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 AUDITIONS are anticipated to take place December 5th at Gainesville Middle School West.
District Honor Band event is anticipated to take place January 22-23, 2027 at the Friendship Venue.
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 event 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 (played exactly how it appears in GMEA website)
- 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 AUDITIONS are anticipated to take place December 5th at Gainesville Middle School West.
District Honor Band event is anticipated to take place January 22-23, 2027 at the Friendship Venue.
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 event 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 $5 on the District Level or $30 for the All-State level due to Ms. Cabrel-Watson before September 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 $5 on the District Level or $30 for the All-State level due to Ms. Cabrel-Watson before September 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 10- 12, 2026.
Costs
Costs will vary due to hotel housing, travel, and dining. Ms. Cabrel-Watson will receive more information about costs in late October. 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.
First Year Honor Band (6th Grade Only)
First Year Honor Band is an invite-only event for 6th grade band students. Ms. Cabrel-Watson nominates 10 6th grade students to participate in a Saturday-only Large ensemble with the top 6th grade musicians in the district.
Costs
If selected, students must pay $40. Price includes lunch and t-shirt.
Summer Camp Opportunities ☀️
University of Georgia Summer Music Camp
The University of Georgia Summer Music Camp is an intensive five-day musical experience that offers students a place to grow musically in a fun and exciting learning environment. Summer Music Campers attend academic classes that address important areas of musicianship. Campers also attend instrument-specific masterclasses under the direction of the acclaimed faculty of UGA's Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Band, orchestra, and chorus students rehearse and perform in the appropriate large ensembles, while piano students focus on performance practice and the standard literature of their instrument. In addition, Summer Music Campers have ample opportunity to socialize, develop relationships with other young musicians, and experience life on a great university campus. Concentrations include orchestra, band, chorus, piano, jazz band, and guitar. No audition is required for admission, but all students will submit placement audition videos prior to camp.
Dates
June 7-11, 2026.
Costs
Summary
I work UGA Summer Music every year and it is always so much fun! Summer Music is meant for students to learn a concert program within a few days of camp. Essentially, it is a mini honor band during the summer! Students will check-in on Sunday and rehearse until their concert on Thursday. Within this, students are exposed to band directors across Georgia, masterclasses from professional musicians, concerts from world renowned-staff and the Redcoat Band, and exposure to the beautiful UGA campus! This camp opportunity is available for any 6th, 7th, and 8th grader (even rising 9th graders!) I hope to see you there! Instead of your teacher, I'll be your counselor!
For more information and registration, please click here.
Encore Summer Music Camp
Encore is an overnight band camp for students in grades 5-8 and Encore High is for students in grades 9-11. Both camps are housed at Georgia College and State University. Around 200 – 250 students attend Encore Band camp, and they are divided into four bands (students are grouped by ability level). Our staff includes some of the most respected and experienced band directors in the state of Georgia as well as some outstanding future music educators.
Dates
June 14-18, 2026
Costs
For more information and registration, please click here.
FLING! (flute players only)
FLING! is a 4 day, in person, summer flute day camp for middle and high school students. Students participate in small group classes, flute choir, and work with guest artists.
We can only accept 100 flutists, so register now!
Dates
June 1-4, 2026
Summary
As a flute player, I am for sure incredibly biased regarding the impact of FLING on flute students. This camp has the most talented flute players in the state collaborating together for an unforgettable experience. FLING is also incredibly local to WHMS (20 mins away!). I will also be a counselor at this camp this year! I hope to see you there, flutes!
Costs
For more information and registration, please click here.
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 10- 12, 2026.
Costs
Costs will vary due to hotel housing, travel, and dining. Ms. Cabrel-Watson will receive more information about costs in late October. 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.
First Year Honor Band (6th Grade Only)
First Year Honor Band is an invite-only event for 6th grade band students. Ms. Cabrel-Watson nominates 10 6th grade students to participate in a Saturday-only Large ensemble with the top 6th grade musicians in the district.
Costs
If selected, students must pay $40. Price includes lunch and t-shirt.
Summer Camp Opportunities ☀️
University of Georgia Summer Music Camp
The University of Georgia Summer Music Camp is an intensive five-day musical experience that offers students a place to grow musically in a fun and exciting learning environment. Summer Music Campers attend academic classes that address important areas of musicianship. Campers also attend instrument-specific masterclasses under the direction of the acclaimed faculty of UGA's Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Band, orchestra, and chorus students rehearse and perform in the appropriate large ensembles, while piano students focus on performance practice and the standard literature of their instrument. In addition, Summer Music Campers have ample opportunity to socialize, develop relationships with other young musicians, and experience life on a great university campus. Concentrations include orchestra, band, chorus, piano, jazz band, and guitar. No audition is required for admission, but all students will submit placement audition videos prior to camp.
Dates
June 7-11, 2026.
Costs
- Day Campers: $500.00*
- Includes lunch and dinner
- Dorm Campers: $600.00*
- Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and housing
Summary
I work UGA Summer Music every year and it is always so much fun! Summer Music is meant for students to learn a concert program within a few days of camp. Essentially, it is a mini honor band during the summer! Students will check-in on Sunday and rehearse until their concert on Thursday. Within this, students are exposed to band directors across Georgia, masterclasses from professional musicians, concerts from world renowned-staff and the Redcoat Band, and exposure to the beautiful UGA campus! This camp opportunity is available for any 6th, 7th, and 8th grader (even rising 9th graders!) I hope to see you there! Instead of your teacher, I'll be your counselor!
For more information and registration, please click here.
Encore Summer Music Camp
Encore is an overnight band camp for students in grades 5-8 and Encore High is for students in grades 9-11. Both camps are housed at Georgia College and State University. Around 200 – 250 students attend Encore Band camp, and they are divided into four bands (students are grouped by ability level). Our staff includes some of the most respected and experienced band directors in the state of Georgia as well as some outstanding future music educators.
Dates
June 14-18, 2026
Costs
For more information and registration, please click here.
FLING! (flute players only)
FLING! is a 4 day, in person, summer flute day camp for middle and high school students. Students participate in small group classes, flute choir, and work with guest artists.
We can only accept 100 flutists, so register now!
Dates
June 1-4, 2026
Summary
As a flute player, I am for sure incredibly biased regarding the impact of FLING on flute students. This camp has the most talented flute players in the state collaborating together for an unforgettable experience. FLING is also incredibly local to WHMS (20 mins away!). I will also be a counselor at this camp this year! I hope to see you there, flutes!
Costs
For more information and registration, please click here.
