There are tons of performance opportunities for students, and I encourage kids to go for as many as possible! For students enrolled in Georgia school band programs, I highly recommend auditioning for District Honor Band and All-State Band (click HERE). Ask your band directors to recommend you for MidFest or JanFest at the University of Georgia, which is very similar to the District Band experience. In the spring (or fall for some schools), sign up for the GMEA Solo/Ensemble festival and play a solo! Go to a band camp (click HERE). After you graduate from high school, sign up for a college symphonic band, even if you are not a music major. Post-college, there are lots of community adult bands/orchestras to enjoy - music is a lifelong activity!
The following is a list of available Metro-Atlanta ensembles (as of 2021) who meet throughout the school year. Most groups require scales, a chromatic, a prepared solo, and sight-reading. Click the name of a group to visit their website:
ASYO (Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra) AYWS (Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony) MYSO (Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra) MAYWE (Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble) GYSO (Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra) EYSO (Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra) Alpharetta Youth Symphony East Forsyth Youth and Community Orchestra Forsyth Symphony Orchestra SONG (Symphony of North Georgia) North Georgia Youth Wind Symphony (starting in August 2023 at Reinhardt University!)