District Honor Band and All-State Honor Band
For more information, visit the GMEA website.
GMEA organizes and carries out the All-State performance program in order to allow the selected students an opportunity to work with other students of equal caliber under the direction of highly qualified conductors. Each student auditions on a statewide basis and is selected on merit when judged by professionals against all other applicants across the state. Selection to All-State is recognition of excellence in musical knowledge, technique, and interpretation.
Audition Requirements
Dates
District Honor Band is anticipated to take place January 23-24, 2026.
Students that excel in their first audition may be selected for a second round audition to determine a potential placement in the All-State Band. All-State Band will take place March 5-7, 2026 at the Classic Center in Athens, GA.
For more information, visit the GMEA website.
GMEA organizes and carries out the All-State performance program in order to allow the selected students an opportunity to work with other students of equal caliber under the direction of highly qualified conductors. Each student auditions on a statewide basis and is selected on merit when judged by professionals against all other applicants across the state. Selection to All-State is recognition of excellence in musical knowledge, technique, and interpretation.
Audition Requirements
- Chromatic Scale
- Concert F, Bb, Eb, Ab scales (played exactly how they appear in GMEA website)
- Lyrical Etude
- Technical Etude (in addition if advanced to 2nd round)
- Sight reading
Dates
District Honor Band is anticipated to take place January 23-24, 2026.
Students that excel in their first audition may be selected for a second round audition to determine a potential placement in the All-State Band. All-State Band will take place March 5-7, 2026 at the Classic Center in Athens, GA.
Costs
Students must be registered for All-State by the school music teacher. Registration costs are $25 to audition due to Ms. Cabrel-Watson before November 14th. Students who wish to audition yet unable to pay should discuss options with Ms. Cabrel-Watson within a reasonable timeframe. We wish to send as many students to District and All-State band as possible!
Students must be registered for All-State by the school music teacher. Registration costs are $25 to audition due to Ms. Cabrel-Watson before November 14th. Students who wish to audition yet unable to pay should discuss options with Ms. Cabrel-Watson within a reasonable timeframe. We wish to send as many students to District and All-State band as possible!
University of Georgia "Midfest" Band Festival
For more information, visit the UGA Midfest Website.
"MidFest" (established 1990) is a three-day event for middle school band musicians. Students are nominated for participation by their director by way of this website early in the academic year after receiving the MidFest announcement in the mail. MidFest staff selects students to participate based on the order of the director’s submission, the instrumentation need of the festival bands, and the reported musical achievements of each student. Typical festival attendance is approximately 1000 students from 130 schools.
Directors and other adult chaperones accompany students to Athens for the event. Directors are responsible for housing and food arrangements for the students.
Audition Requirements
After nomination and if selected to participate, students will submit a short audition video of 2 scales and chromatic scale, demonstrating best range of instrument. This will determine band and chair placement.
Dates
University of Georgia "Midfest" Band Festival will take place December 11- 13, 2025.
Costs
Costs will vary due to hotel housing, travel, and dining. Ms. Cabrel-Watson will receive more information about costs in late September. By then, she will reach out to potential student nominees and discuss if honor band participation is possible due to cost. This honor band can be incredibly life changing, yet can be expensive for some.
I have been so fortunate to have performed in the headliner ensemble, the UGA Wind Symphony, at every Midfest in my undergrad. Not only did I love feeling like a super star with 500 pairs of eyes watching us in Hodgson Hall, but I have had students come up to me throughout the years recalling how fantastic the pieces we played for them were. The participants are exposed to incredible literature, so many talented clinicians, and a mature experience of ensemble collaboration. I HIGHLY recommend considering sending your student to Midfest and watching how this adventure changes them.
Summer Camp Opportunities
Ms. Cabrel-Watson will post summer camp opportunities here as they are announced, as well as include links in weekly newsletter!
For more information, visit the UGA Midfest Website.
"MidFest" (established 1990) is a three-day event for middle school band musicians. Students are nominated for participation by their director by way of this website early in the academic year after receiving the MidFest announcement in the mail. MidFest staff selects students to participate based on the order of the director’s submission, the instrumentation need of the festival bands, and the reported musical achievements of each student. Typical festival attendance is approximately 1000 students from 130 schools.
Directors and other adult chaperones accompany students to Athens for the event. Directors are responsible for housing and food arrangements for the students.
Audition Requirements
After nomination and if selected to participate, students will submit a short audition video of 2 scales and chromatic scale, demonstrating best range of instrument. This will determine band and chair placement.
Dates
University of Georgia "Midfest" Band Festival will take place December 11- 13, 2025.
Costs
Costs will vary due to hotel housing, travel, and dining. Ms. Cabrel-Watson will receive more information about costs in late September. By then, she will reach out to potential student nominees and discuss if honor band participation is possible due to cost. This honor band can be incredibly life changing, yet can be expensive for some.
I have been so fortunate to have performed in the headliner ensemble, the UGA Wind Symphony, at every Midfest in my undergrad. Not only did I love feeling like a super star with 500 pairs of eyes watching us in Hodgson Hall, but I have had students come up to me throughout the years recalling how fantastic the pieces we played for them were. The participants are exposed to incredible literature, so many talented clinicians, and a mature experience of ensemble collaboration. I HIGHLY recommend considering sending your student to Midfest and watching how this adventure changes them.
Summer Camp Opportunities
Ms. Cabrel-Watson will post summer camp opportunities here as they are announced, as well as include links in weekly newsletter!