NEWS

THERE IS ONLY ONE MAJOR REHEARSAL PERIOD FOR THE CENTENNIAL BAND IN 2006.

This is a band camp at the University of Oklahoma, July 24-28, 2006

The First performance is Saturday, September 16, 2006 at OCU.

Second performance is in Tulsa, Oklahoma tentatively set for Saturday, November 10.

There will be a rehearsal to prepare for the trip to the Rose Parade on Saturday, December 16, 2006.

The trip to Southern California is from December 28, 2006 - January 2, 2007.

No rehearsals or performances will be scheduled on Friday nights during the marching band season. Other than Saturday, Sept 16, when the Rose Bowl committee is flying in to approve the band's performance for the Rose Parade, no performances will be scheduled to interfere with OBA marching band competitions.

This schedule is designed to provide little or no distraction to each school's band program while providing each school's best students with the opportunity to grow as musicians while serving as musical ambassadors for the state of Oklahoma.

In addition, the band staff from Disney has designed this program so that these young people will go back to their home school better musicians, with a greater understanding of how music touches the lives of others and even more excited about their own school's band program.

This same schedule will approximate itself in 2007 with the exception of the Tournament of Roses performance.

CENTENNIAL BAND SELECTED TO PERFORM IN 2007 TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE!

Paul Holman, President of the Tournament of Roses Parade announced that the State of Oklahoma will be represented in the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade with two floats and a 150 member All*Star Centennial Band.

Plans are for the band to participate in the opening ceremonies as well to be the first marching band to lead the parade on January 1, 2007.

Members of this elite band will be chosen by audition in the spring of 2006. Once selected, they will perform at variety of performances throughout the state including spending a week in the Los Angeles area, with all expenses paid.

“We are looking for the best and the brightest outstanding high school musicians to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, said Charles Jones II, producer of this project. We encourage all eligible musicians in the State of Oklahoma to audition beginning in April 2006.”

AUDITION DATES AND LOCATIONS SET

Charles Jones II, the producer for the Oklahoma Centennial All *Star Band announced the following audition dates and locations:

First Round of Auditions

SATURDAY APRIL 22, 2006

University of Oklahoma Campus
Catlett Music Center
500 West Boyd
Room #124
Norman, Ok 73019

Audition Hours- 9am to 5pm
Lunch break taken from 11:30-1:00pm

SUNDAY APRIL 23, 2006

Woodward High School
13th and Downs Avenue
Woodward, OK 73801

Audition Hours 1pm-5pm

SATURDAY APRIL 29th, 2006

Oral Roberts University
Timko Barton Building Rm #1
7777 South Lewis Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74171

Audition Hours 9:00am to 5:00pm
Lunch Break 11:30-1:00pm

Eligible musicians may choose which audition they would like to attend. Once they have completed their application form and obtained their letters of reference, they may sign-up for a spot on the audition roster.

Students who pass the first level of auditions at one of the locations listed above will be assigned an audition time for the final auditions on Saturday, May 13, 2006, at Oklahoma City University, in Oklahoma City.

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO MUSICIANS SELECTED FOR CENTENNIAL BAND

Two universities in Oklahoma have announced that they will award a scholarship to every outstanding musician selected to be part of the Oklahoma All*Star Centennial Band.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford will give every student a minimum amount of $500.00, with an increase in the amount as talent and need come together.Southern Nazarene University has announced that they will award a $1,000.00 scholarship to every musician who attends their university with an opportunity for additional scholarship fundsupon further evaluation of their talent and need.

Charles Jones II, producer for the Centennial All*Star Band said, “Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Southern Nazarene University are both aware of the outstanding talent found in our state. Coming forward prior to the completion of the audition process speaks well to the leadership of these fine institutions.”

CENTENNIAL COMMISSION CREATES ALL STAR CENTENNIAL BAND!!!

As Oklahoma’s Centennial Commission looks to the future it creates a terrific program for outstanding high school musicians to serve as musical ambassadors for the State.

Produced by Charles Jones II, a native Oklahoman, this unique group will perform at many significant and yet unannounced events to promote Oklahoma’s first 100 years.

Eligible high school musicians will be enrolled in the 9th, 10th or 11th grade in April 2006. Audition information is available here.

To promote the event, special clinics for eligible musicians will be held across the state. During these clinics, young musicians will not only learn about how they can best prepare for the rigorous auditions, but have the opportunity to lay down a musical track creating a musical video of the sights and sounds of Oklahoma.

Interested schools should contact Oklahoma Centennial Band offices by calling 800-914-1002 or through e-mail at Info@OKCentennialBand.com.

This once in a life-time experience for high school musicians is just one project the Oklahoma Centennial Commission is sponsoring to celebrate Oklahoma’s first 100 years!

The Oklahoma Centennial Band is produced in part by Fresh Ideas Entertainment.

Take a moment to visit their unique site.