Honor Ensembles
Students who participate in honor bands are exposed to challenging music, incredible experiences, and they can help pave the way for success when preparing for college scholarship auditions. Honor bands are also great places to make new friends with students from around the community, state, or country.
Below is a list of local and state honor bands. Many major universities offer honor band opportunities, so feel free to explore additional opportunities.
ALL-STATE HONOR ENSEMBLES
These ensembles are sponsored by the California Band Directors Association (CBDA) and the California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA). All audition recordings and materials must be submitted by Mr. Cerna. Honor Band and Orchestra performances are held at the CASMEC conference in February. Please talk to Mr. Cerna if you are interested in auditioning for an All-State Honor ensemble.
For more information, go to:
Band: https://cbda.org/all-state-ensembles/auditions/
Orchestra: https://www.codaorchestras.org/high-school-all-state-orchestras/
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
HONOR BAND
Info for the CCCHB can be found at www.cccbda.org
ALL NORTHERN HONOR BAND
The NCBA All Northern Honor Band is an exciting event for advanced music students to perform under the baton of highly respected music educators. The Honor Band performance takes place in Stockton typically around mid-January. The audition materials are the same for both CBDA and NCBA Honor Bands. Scales/etudes for honor bands as well as CAJ instrumental jazz materials are already posted on CBDA website. Honor Orchestra audition materials are posted on CODA website.
For audition info, go to:
https://www.ncbaonline.net/?page_id=176
NATIONAL HONOR ENSEMBLES
Music for All presents three positively life-changing honor ensemble experiences for the nation’s outstanding high school concert band, orchestra, and jazz musicians. As part of the Music for All National Festival, the honor ensembles provide a national stage and world-class learning and performance opportunities with distinguished conductors, artists, and master teachers.