All-District Band

Each year in early February, the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors' Association (VBODA) sponsors an All-District Band event at Hayfield Secondary School. Students audition for the event in early December (or early January, in the case of inclement weather), at JEB Stuart High School To audition, students perform selected scales, a prescribed music selection, and a sight-reading. Judges are seated behind curtains and students are identified by numbers. A band is selected from a predetermined instrumentation list. Those selected for the All-District Band attend rehearsals with a guest conductor for a Thursday (evening), Friday (all day), and Saturday (all day). The event culminates with a Saturday evening performance.

Solo and Ensemble Festival

Solo and Ensemble Festival gives students a chance to perform music in a smaller setting than the band. Sponsored by the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors' Association (VBODA), this activity is held at a middle school in the area. Students perform solos and in small ensembles in front of an impartial judge. Music is graded according to difficulty, from I (easy) to VI (very difficult). Middle School students generally play grade II to IV, with a few exceptions. Performances are assessed according to set standards of criteria. THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION. Five ratings are given: I-Superior, II-Excellent, III-Good, IV-Fair, V-Poor. Students receive a comment sheet with constructive criticism and details on areas of improvement.

Middle School Marching Band Participation Night

The middle school marching band participation night is an opportunity for middle school band students to experience a marching band performance at a high school football game. Students participate in one rehearsal on
Thursday, September 27, from 2:20 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. On Friday, September 28, they perform the national anthem and the Hayfield fight song with the high school marching band during pre-game ceremonies. During the game, the middle school students sit with the marching band in the bleachers, playing pep songs. Music is provided. Middle school band students are admitted free into the football game with the marching band.

Participation in this event is mandatory for members of the Symphonic band.

Marching Band Requirements for Rising Ninth Graders

Current eighth graders who are planning to participate in the year 2008 Hayfield Marching Band as ninth graders should be aware that a mandatory marching band camp from August 11 to August 28 is required of all members. All members selected by audition to the High School Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Bands are required to participate in marching band. Students in the High School Concert Bands and Beginning Band are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the marching band.