

What is the difference between High School AA and A? AA would be the bands that are the top bands. "AA" bands must play the required chart. The first place band will play that song with the guest artist at the Saturday night concert as well as recieving a grant and a 3 hour recording session. "A" division High School Bands are not required to play the required chart. "A" division grants and scholarships (TBD) will not be as substantial or as many as the AA division. Schools may only enter 1 band in AA.

Do we get a clinic after our performance? YES. You will be meeting with a clinician for about 30 minutes right after your performance for their feedback, comments and run throughs. You will get the grading sheets with comments from the judges after the competition.

What are the seminars? There will be student sectionals, as well as a master class with the guest artist.

How do we get there? Map

Where do we check in? TBD

Where do we park? see map

Where do we put our instruments and jackets? When you check in you will get your room assignment.

Where do we put our big instruments? TBD depending on your performance stage and storage room.

Will there be food available? Yes, there will be food available in the Cedarburg HS cafeteria

When should we get there and how long to we need to stay?  The goal of the festival is for the students to attend all the seminars and watch the other schools and to get the whole experience we are trying to achieve.

How long do we have to warm up? You will be assigned a warm-up room 45 minutes prior to your stage time. You will have 10 minutes to get set up on stage and play a tuning scale.

How much are tickets? $6 for adults/$4 kids & seniors for day pass access to all stages. Guest artist concert tickets (price TBD) for student tickets with no service charges and must be purchased through the Bob Kames Foundation. We have a group of seats held for each performance.

When are the awards? Approximately 6:00 on Saturday night.

How tight is the schedule? VERY! In past years several bands arrived very close to their performance time and were shocked to find out that we were actually ahead of schedule.

How can we get set on stage in 10 minutes? There will be several stage hands to set the stage to your configuration and help to move drums, amps etc. on and off the stage. You will also move your big things on to the side stage area as the band before you moves onto the stage. It's a little chaotic but it works.

What is provided on stage? We will have a grand piano, chairs and stands to match your stage configuration. You should bring your own amps and drum set. If you need us to provide a digital piano or vibes let us know as we did provide them last year. Again this year we will only have 2 wireless mics on stage for solos and announcing. However you decide to use them is up to you. There will not be any other mics on stage!

When do we get our chart? When we receive your formal application and entry fee.

When do we find out our performance time? We will finalize the times about 2 weeks before to accommodate each band's schedule.

Do badges and day passes get us seats to the guest artist Concert? No. The seats are assigned but there will be special discount tickets for participating students and band directors.

Who should change the required chart? It can be a student or the Band Director