Wednesday, August 30, 2017 | Uncategorized

THE LIVE AUDITION

1. Be in shape and be fit! Be in the best shape you’ve ever played.

2. On audition day, be warmed up and ready to go.

3. Deep breathing and self-talk will help your confidence.

4. Have calming foods or tea before your audition. Here are some examples.

Chamomile tea, or Rooibos tea
Eggs
Probiotics found in yogurt
Turkey
Avocados
Dark chocolate
Asparagus

5. After I've been playing a while, I find that brushing my teeth just before I play again helps. I'm not sure why, but maybe it's the mint in the toothpaste? Test this out before audition day and see if it works for you.

6. Practice sight-reading every day.

7. Clean your instrument and mouthpiece. Also, dress nice. If you look good, you'll feel good.

8. If you prefer to stand, then stand. If you play better sitting down, then ask to sit. Adjust your stand and anything else to make you as comfortable as possible.

9. Practice introducing yourself, just in case you need to.

10. This will most likely not be your “best take” of the music. Expect a stumble or two, and when they occur just keep playing.

11. Don’t empty spit valves on the floor without asking. They may want you to use a wastebasket or a rug or a rag.

12. Be ready to answer questions. What school do you go to? Who are you studying with? What do you like about band? Why are you auditioning?

13. Have a couple questions ready for the audition committee. For example; How many of my instrument get accepted? How soon do I find out if I'm accepted?

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Saturday, July 29, 2017 | Uncategorized

The ILMEA Audition process is an AMAZING experience! Talk with your band director and me if you're interested in auditioning. We're here to help you with every step. If you've been practicing, you've already been preparing...now it's time to laser focus. This could be a chance to take it all to the next level!

Junior Auditions (middle school)

**Junior Concert Band**

Audition Date: Saturday, September 23, 2017

Music Link (info only; your band director or I will help you find the actual music): https://www.ilmea.org/districts/district4/junior-band/

Audition Site: Round Lake High School

Audition fee: $8.00 per student

On-Line (RNS) Entry Deadline: Thursday, September 14, 2017 @ 11:59pm

**Junior Jazz Band**

Audition Date: September  23, 2017

Music Link (info only; your band director or I will help you find the actual music): https://www.ilmea.org/districts/district7/junior-jazz-band/

Senior Auditions (high school)

**Senior Concert Band**

Deadline: Friday, September 22, 2017- 11:59pm

Music Link (info only; your band director or I will help you find the actual music): https://www.ilmea.org/site_media/filer_public/2014/04/16/etude_set_-_cycle_2.pdf

Audition Fee: The Audition Fee is $13 per student

Audition Date and Site: Wednesday, October 4, 2017. Adlai E. Stevenson High School. 1 Stevenson Drive. Lincolnshire, Illinois

Senior Band (Wind/Percussion) Audition Procedures are located; https://www.ilmea.org/divisions/band/wind-and-percussion-procedures/

Participation fee: $20 will be billed (probably to the student's school) for every student selected for inclusion in the District 7 Senior Band.

**Senior Jazz Band**

Student RNS entry Deadline: Friday, September 22, 2017- 11:59pm

Music Link (info only; your band director or I will help you find the actual music): https://www.ilmea.org/site_media/filer_public/2017/05/19/2017_d7_jazz_audition_process_-_clarified.pdf

Audition Fee: The Audition Fee is $13 per student

Audition Date and Site: Wednesday, October 4, 2017. Adlai E. Stevenson High School. 1 Stevenson Drive. Lincolnshire, Illinois

Senior Jazz Band Audition Procedures are located here

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Tuesday, April 11, 2017 | Uncategorized

I'm excited for the 2017 All Brass Boot Camp (ABBC) in June!  It's just around the corner! My hope is that the ABBC is helpful to any brass student that wants an extra 'push' in their playing, especially over summer. Space is limited, so please let me know soon if you'd like to apply.

With both middle school and high school sessions, the All Brass Boot Camp (ABBC) is a chance for brass students from area schools to keep the horn 'on the face' during summer, as well as focus on sound, breathing, intonation, and sight reading. There are both middle school and separate high school sessions. The time commitment is two hours per morning for six days straight (June 19th - 24th). If students aren't able to make all 6 sessions, that's ok! As long as they can make most sessions the ABBC should be helpful. Also, there is a short concert at the end of the camp where the students get to show off their sounds! I attached the ABBC brochure, so please pass it on to any you feel could benefit, like band directors, and students/parents you feel may benefit. Also attached is my bio.

Here is a link to the website for more information and registration;

Click HERE for more information and application to the All Brass Boot Camp

Should you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you and I hope you can join the fun!

Paul Hefner

847-404-7921

http://allbrass.mymusicstaff.com

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Tuesday, January 24, 2017 | Uncategorized

Here's another opportunity for help on solo/ensemble pieces. Date is February 20th at Lake Forest College.

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Friday, December 30, 2016 | Uncategorized

Quintet Primo!

I'm so proud of how well Quintet Primo! performed Christmas weekend! Congrats on fine performances and filling the house both times! Many patrons came to me after the performance and said how much they enjoyed hearing you.  I hope we can do this again sometime soon!

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Monday, December 26, 2016 | Uncategorized

What a privilege playing at St. Paul's with these fine musicians; friends and past student!

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Sunday, December 18, 2016 | Uncategorized

Thank you to our CLF decorators that make the Antioch studio beautiful and warm for the holidays!

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Sunday, December 4, 2016 | Uncategorized

Hi everyone!

I'm excited to be conducting Antioch's Tuba Christmas again this year! It's on Sunday, December 18th. Ms. Arlona is doing a fantastic job of organizing and setting up all the logistics. Remember, this is also open to euphonium and baritone players as well!

Sign up is Sunday, December 18th at 2:30pm, and rehearsal is 3:00pm - 5:30pm. Rehearsal is at the Antioch Township Building, 1625 N Deep Lake Rd, Lake Villa, IL  (same as last year). After rehearsal is a pasta dinner! Registration fee is $10, and that includes the pasta dinner. It is mandatory to attend rehearsal to perform in the concert.

The concert is FREE and open to the public. The performance will be at Faith Lutheran Church 24300 W Grass Lake Road, Antioch IL. (Same as last year). There will be a post concert reception with some of the best hot cocoa and cookies available in the in tuba world!

There is a free Tuba Christmas clinic for 5th-8th graders on Sunday, December 11th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. The location is at Antioch Township Building, 1625 N Deep Lake Rd, Lake Villa, IL (same as last year). I strongly recommend our 5th-8th grade tuba/euphonium brothers and sisters attend this. Also, older students are welcome to come and help play by example.

Tuba Christmas music books are available at Mad Plaid Music in Antioch (911 Main Street). See Ms. Trish at the store, and she will know exactly what you need! We will have books available at rehearsal, but please try to purchase your music ahead of time, and to have fun practicing. The cost of the small book is $20, and large print is $25.

Attached is the flyer. Feel free to hand out to friends, family, and anyone who enjoys Christmas music!

If you have any questions, let me know. You can also contact Ms. Arlona at SequoitTuba@gmail.com, or phone at 847-209-9121.

Thank you, and Merry Tuba Christmas!

Paul Hefner

847-404-7921

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Wednesday, November 2, 2016 | Uncategorized

Hi everyone!

Attached is the flyer for this year's annual "Giving Thanks Coffeehouse Jam!" If you are planning on performing, please let me know, so I can confirm our performer list.

This is not required recital, but I want to encourage all my students to play a little something and share your musical talent. So, if you weren't planning on performing but are open to the idea, please let me know. Also, let me know if any family and/or friends would like to perform. If you're not performing, please come anyway!

This will be our 3rd annual Giving Thanks Coffee House Jam! The "jam" is a relaxed and laid-back concert, open to the public. There will be food, beverages, and fun! The performers will be a mix of talented music students and professional musicians. The students will start at 7pm and finish by about 8:30pm. Then, the professionals will play until about 9pm or 9:30pm (depending on how much fun you're having!). We will have a sound system available to accompany vocalists and instrumentalists, a piano, and microphone. Of course, a capella is welcome too.

Volunteers are always needed to bring food, help decorate and tare down. This truly is an opportunity for the students and all of us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. As it is a small fundraiser, the Coffee House Jam gives all proceeds to an overseas mission. Admission to the 'jam' is free and there will be a donation jar out for anyone that feels led to give.

Thank you, and please let me know if you are performing and/or volunteering.

Paul Hefner

847-404-7921

http://allbrass.mymusicstaff.com/Home

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Saturday, October 8, 2016 | Uncategorized

Hi !

I attached the flyer for the FullScore gala concert. This should be a very entertaining evening and a great way to support a professional orchestra that's close to home! Please let me know if you're able to come.

Thanks, and I hope you have a GREAT holiday weekend!

Paul Hefner

847-404-7921

http://allbrass.mymusicstaff.com/Home

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