HONOR ENSEMBLES
Each year, several RHS Band students participate in honor ensembles at the county, region and state levels. These ensembles are sponsored by a variety of different associations, each selecting their membership through competitive blind auditions held on specific dates throughout the year.
Bergen County Band
Sponsored by MEBCI (Music Educators of Bergen County, Inc.,) the Bergen County Band recognizes the top band musicians in our county. Students perform a live audition at the end of November consisting of scales and an excerpt from standard band literature (audition etudes for percussion.) There is no sightreading requirement. Selected students must attend three required rehearsals in the week leading up to the concert in mid January.
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For schedule and audition information and materials click here.
Region I Bands and Orchestras
The Region I Bands and Orchestras are sponsored by NJSMA (North Jersey School Music Association) and recognize the top instrumentalists in the northern part of the state. The Region Bands and Orchestras consist of senior ensembles (grades 9-12) and junior ensembles (grade 9 only.) Senior auditions take place on the first Saturday in January, while junior auditions are held on the first Saturday in February. Auditions are held live and consist of scales, an excerpt from standard solo literature for each instument, and sight reading. Selected students will be assigned to parts in the wind ensemble, symphonic band and/or orchestra. The bands and orchestras maintain separate rehearsal and performance schedules.
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For schedule, audition information and materials click here.
All State Bands and Orchestras
Sponsored by NJMEA (New Jersey Music Educators Association) and organized in a similar fashion to the senior Region Bands and Orchestras, the All State Bands and Orchestra recognize the top players in the state of New Jersey. In order to be eligible to audition for the All State Bands and Orchestras, students must first qualify for the senior Region groups. Auditions for wind and percussion parts in the All State Bands and Orchestra are held in mid January and use the same audition materials as senior Region. The All State Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble typically perform in February, while the All State Orchestra performs in November.
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For schedule, audition information and materials click here.
Region & All State Jazz Ensembles
The Region I Jazz Ensembles are sponsored by NJAJE (New Jersey Association for Jazz Education) and recognize the top jazz instrumentalists in the northern part of the state. The Region Jazz Ensembles Bands and Orchestras consist of a senior ensemble (grades 9-12) and a junior ensemble (grade 7-9.) Auditions for both ensembles take place in mid-March, with rehearsals and the concert typically taking place in late March and April. Auditions are held live and consist of scales, an excerpt from an audition etude for each instrument, and sight reading. The senior audition also includes improvisation. The top scoring 9-11 graders who try out for Region Senior Jazz Ensemble are eligible to audition for the All State Jazz Ensemble in May.
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The All State Jazz Ensemble is co-sponsored by NJAJE and NJMEA and performs two concerts in November of the following school year after the audition - one in Atlantic City during the NJEA Convention, and one the following week at the NJPAC in Newark. The All State Jazz Ensemble is typically conducted by a world-renowned jazz educator/performer.
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For schedule, audition information and materials click here.