Lower Area Junior Band Clinic is a high-level honor band event for 7th-9th grade musicians in Lower East Tennessee.  Students are selected by audition (in mid-late November) and are placed in bands according to their scores.  Top scoring 8th and 9th graders are placed in Blue Band, followed by placement in the Red Band.  Top scoring 7th Grade students are placed in their own honor band.      

The event itself is a two-day intensive musical workshop (“clinic”) where students learn and perform new and/or advanced repertoire under the guidance of guest conductors.  The focus is on improving technique, ensemble skills, and advancing musicianship and culminates in a concert on a Saturday afternoon in early December. Participating students receive a medal for their achievement. The ETSBOA Lower Area Representative is the primary contact for this event.  Detailed information about audition requirements is available from the student’s band director. 

Lower Area Solo and Ensemble Festival is an opportunity for middle and high school band and orchestra musicians to perform a solo of their choosing, small ensemble piece (duet, trio, etc.), or both, for an adjudicator to receive a rating and personalized feedback for the performance.  The ratings are as follows: I- Superior, II-Excellent, III- Good, IV- Fair.  Students that earn a rating of I or II are entitled to receive a medal from the association for their successful performance.   

There is no required solo list – each student may choose their own music and may perform up to three different solos/ensemble pieces. The student’s director should assist in music selection to ensure that it is appropriate for the event.  Students may perform with or without piano accompaniment. ETSBOA does not provide accompanists.

The ETSBOA Lower Area Representative is the primary contact for this event.  Detailed information about audition requirements is available from the student’s band director.