Region Band

[conntenor]

Has anybody went to region band? Last some guy (who played tenor and I played alto and wanted to switch to tenor) said that i would never play tenor. Well the school split into two with the building of a new one. We met at region band auditions and I smoked him. I placed 2nd out of the 31 tenors/35 schools. I had alot of fun and got to try a bari (with my tenor mouthpiece). the owner and his friend are alot friendlier to their saxes and when I handed them mine (not a school sax) they treated it like their own. Check out the other post about saxophones and annoying little !@#$%'s who try to mess with your sax.

Post your experience here!

[carsondude]

I went to Region band last year, and I did notice that the players were more experienced. But, in my region(a Texas area) the judges focus much more on speed, and technique, and not so much on tone. So me, first chair in my band as a Sophmore, even lost to people I was much better than, simply because they went home and practiced the peice for hours, so they could play it very fast, but then at the actual Region concert, and things, they were asking me how to produce a correct vibrato tone, and even how to read music! This made my friends, who are also very good, but didn't make it, very angry, because they have an incredible tone, and they were much better suited for the position then someone who just learns the fingerings, and blows into the horn. Anyone can do that.

[KSQ]

I went to Region Band many a year ago (and was fortunate enough to move on to All-State after that). Those festivals were always great experiences. Not all of the bands were equally strong, and some conductors were better than others, but one can learn things even from the lesser experiences. And it was always a lot of fun.

carsondude, you may feel heartened to know that the situation you describe doesn't hold true everywhere. One year when I auditioned for District Band, a bunch of the other players were complaining because the judges had asked to hear part of the slow movement of the audition piece. "But that's so easy!" they all said. Well, I went in there and scored big points on the quality of my sound and the dynamic control I exhibited. Wound up second chair that year. And I don't think any of the complainers made it in.

Just stick to your guns -- you know that sound is as important as anything in saxophone playing, and people will appreciate your attention to that aspect of your work.

[ShadowSlicers]

High School senior tenor sax player here. I'm first chair Bari (to which I'm new) in my District's band, those type of event are great to meet new people. Off course it also open up the doors to state auditions, which was my case. Luckily I live in a big district with strong musical programs everywhere, my county and school topping the list as the major music powerhouse. As a result even our county bands tend to be very good and give excellent performances.

[saxguy9345]

I climbed the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) ladder last year --> counties, districts, regionals, all state (3rd overall :) )

I love these festival's, I have so many friends from all around the state because of them. Although I haven't experienced conntenor's lack of ability, I feel that our district band was almost as strong as our regional. I got to know lots of people and we usually have mini-jam sessions, even flutes and oboes join in and the ability is apparent.

Actually the guy that has sat second chair (behind me) for the past 3 years doesn't have the best tone, but could speed me out of my socks (my sophmore year). Thank goodness I've sought private lessons since then and have honed my skills to the point where I beat him by 32 points this year (188 out of 200) at district auditions.

But yes I look forward to PMEA season, although this will be my last :cry:

[conntenor]

Although I haven't experienced conntenor's lack of ability

what the hell is that supposed to mean?

[saxguy9345]

Ahh conntenor please forgive me, I knew what I meant :oops:
I meant the people that made a higher chair than you because they could play like a robot, a "lack of ability" in my opinion, which you 'experienced' around you at your festival. Sorry about the mixup.