Welcome to the Kell Band Directors’ Blog! Both Mr. Roth and Mr. Watts are very excited about this year and being able to communicate important information with you all via this blog. Please make sure to check this blog and the Kell Band Site regularly to ensure you are keeping up to date with new information.
All new information will appear below the “Current Newsletter” link.
Post Student Selection Video Audition:
All selected students will be asked to submit an audition video. These will be open for upload after student selections are made. The audition information is below.
Winds:
We’ve revised our audition requirements to create a more objective measurement. Historically, we’ve used the GMEA All-State lyrical etudes. As the etudes are different for 9/10 and 11/12, this created challenges when adjudicating different etudes and ranking the students. We believe this year’s changes will allow us to more accurately rank the students based on their audition videos. See below for the 2027 JanFest audition materials.
All winds should prepare 2 scales to submit. They may choose from the GMEA All-State Band scales of concert G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, and Gb scales. Scales do not have to be memorized.
All winds should prepare their chromatic scale in a comfortable low range to high range (ascending only). Tempo is 80, performed in quarter notes, 8th notes, or triplets. Metronome should be audible. Ascending chromatic does not have to be memorized.
If your wind player would like to be considered for one of the honor bands (top 4 bands), they should prepare the GMEA Lyrical Etude for their grade level (9-10 or 11-12).
If your wind player would like to be considered for the Wind Ensemble, the top JanFest band, they must also submit a short additional etude provided by UGA. Perform the short selection bracketed between the two red lines. The additional technical etude can be found HERE.
Percussion:
We’ve revised our audition requirements to create a more objective measurement. Historically, we’ve used the GMEA All-State mallet etudes. As the etudes are different for 9/10 and 11/12, this created challenges when adjudicating different etudes and ranking the students. We believe this year’s changes will allow us to more accurately rank the students based on their audition videos. See below for the 2027 JanFest audition materials.
All percussionists should prepare 2 scales to submit. They may choose from the GMEA Mallet All-State Band scales of concert G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, and Gb scales. Scales do not have to be memorized.
Percussionists should prepare their 2-octave chromatic scale starting on C (ascending only). Tempo is 80, performed in quarter notes, 8th notes, or triplets. Metronome should be audible. Ascending chromatic does not have to be memorized.
If your percussionist would like to be considered for one of the honor bands (top 4 bands), they should prepare the GMEA 1st round All-State Snare & Timpani etudes for their grade.
If your percussionist would like to be considered for the Wind Ensemble, the top JanFest band, they must also submit a short additional etude provided by UGA. Perform the short selection bracketed between the two red lines. The additional technical etude can be found HERE.
JanFest Jazz Ensemble Information:
Any student in your program who wishes to audition for the JanFest Jazz Ensemble should submit their audition video through Festival Scores by Friday, November 13. There is no nomination process for the Jazz Ensemble. All interested students may submit an audition.
Directors will be notified of students selected for the JanFest Jazz Ensemble on November 18. If a student is not selected for the JanFest Jazz Ensemble, directors have the option to submit a nomination form, or update their previously submitted nominations, through the JanFest student nomination form due at 5:00 PM on November 20.
JanFest Jazz Ensemble Audition Materials:
Please see attached step-by-step instructions on how to activate the 2027 JanFest Jazz Ensemble event in Festival Scores, where audition videos will be submitted.
Students should prepare the audition materials for their instrument.
If your student wants to be considered for Lead Trumpet or Lead Trombone, they must submit the additional Lead Brass Excerpt for their instrument.
Winds, Strings, & Piano students should prepare:
Percussion students should prepare (students auditioning on drum set must also play the scales portion of the audition on vibraphone):
Please see the links below regarding info discussed during the first day of school:
Syllabus – receipt of transmittal printed out and needs to be returned with signature
Instrument Check-Out Forms — must be returned with parent signature to use school equipment
Looking forward to a great semester!
Congratulations to all our students!
Please see the links below regarding info discussed during the first day of school.
Looking forward to a great semester!
Syllabus – receipt of transmittal printed out and needs to be returned with signature
Instrument Check-Out Forms — must be returned with parent signature to use school equipment
*WE ONLY* Remind — sign up for the class Remind for updates; text @2526kellwe to 81010
THANK YOU to ALL students who went through leadership training process this year! We appreciate your time, effort, and dedication and are so proud of all of you.
We are also pleased to announce the 2025-2026 Student Leadership Team. Congratulations! We’re looking forward to an incredible year!
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