Saturday, May 10, 2025

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CHAIRPERSON & SITE HOST: Chris Elbing

LOCATION: New Bern High School

Registration Timeline

(Closes April 11, 2024):
  • Online Registration (You must register each ensemble separately.)
  • STEP 2: Check over these event files:​
  • Performances are limited to a max. 6 minutes
  • Be sure to have original scores/books for the adjudicator (only 1 is needed)

​IMPORTANT

In order for students to participate in any district event, such as All-District Auditions, MPA, or Solo and Ensemble MPA, the director must be a paid member TWO WEEKS prior to the early registration deadline for that particular event, and all students need to be enrolled in at least one band class.

Complete Registration Includes:

  1. Online registration submitted by April 11, 2024.
  2. Registration is $10.00 per solo or ensemble, regardless of size. (I.e. a solo is $10.00, a group of 8 is $10.00, etc...)

​Mail checks to:

Chris Elbing
New Bern High School
4200 Academic Dr.
​New Bern, NC 28562

Why Participate in this event?

The benefit of having your students work on solos or chamber groups is that you are promoting:
  1. Student leadership. Most groups will be run by students, with director feedback
  2. Listening skills. Students are being exposed to tuning, matching of style, balance, and blend
  3. Confidence. If students are playing 1 part by themselves, they must learn to play the correct notes and rhythms. We all know that children feel safety in numbers, but the stronger the individual player is, the better your band will be. 
  4. Appreciation of varied literature. There is no state list for this event. Students can play classical, jazz, or pop music. There is a lot of music out there for students to find. 

How to incorporate chamber music into class

  1. Invest in a few duet, trio, quartet books. I also recommend purchasing flexible ensemble books such as Compatible Duets, Trios, Quartets, Duets for All, Progressive Duets, and so on. Chamber music is usually very affordable and much cheaper than concert repertoire.
  2. Allow students to rehearse in class. Create a schedule of about 15-20min practice blocks for your students