CONTEST DATE - SATURDAY, MARCH 5 or MAY 7

A Solo & Ensemble Contest will be held for all Dan F. Long band members on Saturday, March 5 at Dan F. Long. Students will perform their solo/ensemble entries in a room before one judge. The judge then rates each performance on the following scale:

There is an entry fee for each solo/ensemble. The fees are:

Cash or checks payable to DFLBC are acceptable. These fees are due in February. These fees pay for judges' salaries, medals and forms necessary for the contest.

Students have been looking at various pieces of music and should have made their decision about which piece to play.

All Band members are expected to perform in a solo or ensemble even if they cannot enter the contest.  Those unable to enter the contest will perform their music in class. This can be a fun and exciting opportunity to perform.  It will greatly increase a student's playing proficiency, as well as give those competing in the contest, a chance to earn a medal.

The contest is normally run according to UIL rules with some slight modifications.  Some details are being worked out at this time and more information may follow when necessary.   Each entry is normally categorized by level of difficulty as set in the UIL Prescribed Music List.  The most difficult pieces are Class I, then Class II and finally Class III. We will accept solos not in the PML if selected by private lesson instructors.  These solos many times have been listed in previous years.

Class I, II, III solos generally are written with piano accompaniments and must be played with piano (which may include recordings), otherwise the entry will be classified differently.  Ensembles rarely have piano accompaniments. Students earning a Division I rating will be awarded a medal according to the classification (i.e., a Division I on a Class I earns a gold medal with a blue ribbon; a Division I on a Class II earns a silver medal with a red ribbon; and so on...)

We may have a piano accompanist available, but you'll need to request one.  The normal charge is $25 per solo.  Likewise, you may wish to ask around for an accompanist.  You may find one who would do it for free or charge as much as $50.  Please use your discretion.  I recommend only adults play accompaniments since it is much harder to play accompaniments than it is to simply play piano.  It is very beneficial for the students to perform with an accompanist.