Honors Music Festival 2012

Take Your Place at the High School Honors Music Festival at Mason

The High School Honors Music Festival at Mason is an annual 3 day music extravaganza, featuring Honor Symphonic Band, Honor Jazz Ensemble, and Honor Orchestra! Every January, George Mason University's School of Music gathers talented young musicians for 3 days of intense musical immersion. The Festival features professional Mason School of Music faculty, who are focused on inspiring today's youth to achieve musical excellence through rigorous rehearsals and personal attention. The Festival also includes performances from Mason collegiate music ensembles, master classes from guest artists, and concludes with a public concert performance by the Festival participants in GMU's Center for the Arts. If you are an enthusiastic high school musician, you will find your next great musical adventure at Mason!

2012 High School Honors Music Festival
January 27-29, 2012
School of Music
George Mason University (Fairfax campus)
Registration Deadline: December 16, 2011*

*We advise you to apply early to secure your spot. Positions may still be open after the deadline (if online registration is closed, please call 703-993-9889 for availability).

Honors Music Festival Menu:

• How to Apply/ Festival Fees
• Audition Information (including School of Music auditions)
• Festival Schedule
• Festival Faculty
• Inclement Weather Policy

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How to Apply/ Festival Fees

Any student grade 9 through 12 currently enrolled in a band, orchestra or jazz program at a public or private school may apply for the Festival. Other students MUST first contact the Honors Festival Coordinator for approval.† REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011!

FEES: The 2012 Festival Fee is $75, which includes festival T-shirt, Master Classes by Washington Symphonic Brass Quintet and other professional groups, and dinner on Saturday.

PARKING: A Festival Parking Permit for Friday for Lot K is available for purchase during registration for $8 and may be picked up at Check-In on the first day. You may also park in the Mason Pond Parking Deck for an hourly/daily rate. Parking in Lot K is free on Saturday and Sunday. Quick Drop-off/Pick-up should be done in front of the Center for the Arts.

HOUSING: Housing options are available. Please contact the Festival Coordinator for more information.

After registering online through Potomac Arts Academy's system (recommended) or mailing in the paper form, you will receive registration confirmation and an electronic receipt via email. A welcome letter with detailed information and instructions will be sent to you mid-January.

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Audition Information (including university/scholarship auditions)

Festival Auditions
Auditions (for seating placement only) will occur at the start of the Festival. This is for seating placement only and does not affect your involvement in the Festival. FESTIVAL AUDITION REQUIREMENTS*:

* ALL STUDENTS: Be prepared to sight-read!

UNIVERSITY AUDITIONS - THURSDAY, JANUARY 26TH
For Acceptance & Scholarships to George Mason University 2011/12
High School seniors participating in the Honors Music Festival have the opportunity to audition for the School of Music on Thursday, January 26th. If you wish to schedule a university audition, you MUST contact Lynn Wildman (mwildman@gmu.edu). Please note, your audition for the School of Music will NOT count as your audition for seating placement in the Festival. Scholarship awards are available to those who successfully audition for the School of Music.

• VISIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC "ADMISSIONS" PAGE NOW

University audition participants who wish to also apply for Scholarships for the 2011/12 academic year to the School of Music should indicate their intent when contacting Lynn Wildman. There is scholarship money available for both classical and jazz applicants. These auditions are separate from the Festival seating placement auditions.

• VISIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC "ADMISSIONS" PAGE NOW

If you have any questions about the audition process, please contact the Festival Coordinator.
John Kilkenny: (571) 286-2796, jkilken1@gmu.edu

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2012 Honors Music Festival Schedule

All times are subject to change.

Thursday, January 26
(optional, for Seniors only)
University auditions/ Scholarship auditions for School of Music
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
(see Auditions section for more info)

Friday, January 27
4 - 4:30 pm - Participant Arrival and Registration
de Laski Performing Arts Building lobby

4:30 - 4:45 pm - Brief Orientation Meeting
de Laski Performing Arts Building

5 - 7:30 pm - Festival Seating Placement Auditions
Students will be taken to their specific audition room from the general warm up area in the de Laski Performing Arts Building.  Once you are done with your audition, please plan to stay for the evening performance of the Mason Jazz. Campus tours and dining hall options are all open and available to participants.
de Laski Performing Arts Building

8 pm - Opening Concert MASON JAZZ
Harris Theatre
This performance is free and open to the public
Pick up is in front of the Center for the Arts after the performance.

Saturday, January 28
*Note:  the Jazz Band and Orchestra Schedules are slightly different on this day

8 am - Call time and individual warm up

8 am - Rehearsals begin
Honor band – de Laski PAB
Honor orchestra – Harris Theatre
Honor jazz ensemble – band room, 327C

10:30 am - Band and Jazz only - Special Performance
Washington Symphonic Brass Quintet – Honor Band and Jazz Band, de Laski PAB
String Faculty Master Class – Honor Orchestra, Harris Theatre

11 am  Orchestra only - Special Performance, Mason String Quarter  

11:30 am (approximately)  - Lunch
Johnson Center        

12:45 pm - Rehearsals begin
Mason faculty and selected graduate students will be available
throughout the afternoon to assist students as needed

5 - 6 pm - Dinner (provided)
Southside Dining Hall

6:15 - 7:30 pm - College Session and Music Career Q&A
de Laski Performing Arts Building

7:30 pm (approximately) -  Students dismissed
Pick up in front of the Center for the Arts

Sunday, January 29

11 am - Call time
Honor Band – Concert Hall Stage
Honor Orchestra – Harris Theatre
Honor Jazz – band room 327C

Ensembles will rotate every 30 minutes, so each group will get dress rehearsal time.
Once your dress rehearsal is over, please leave your instruments and cases backstage.

12:30 pm - Lunch Break
change into your concert attire after you eat – there are dressing rooms backstage of the Concert Hall

1:50 pm - Festival participants seated in the Concert Hall

2 pm - Opening remarks, John Kilkenny, Festival Coordinator

2:05 pm - Performances begin – each ensemble will stay to hear the other performances.

4:30 pm - Students dismissed
Pick up in front of Center for the Arts.

YOUR CONCERT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC; PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND TEACHERS TO ATTEND!

Participating students are required to attend all rehearsals and the final performance in their entirety.

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2012 Honors Music Festival Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather, the Festival will follow the Fairfax County Public Schools decision regarding activity delay/cancellation. Please go to the FCPS website for updates. In the unfortunate event of cancellation, full refunds will be issued, and we will provide as many alternative suggestions as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact the festival coordinator John Kilkenny at jkilken1@gmu.edu.

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