Our Frost band and orchestra students have many opportunities to grow as a musician. One of those extra opportunities is Solo and Ensemble (S&E). S&E will take place at Franklin High School (Livonia) on Saturday, January 16 2027. Our students will be working on a solo/duet project. Students that do not participate in MSBOA Solo and Ensemble, will still prepare a solo to play for Mr. Rais.

 

I am recommending many students participate in the MSBOA event even though it is not required. This gives our students an opportunity to prepare and take ownership of their learning and playing skills. Students prepare a piece of music to play for an adjudicator that specializes in your student’s instrument. Students will receive feedback on their performance and depending on how they score on their performance, they can earn a medal for a I or II division rating.

 

This event starts at the 7th-grade level and continues throughout their high school career. In high school, students that get a I rating, can qualify for the state level, and even perform in the all-state band or orchestra. This looks great on college applications too! We have always had a great representation of Frost students at Solo and Ensemble every year. Students from all over the state of Michigan grades 7-12 will be participating in this event.  

 

Solo and Ensemble; participate in MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) Solo and Ensemble on Saturday, January 16, 2027. There is a fee for this event. Students that choose this option will decide to either perform a solo (piano accompanist needed) or a duet with another student. Band and Orchestra students cannot play duets together because there aren’t works available for these combinations (ex. Flute/Viola). Students that do this option will receive a passing grade for the solo assignment plus extra credit for their participation in this event. 

 

The prices for District 12 S&E Events are as follows:

$15 per solo (Student must hire a piano accompanist; they do charge a fee)   

$15 per piano solo (Students who play piano and study with a private teacher)

$10 per person in an ensemble (ex. Two students playing a trumpet duet = $20 total)

 

I recommend students who would like to play a duet with a friend, to choose their partner carefully. Make sure that both of you practice, and are finding time to meet and practice together. I recommend our 7th graders to perform either a solo or go in a duet situation if they are worried about playing by themselves. 7th-grade students should only participate in one event the first time attending. 8th graders may participate in up to 3 events. 

 

Piano Solo:

If you choose to play a piano solo, Mr. Rais does NOT pick the sheet music for piano solos. Only students who study with a piano teacher should have a piece selected by their private piano teacher. 

 

Music Selection for MSBOA S&E:

If your student is studying with a private teacher, their private teacher may select their piece for the student. If the student does not have a private teacher, they can select music to play from Mr. Rais’ S&E collection. Students will need to provide the adjudicator with an original copy of the music. You may purchase the original book or check out the original book from Mr. Rais. Students will perform from a copy of the music. Mr. Rais will have time during Falcon Time for students to come down to select pieces. Students may also go to Cameron’s Music (5 Mile and Middlebelt) to purchase sheet music. Mr. Rais must give approval of the piece being performed before they prepare.