Honor bands are THE BEST way for students to take a step forward in their playing and to get serious about music. Honor band is an intensive 2-3 day experience, in which students spend 8-12 hours rehearsing with a guest conductor (usually a college or other well-regarded conductor), culminating in a performance. There are honor bands at different levels of significance/difficulty, so there are options for every student. Below is a list of honor bands, and some explanatory information for each.
Region V Honor band
Open to most students with no audition required. Students indicate in class if they are interested in attending. Priority goes to upper classmen, but Freshmen may still go if there is room in their section. Students new to THS will be asked to prepare something very short and basic to play for the band director in private. Basic proficiency on your instrument is required for this honor band, but you don't need to be a virtuoso.
Sierra college Honor band
This is the most achievable honor band after Region V. It is by audition only, and audition music will be available in the band room. Mr. Steele will help those who are interested with the music. The event is generally early December from a Thursday evening to Friday.
- Early December at Sierra College Rocklin
- Requires 1 night hotel stay
- Audition recordings are due to Mr. Steele by mid-November
- Approximately 10-15 students attend
All-state Honor band
The toughest, most prestigious, but most amazing honor band. This is for the most serious music students. Audition music MUST BE PERFECT, with distinguishing traits being the smallest of details. If you are auditioning for this, you should be seeking support with the music as soon as it is available in the spring. The audition music is expanded versions of the NorCal and Cap audition music. Click here to visit the CBDA website.
norcal and capitol Honor bands
Both of these honor bands are highly competitive, extremely high-level bands. Students who make these are on track to receive music scholarships in college. The audition music for both bands is the mostly the same. NorCal has a jazz honor band as well.
- Capitol: Early January in Sacramento
- NorCal: Early February, location varies each year between CSU Sonoma, Humboldt, Chico and Sac State. Requires two-night hotel stay
- Approximately 3-8 students attend
