8th Annual WSHSB Solo and Ensemble Contest
Saturday, March 13, 2010, 10 am – @ 3 pm
Lutheran Church of the Master
580 N. Kuhn Road
Carol Stream, IL
1 mile north of North Avenue on
Kuhn Road.
New for 2009-2010! Please note there are separate registration forms for
Percussion and Wood/Brass.
Click here for the 2009-2010
Percussion Solo Form
Click here for the 2009-2010
Percussion Ensemble Form
Click here for the 2009-2010 Wood
Brass Solo Form
Click here for the 2009-2010
Wood Brass Ensemble Form
Click here for the
2009-2010 Info & Guidelines
SEC Overview
ABOUT THE SOLO AND ENSEMBLE CONTEST (SEC)
The Solo and Ensemble Contest (SEC) is open to all band levels including Cadets. This
annual event is generally held in the latter part of March. The SEC is not a competition
between band members. Each soloist or ensemble is judged on their personal performance
that day with level of experience taken into consideration. Whether an individual event is
open or closed to observers is up to the participant or ensemble members.
FOR THOSE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE SEC
Any student (this includes any cadet) who is not participating in the SEC is encouraged to
come on the day of the SEC, to observe all that goes on. You are also invited to sit in
the audience for any open event. This is a good opportunity to experience what the SEC is
all about.
MUSIC CHOICES
The music performed is chosen by the soloist or ensemble members. It is not assigned.
There is a limit of three events per person, whether as a solo or part of an ensemble. The
performance must be on an instrument currently played in the WSHSB, with a limit of one
solo per instrument. For example, a band member could play two solos on two different
instruments, and still be able to perform in one ensemble, for a total of three events.
Accompaniment may only be on piano or CD. Outside music professionals are hired as judges
and have expertise with the instruments they are asked to judge. Each entry is judged
according to a point system. Awards are given for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd depending on points
scored.
A Cadet is encouraged to use a Performance Spotlight song from their book
or choose another song they can handle. For performance song ideas for all levels, ask to
see the J.W. Pepper Solo and Ensemble music catalog at the front table or visit their
website, http://www.jwpepper.com/catalog/welcome.jsp
and click on Solo and Ensemble. You might also try http://www.stantons.com.
Click on Instrument Solos, Ensembles, Methods under Browse Categories at the top of the
page. Many titles have a recording you can listen to.
JUDGES' DECISIONS ARE FINAL
Everyone needs to be aware that the judges' decisions are final. The judges are
professionals, hired by the director. The judge carries the authority on how he or she
scores each event and the place awarded. We ask that members and their parents, not
dispute a judge's final decision.
STATEMENT OF INTENTION
Prior to completing and accepting registration forms, we need to have an
approximate idea about how many students plan to participate in the SEC. This helps us
plan for the number of events, room requirements and how many judges will be needed. THIS
IS NOT REGISTRATION. All band members are asked to indicate whether or not they intend to
participate in the SEC. The form is available at band practice starting sometime in
November and is announced in the Rehearsal Notes. We need a response from every student on
the sign-up form. If you do not plan to participate please print NO after your name on the
sign-up form. Each ensemble should choose a representative and only that person should
sign-up on behalf of the ensemble.
Only basic information is required for the sign-up -
SEC REGISTRATION
The actual registration forms are made available a few weeks after the preliminary sign-up
and there is a small fee for each participant. The registration deadline is announced at
the same time and the SEC Information Sheet is also made available. Once the registration
forms are posted, registration forms and fees may be submitted. There are separate
registration forms for Percussion and Wood/Brass, solos and ensembles. The fee is stated
on the respective registration form. The fees help cover some costs of the SEC.
Performance time slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants complete the portion on the top half. Use one form per soloist and one form
per ensemble. The bottom half of the form is where the SEC judge will record points.
IMPORTANT - Indicate the name of your accompanist or if you are using a CD for
accompaniment. If you will not be having an accompanist, you must write NONE. Not every
room will have a piano available. The SEC organizers need this information to schedule
your performance time according to your accompanist needs.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS
Keep a copy of the registration form to help you become very familiar with exactly what
the judge will be looking for from your performance that day. All participants should read
through the SEC Information Sheet as soon as it becomes available. This sheet spells out
what you need to prepare prior to the SEC as well as what to do and what to expect that
day including proper conduct and etiquette pointers. There may be changes from previous
years that apply to you so it should be reviewed every year.
- Email
Click here
for General Information
Click here for Musical Director
