The National Band Letter is awarded to the top high school Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors based on a nationally established performance proficiency, ensemble participation, and demonstrated leadership. These achievements are recorded in a profile containing general information, related ensemble experience, honors and awards, and references. A video demonstrating required performance proficiencies by instrument type must also be uploaded.
The following are the requirements for auditioning and testing for the National Band Letter:
● At least one year of high school completed.
● Documentation of participation in three or more high school ensembles (Ensembles may be repeated each year. Example: Marching Band 9th grade and Marching Band 10th Grade).
● Documentation of auditioning least once for an Honors Ensemble. Example: All-State Band, District Band, All-County Band.
● Documentation of a solo performance either in recital, concerto contest, or music association solo and ensemble festival or competition.
● Demonstration of a performance solo composition (can be unaccompanied) or related Etude that meets the state grade requirement of grade 4 or higher by uploading an unedited video. (If state repertoire list is not available, the National Repertoire Directory found at Scholarship Auditions can be the substitute.)
● Demonstrate the ability to perform all major scales and chromatic scale within three minutes and twenty seconds.
● Demonstrate knowledge of 150 basic musical terms. A test of ten terms will be facilitated on this website.
● Demonstrate knowledge of the historic musical style periods and major composers associated with each style period. A test of ten questions affirming the auditionee’s basic knowledge of this subject matter will be facilitated on this website.
● Demonstrate knowledge of key signatures and intervals. A test of ten questions of key signatures and intervals will be facilitated on this website.
● Obtain a positive reference from high school band director.
● Make a payment of application fee of $75 or apply for the Brio Bridge Scholarship.
Brio Bridge Scholarship
The National Band Letter leaders acknowledge that talent and personal achievement transcends cultural and economic barriers and many talented young people never have the recognition deserved due to these seemly, enormous barriers. That is the reason, Brio Bridge Scholarship program was put into place. This allows for all deserving students to have the same opportunity and the same awarded spotlight.
The majority of Brio Bridge Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $50; However, some can be for the full application and review amount. The process for consideration of these scholarship funds is via a simple application completed by the applicants band director. It is the commitment of the Brio Bridge Scholarship committee to have a response back to the applicant with a copy to the applying band director within four-days.
