Program Activity List & General Information

All State Auditions: FBA holds auditions for the FBA All State Middle School Band in September. The audition is recorded and evaluated by adjudicators at a later date. The band is normally announced in November and is comprised of the best musicians in the state of Florida. If chosen for the band, the concert is performed at the FMEA state convention in Tampa during the month of January.

Fall Fundraiser: The entire Music Department participates in a fundraiser in the early part of the semester. The money is used to help students pay for spring competition trips and to purchase needed supplies and equipment for the department.

Seminole Sound Spectacular: Symphonic & Concert Band members perform the Star Spangled Banner and one other pop tune to open up the marching band competition held annually at Seminole High School. This event is usually held on the last Saturday of September in the afternoon.

All County Band: All County Band auditions are held in October at Largo Middle School. Local band directors from Pinellas County adjudicate students and make the selections for the All County Band. The concert is normally televised on the PCS channel and takes place in the spring. If selected for the band, students must attend a series of rehearsals at LMS. Absences from rehearsal will result in removal from the ensemble.

Winter & Spring Concerts: SMS Bands perform at two major concerts during the school year at the conclusion of each semester in the Winter and the Spring. All ensembles participate in full uniform.

Dinner Recital: The dinner night is a fundraiser for the band program where families enjoy a great evening of music and food. While families are dining, the students perform their Solo & Ensemble music for a full audience. This event takes place in the beginning of February at Seminole Middle in the commons.

Solo & Ensemble: Students perform solo & small ensemble music that is adjudicated for a rating. Students that are awarded the highest rating of superior, receive an FBA medal. There is a small entry fee and music must be chosen from the FBA approved S & E music list. Music is graded from Grade 1 to Grade 6 with grade 1 being the least difficult. This event normally takes place in the second week of February.

Jazz Performance Assessment: The Jazz Ensemble performs three selections for a panel of FBA adjudicators for a rating. The location changes every year but the event is held in the month of February traditionally. Admission is free and families are welcome to attend and support the students.

District Music Performance Assessment: This event is where all of the concert bands perform three selections for a panel of FBA adjudicators for a rating. After the stage performance there is also a sight reading experience for another FBA judge for a rating as well. This is a very important event for the band program as it is the evaluation of an entire school year of hard work. This event changes locations from year to year and is normally held in late spring.

Spring Trip: The Symphonic Band always takes a spring competition trip in late spring to compete in National Music Festivals. The band has competed in Orlando, Gatlinburg, & Atlanta, to name a few. Planning for the trip takes place at the beginning of the school year and fund raising opportunities are available. Attendance is crucial as it takes everyone to do their part for a GREAT performance!