Greetings,

Yes... ANOTHER EMAIL! 
​
I thought I would go ahead and send out the information for January's District Band rehearsals and performance. Below you will find all necessary information, including a schedule and a couple handouts that you will need to give to your kiddos.

IMPORTANT LOCATION INFORMATION - 
Here is the list of dates and locations...
1. Half Day Rehearsal

• Date:  Saturday, January 8th, 2022
• Location:  Parkview HS

2. Official Clinic & Performance

• Date:  Saturday, January 15th, 2022
• Location:  Evangel University

3. Makeup Clinic & Performance

• Date:  Saturday, January 22nd, 2022
• Location:  CENTRAL HS

As you can see, if the event is postponed to the makeup date due to inclement weather, the event location will change from Evangel University to Central High School. Evangel had a scheduling conflict on the makeup date. Rather than move everything to Central, I am holding out hope that we will be able to move forward with the official date at Evangel. They are bending over backward to host the event and the venue is fantastic! 
Please make sure that your parents and students are aware of this. I can only imagine the issues we will all face if this is not communicated.

 District Band Schedule 2021-2022

 District Band Handout 2021-2022

 Number your measures reminder.pdf


Thank you for all that you do for your kiddos!

Best,

Chris


--

Chris Sacco
SCMMEA HS Band Vice President
Associate Director of Bands 
Ava R-I Schools
507 North Spring St. 
Ava, MO 65608

scmmeahsband@gmail.com
School:  (417)683-5747 x1329
Cell:  (417)860-4542
csacco@avabears.net
SCMMEA HS Band Events Calendar

REGISTRATION & AUDITION PROCEDURES 2021-2022
 
Date of Auditions:  Saturday, December 4, 2021
Registration will open as soon very soon! Watch for an email
Registration deadline:  November 23, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
Set 2 of the ASB Audition Material
(Please visit the MBA website for revised audition material lists.)
 
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE ALL-STATE AUDITION
•         Contact your Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) District Band Vice-President for specific information concerning the All-District Band procedures in your district.  Each All-District Band sets the policies for their respective district.  This would include audition dates, audition materials, audition fees, policies, and procedures.
•         Any student wishing to audition for or perform with the Missouri All-State Band must be a member “in good standing” with his or her All-District Band.  “In good standing” shall be defined by guidelines established at the district level and includes attendance at all rehearsals and performances.
•         Membership in a conference band, county band, etc. does NOT make a student eligible to audition for the Missouri All-State Band.
•         Any student wishing to audition for or perform with the Missouri All-State Band must be a member of his or her high school band (if one exists) and must presently be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.  Students must be eligible for interscholastic music activities according to Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) by laws.
•         Students in an All-District Honorable Mention Band are NOT eligible to audition for the Missouri All-State Band unless alternates have not been designated for the All-District Band.  In that case, the first two chair students would be eligible to audition for the Missouri All-State Band.
•         No student may participate in district or state events if they are not accompanied and supervised by a CERTIFIED representative (music instructor, teacher, or administrator)of that student’s school.  MSHSAA By-Law 1.3.1 further explains responsibility for supervision: No individual student, team, or activities group shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic events without being accompanied and supervised by a member of the school faculty or administrative staff of the applicable member school.  It is not allowable for one faculty member from one school in a multiple high school/middle school district to supervise all students of all schools of the multiple high school/middle schools districts under this provision.
 
MSHSAA ELIGIBILITY
Please read the following statements in regards to eligibility and home school associations.  This policy was developed in conjunction with the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
•     Missouri Bandmasters Association does not allow home school associations or affiliate registered schools to audition for placement in an all-district honor ensemble or all-state honor ensemble. 
•     Missouri Bandmasters Association follows all MSHSAA by-laws regarding eligibility and responsibility for supervision.
•     The all-district/all-state ensembles are culminating events, sponsored by the ‘organization’ involving MSHSAA member schools, much like MSHSAA district and state music festivals.
 
ONLINE REGISTRATION

• All registration will be done online.  After district auditions are complete, each school director will go to the provided site and register your school and all students who intend to participate in the all-state audition.
• When registering students, include the student’s home address, phone number and email address.  This information would become vital in the event of a cancellation due to weather.  Do not enter the school address/phone or your email address.
• Register for BOTH All State Band and All State Jazz Band auditions on the MBA website.
• Schools will pay for both All-State Band & All-State Jazz registrations with ONE check payable to Missouri Bandmasters Association.

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION

• DEADLINE TO REGISTER students will be November 23, 2021.Up until that date you may go back into your school account and add, delete, or edit your school and student information. 
• The registration process will close at 11:59 p.m. on November 23, 2021. 

PAYMENT OF AUDITION FEES / LATE FEES / ENTRY CORRECTION FEES

• The audition fee is $15.00 per audition and you must pay for all students who have been registered.  If you register 8 students and only 2 actually come on December 7, you will still owe $120.00 for all that have registered.  This is consistent with the district and state solo/ensemble festival procedures.

NO CASH REFUNDS will be made on the day of All-State auditions.  If your school issues you a check to pay for the auditions, please make sure it is for the correct amount.

• There will be a $25.00 fee assessed to any late entry or correction in any part of the registration.  This fee will be accessed to each correction.  It is a huge undertaking to make adjustments to this process after the deadline.  This fee will be due on the day of the auditions just like the regular fee. 
• Payments can be made online once the site is ready.  They can also be paid with credit card to the number listed below; or by check after registration has opened
• Purchase orders in lieu of payment are not accepted by mail or at the audition site.  Make checks payable to Missouri Bandmasters Association, Inc. and submit at audition registration in Columbia.  Credit cards accepted via telephone no later than November 23, 2021.  W-9 forms available by request.  If you have any questions, please contact Kurt Bauche via telephone or email.

MISSOURI BANDMASTERS ASSOCIATION, INC.    Federal Tax ID #31-1789334
Kurt D. Bauche, Secretary/Treasurer
2627 Oak Ridge Drive, Farmington, MO 63640
573.756.7990               kdbauche76@hotmail.com
CHECK-IN on AUDITION DAY

• On December 4, only directors/school representatives will need to check in. 
• Upon check in, directors/school reps will be handed a folder with their students’ registration forms and randomly generated audition numbers, your school’s information to verify, an invoice for any fees due, and any other pertinent information.
• The director/school rep check-in will run from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00a.m. on December 4.

 PRELIMINARY AUDITIONS

• The actual preliminary auditions will begin at 9:00 a.m.  Encourage your students to go into the audition room when they are ready.  All the judges feel that a good audition is a good audition, whether it is at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm.  Don’t let them sit around and wait! Starting auditions on-time and eliminating down time between auditions is essential for the day to run efficiently.
• The clarinets will once again be using a different procedure for auditions.  Please read the “clarinet procedures” section on the MBA website.  It appears under All-State Band audition procedures.
• This year callback numbers will be posted on social media. 
• Auditions will cover only the materials listed for each individual instrument in the audition list.  However, sight reading may be required on the preliminary or call back audition.
• To achieve the highest possible score on scales, the SCALES MUST BE PERFORMED EXACTLY AS WRITTEN ON THE SCALE SHEET.  "Bonus points" will NOT be awarded for going beyond this range.  This applies to both preliminary and call back auditions.  Please carefully examine the scale sheet for each instrument and make sure they are being prepared as written.

 CALL BACK AUDITIONS

• Call backs will be posted on a specified social media platform using student audition numbers.  Make sure students watch for specific details regarding the location and start time of the call back auditions.   
• The following sections will have call back auditions: flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and general percussion.   
• Inclement Weather Policy:  Review the policy in case inclement weather. The policy is posted on the MBA website.

 
ENSEMBLE SELECTION
·         A form will be made available one week prior to auditions for directors to fill out for their student’s decision for chair placement.  A student can choose the highest chair possible regardless of ensemble, Band only, or Orchestra only. If a form is not filled out the all-state coordinator will make the decision for the student. 
·         If a student makes the all-state band and all-state jazz band/choir, we will contact the student/director to ask the student's choice for performing ensemble.
 
QUESTIONS?
Brad Hudson, All-State Band Coordinator
bhudson@kirksville.k12.mo.us  660-342-5106 (cell phone)

--

Chris Sacco
SCMMEA HS Band Vice President
Associate Director of Bands 
Ava R-I Schools
507 North Spring St. 
Ava, MO 65608

scmmeahsband@gmail.com
School:  (417)683-5747 x1329
Cell:  (417)860-4542
csacco@avabears.net
SCMMEA HS Band Events Calendar

Hello again,

As most of you know, the SCMMEA District offers a $400 Scholarship, the Ernie Pratt Scholarship, to a graduating senior each year who is choosing to pursue a music degree in college. This is what the additional $10 fee that was added to your audition fees goes to.


Below you will find a Google Form Application that you will need to share with any of your interested seniors who are in one of this year's District Bands. Students will need to turn in the completed application and an essay (2 page minimum) by Saturday, January 8th (first rehearsal). A small group of directors will read through the applications and essays and determine the scholarship winner to be presented at the following week's performance. Here is the application:

 Ernie Pratt SCMMEA Band Scholarship Application
If you or your students have any questions, please let me know.

Best,

Chris


--

Chris Sacco
SCMMEA HS Band Vice President
Associate Director of Bands 
Ava R-I Schools
507 North Spring St. 
Ava, MO 65608

scmmeahsband@gmail.com
School:  (417)683-5747 x1329
Cell:  (417)860-4542
csacco@avabears.net
SCMMEA HS Band Events Calendar
​

Good morning,

Please READ this... So many of the issues that we had throughout the evening last night were due to directors not reading their email. It only hurts the students.

Once again, thank you to everyone who had a hand in last night's auditions. An event like this truly takes a village and I am incredibly grateful for all of your work.
Thank you to all the directors for working with your students to ensure that they were successful. Congratulations on the success of all your kiddos!

Within your email you will find Google Drive links to the music for each group. In addition to the music itself, you will find a Google Doc that contains the part assignments. I apologize if there are any oddities in the scanning. The music was sent to me by the clinicians in the format that you are viewing/printing it.

PLEASE READ - IMPORTANT POINTS before you begin distributing music...

• PRINTING - Make sure that you print ALL pages of each piece! Some of the tunes have up to 4 pages. HINT:  If the bottom right corner does not have a double bar line, it's NOT the end. It is also wise to check the number of the last measure on one page and the first measure of the next to ensure that you are not missing a page in the middle.
• PART ASSIGNMENT - Please look over the part assignment document CAREFULLY before printing/copying the music. Handing your students the wrong music today will lead to a very stressful time for them in January.
• MISSING PART - I am missing the Alto 2 part for Homage to Bharat. I have contacted the clinician to remedy this but if any of you have the part and can scan and send it to me, please do. We all know how busy everyone is.
• CONTRA CLARINETS - If you have a Contra Clarinet kiddo, make sure that you know whether the instrument is a ContraAlto (pitched in Eb) or a ContraBass (pitched in Bb). Believe it or not, many composers are unaware of the difference and will write/label the parts incorrectly. If there is not a part available...
  • ContraBass - Print the bass clarinet part.
  • ContraAlto - You have 2 options (depending on their range competency):
    • Print the Baritone Saxophone part and read it as is.
    • Print the Tuba part and read it as if it is in treble clef. But...
      • Add 3 sharps! Here are some examples for reference:  If there are 3 flats in the key, just remove them and read it as if it is in C. If there are 5 flats, remove the last 3. If there are 2 flats, remove the flats and add 1 sharp (F#)
      • Call or email me if you are confused
• HONOR TRUMPETS - The Gallop has 3 trumpet parts and 2 cornet parts. Be sure to look at the part assignment document carefully before handing your student music. 

As always, let me know if you have any questions.

Have a great day!

Chris

--

Chris Sacco
SCMMEA HS Band Vice President
Associate Director of Bands 
Ava R-I Schools
507 North Spring St. 
Ava, MO 65608

scmmeahsband@gmail.com
School:  (417)683-5747 x1329
Cell:  (417)860-4542
csacco@avabears.net
SCMMEA HS Band Events Calendar

ALL-STATE BAND PRELIMINARY AUDITION INFORMATION...

Dear Missouri Band Directors,

Thank you for all that you are doing for students in your school and community to foster their love of music.  These are still very challenging times to be in the teaching profession and even more challenging in the band world.  The point to this email is to share the Missouri Bandmasters Association’s views on the upcoming All-State Band auditions.

The All-State band auditions will take place at Hickman High School in Columbia on Saturday, December 4, 2021.  This will be an IN-PERSON audition.  We are committed to providing the opportunity for all performers to audition live for the judging panel.  As the Board of Directors for this organization, we are responsible for and must be mindful of protecting the health and safety of all participants, judges, directors, and parents involved.  A back-up plan is in place to pivot to virtual auditions in the event circumstances are deemed unsafe to hold live, in-person auditions.  A change in the format of the auditions will only be made as a last resort.


We will use the following protocols to help keep performers, judges, band directors and parents safe at the auditions.

1. In accordance with Columbia Public School Covid-19 requirements: Masks are required and must be worn at all times while inside Hickman High School.  Everyone will be required to wear a mask while indoors throughout the day. The exception to the mask rule will be for performers during their audition.  Performers will be allowed to remove their mask once in the audition room.  They will need to put it back on before leaving the audition room. Percussionists will wear masks throughout their audition.
2. We will ask for students/parents/directors to try to keep socially distanced and possibly in a different location instead of the cafeteria following their audition.  Schools with large numbers of students will need to remain on campus, but when possible, we ask that you consider a meeting place outside of the cafeteria.  We will use social media to share information regarding call backs.  We would like to keep the number of students in the commons/cafeteria to a minimum the best we can.
3. We will have call backs for flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone and percussion.  All other instruments can return home after their audition.  This is to help keep the crowds down in the facility.  We will post callbacks on Twitter at @MoBandmasters.
4. Results will be posted a day or two later once all chairs have been assigned.
5. A form will be made available one week prior to the auditions for directors to fill out for their student’s decision for chair placement.  A student can choose the highest chair possible regardless of ensemble, Band only, or Orchestra only. If a form is not filled out the all-state coordinator will make the decision for the student.  If a student makes the all-state band and all-state jazz band/choir, we will contact the student/director to ask the student’s choice for performing ensembles.
6. There will be a concession stand available the day of auditions.  We ask that students be mindful of others when eating.  We ask everyone to replace their mask when they finish eating or drinking.

We, as a board, understand that the protocols in every district are different when it comes to quarantining a student.  We recommend that you encourage your students to mask up for the few weeks leading into all-state auditions to keep them from a quarantine situation.  For several schools, lunch is a big part of a student being quarantined.  If this is the case, we recommend asking for a seat away from the student body or at least in a place they cannot be quarantined.  Please help your students be aware of their ability to help themselves audition for the all-state band.  In most cases, the student has control of whether they will be quarantined.

The All-State Band will perform live at the MMEA Convention in January 2022.  If a student is selected as a member of the all-state band but does not feel safe to participate in rehearsals and concert, please share this with the MBA Board In the main office on the day of auditions prior to posting the results (Or as soon as you are aware of the student’s opinion).  Please try to visit with your students in advance to discuss this topic.  We want everyone to have the opportunity to earn a seat in the all-state band!  To get to audition is a huge honor and to make the all-state band is a tremendous honor.  We want to ensure all students have access to these opportunities.

If you are not yet a member of the Missouri Bandmasters Association, please consider joining. We want to hear your voice so that we can best represent the entire state. https://missouribandmasters.org/register-2/

 
Kenny Hansen | Director of Bands
Blue Springs South High School | Blue Springs School District
Phone: 816.874.3500 
​email: khansen@bssd.net  
web: www.bssd.net/bsshs
Missouri Bandmasters Association: President

--

Chris Sacco
SCMMEA HS Band Vice President
Associate Director of Bands 
Ava R-I Schools
507 North Spring St. 
Ava, MO 65608

scmmeahsband@gmail.com
School:  (417)683-5747 x1329
Cell:  (417)860-4542
csacco@avabears.net
SCMMEA HS Band Events Calendar

Good evening!

Thank you all so much for all your help, hard work, and patience in making this year's audition incredibly smooth. Below you will find the results for the 2021-2022 District Bands.

CONCERT & HONOR BAND -
In reference to the "District Concert & Honor Bands 2021-2022" sheet...
B1 = Honor Band
B2 = Concert Band
DO NOT MESS THIS UP!!! This is the list that will be sent to the All-State Band Coordinator for eligibility! If your student is B2-3 (3rd Chair Concert Band) or lower, they are NOT eligible to audition for the All-State Band.
district_honor___concert_results_2021-2022.pdf

JAZZ BAND -
If your student's name appears on the list, they are eligible to audition for the All-State Jazz Band.
district_jazz_results_2021-2022.pdf

THANK YOU -
A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to each and every judge for volunteering to assist with the judging process and to ensure that we put the best students forward to audition for the All-State groups! You all did amazing and we could not have done any of this without you! 
Thank you to all the event staff for your tremendous support throughout the night. You were so instrumental to the efficiency and smoothness of the entire process!
Another huge thank you to Aaron Scriven, Jazz VP for all of his help putting things together, acting as a sounding board, and for being an extra set of eyes and ears. 
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
As always, if you have any questions let me know!

Thanks,

Chris

--

Chris Sacco
SCMMEA HS Band Vice President
Associate Director of Bands 
Ava R-I Schools
507 North Spring St. 
Ava, MO 65608

scmmeahsband@gmail.com
School:  (417)683-5747 x1329
Cell:  (417)860-4542
csacco@avabears.net
SCMMEA HS Band Events Calendar

Hello again,

If you did not receive the handouts at the meeting or if you were not able to attend, here are links to all material that was made available. Let me know if you have any trouble accessing them.

1. Cuts List

 District Cuts Set 2 2021-2022

2. Set II Editions Reference Sheet

 All-State Band Old vs. New Editions - Set 2

3. Arban Book Edition Cross Reference

 Arban, Trumpet & TC Baritone 1936 vs. 2013.pdf

4. Audition Books List

 All-State Band Audition Books

5. MSHSAA Event Dates

 MSHSAA 2021-2022 District & State Dates.pdf

6. MSHSAA State Solo & Ensemble Rotation

 MSHSAA 2022-2027 State S&E Assignment by Day.pdf

7. Local Band Event Dates

 District Band Events 2021-2022

8. Reading Session Literature List

 SCMMEA Summer Meeting - Reading Session 2021

9. Helpful Band Director Websites

 SCMMEA Band Helpful Websites

10. Band Booster Club Info

 Forming a 501c3.pdf

As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I'm always here to help!

Have a great year!!

Best,

Chris

--

Chris Sacco
SCMMEA HS Band Vice President
Associate Director of Bands 
Ava R-I Schools
507 North Spring St. 
Ava, MO 65608

scmmeahsband@gmail.com
School:  (417)683-5747 x1329
Cell:  (417)860-4542
csacco@avabears.net
SCMMEA HS Band Events Calendar

Dear Friends,

Once again, I hope this email finds you well and that you're as ready as you can be for the upcoming school year. Sarah and I have teacher meetings all this week and the kiddos return on Monday. Of course, things are going to be interesting this year but, just like always, we will persevere and get through this together!

With all the uncertainties ahead of us, I wanted to try to clarify as much as I can at this time in regards to District and State level band events. Please understand that as with everything this year, we must "roll with the punches" and be ready for things to change at any time. I will do my best to keep you abreast of new information as I receive it. Just know that sometimes new information comes with unanswered questions that I always try to clarify before disseminating it to all of you.

First, you should have received the following email from Brad Hudson, Missouri Bandmasters Association's All-State Band coordinator, regarding All-State Band auditions:

"Dear Directors, The Missouri Bandmasters Association has been meeting regarding the 2021 Missouri All-State Band.  Even though MMEA is holding a virtual clinic, we would still like to recognize a 2021 Missouri All-State Band.  We are currently exploring the logistics of a possible rehearsal and performance date late in the spring.   All-State Band Auditions will be done via recordings submitted online.  More details to follow soon.  Due to many schools starting only virtually, the deadline will be March 1, 2021.  Directors will register their students as previous years, but there will be a few more steps regarding the upload of the recording.  Please encourage your students to audition for the 2021 Missouri All-State Band Sincerely, Brad Hudson All-State Band Coordinator"


If you have not received this email, contact Brad (bhudson@kirksville.k12.mo.us) to be added to the list.

-DISTRICT AUDITION DEADLINE:
Given this new information, Aaron Scriven (Jazz VP) and I have decided to push our District Band auditions back to Tuesday, December 8th. 
We arrived at this decision for the following reasons:
1. Since All-State Auditions have been moved back, we felt it necessary to follow suit.
2. This will provide students and directors with additional time to work out the logistics of recording virtual auditions.
3. Since both All-State and District choir events have officially been moved to the Spring, we decided to keep our auditions during the Fall semester. We do not want to overload directors and students with multiple high-demand/stress auditions all within the same window. 

-AUDITION PLATFORM:
Festival Scores
Due to the virtual nature of the auditions, MBA has decided to utilize an online-based audition system called Festival Scores (https://festivalscores.com/). This decision has not been released to directors throughout the state but has been sent to the Band VP's within each District. This system was developed by former Kansas Band Director Troy Johnson. It is and has been utilized in 6 states across the country and is a tried and true system. I recently participated in a demonstration and training for the system and can say that I don't feel that there is a better system available for recorded auditions. It is our decision to utilize this program for our District-Level Auditions as well. 

I am currently manipulating the system to find the easiest and most efficient way to administer this year's audition process. I will be working on training/informational videos that will ease the blow of utilizing the new system. I will be sending those out as the event nears.

-REGISTRATION:
Monday, November 9th - Tuesday, December 8th
As of right now, the plan is to open the registration window for directors to input their school info, student info, and upload audition recordings on Monday, November 9th. This would give everyone nearly a month's time to enter in all the necessary information. Unlike in previous years, we WILL NOT be able to REOPEN the registration window once it closes. Once the window closes, you will not be able to add or change any information.

-AUDITION FEES:
$2.00 per audition + $10.00 per school (Ernie Pratt)
By foregoing an in-person performance ensemble, we will not be providing clinician compensation. This means we will not be requiring schools to pay the traditional $10.00 per audition. The fee will be lowered to $2.00 per audition. Remember, this means that if you have one student who is auditioning on 2 different instruments for the concert band and 1 instrument for the jazz band, you will owe $6.00 for that student. 
The $2.00 charge is strictly to pay for the use and maintenance of Festival Scores. This cost includes registration, storing audition recordings, judging rubrics, posting results, and training for festival managers.
I would like to still be able to offer our Ernie Pratt Scholarship to a graduating senior who is selected for one of our District Ensembles. This is a $10.00 contribution to the scholarship per participating school. 
Much like the system we have used for the past 2 years, Festival Scores conveniently generates invoices for directors. As of right now, I will most likely have to send an additional invoice for the Ernie Pratt fee.

-RECORDED AUDITIONS:
First, I will contact those who have been selected to judge the auditions and ask for a specific list of scales and etudes that they would like to hear for this year. I will then send that list out to all of you so you can inform your students what is expected. This information will be released shortly before the registration window opens. Students/Directors will record their auditions in a SPECIFIC order and in ONE CONTINUOUS TAKE. This is the format that the All-State Band will be using as well. If this changes, I will send an update.
Recordings will need to be in an mp3 format and be free of any edits or effects. If evidence of alteration is found the student will be disqualified. Unfortunately the system does not support the use of mp4/video recordings. The size of the files and the amount of time needed to upload said files would be a hindrance as well.
Directors are the only people that can upload the mp3 files to the system. 

-JUDGING:
I will be utilizing the judges list below. The list consists of the individuals that I have already secured. 

 Judges List 2020

You will notice that there are no longer separate scale judges for flute, clarinet, and trumpet. This is due to the rule of having one continuous recording.
Once the deadline has passed, Aaron and I will take care of any remaining logistical concerns and then open the judging window. Judges will be allowed to access their assigned instrument recordings and will be given 1 week (at the most) to evaluate all auditions. More judging specific information will be sent as the event nears.

-RESULTS:
Once judging is complete and any and all doubling issues have been resolved, results will be posted. The plan is to accomplish all of this prior to the holiday break. Aaron and I will work hard to ensure that this is a possibility but please be patient and understanding as we all work with the new system.

And there you have it! That's what I have for now. I will send out updates as they become available. As always, let me know if you have any questions. I may not know the answer immediately, but I will find it for you!

Best,

Chris