Encore Youth Programs: Youth Big Band

Encore! Performing Arts is excited to announce a new performance opportunity for students through Encore Youth Programs: Youth Big Band! Encore Youth Programs empowers young musicians to achieve excellence and inspire their communities through a shared love of music.

Are you interested in auditioning for a spot with Youth Big Band? Virtual live auditions are open for Central Florida students in grades 8-12 for the 2024-2025 school year. See below for additional audition info and requirements.

Youth Big Band Audition Requirements:

• Auditions are open to Central Florida students in grades 8-12 for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Live virtual auditions are available for the following instruments ONLY: Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Bass, and Guitar.

• Requirements Per Instrument:

  • Bass/Guitar:

    • Head of a jazz or bebop standard

    • Comping/walking in a 12-bar blues (either Bb or F)

    • Improvise over that 12-bar blues progression

    • Perform 3 Major Scales of your choice

  • Piano

    • Head of a jazz or bebop standard

    • Comping in a 12-bar blues (either Bb or F)

    • Improvise over that 12-bar blues progression

    • Perform 3 Major Scales of your choice

  • Horns (Trombone/Trumpet):

    • Head of a jazz or bebop standard

    • Improvisation over a 12-bar blues (either Bb or F)

    • Perform 3 Major Scales of your choice

    • There will be a sightreading exercise (music will be provided)

• Email Encore at auditions@encorecentral.org to make an appointment that works with your schedule to audition virtually for Youth Big Band.

Audition Information:

Email Encore at auditions@encorecentral.org to make an appointment that works with your schedule to audition virtually for Youth Big Band.

Encore welcomes and encourages all gender identities/expressions, body types, disabilities, and races/cultural backgrounds to audition.

Important Information:

• Membership into one of the Encore Youth Programs is by invitation only, following competitive entrance auditions. Participation in an Encore Youth Program opportunity requires a substantial commitment to weekly rehearsals, practice hours, and concert performances.

• If selected, there is a $300 membership cost associated with participating in Youth Big Band. Payment options are available. No qualifying student will be turned away from Encore Youth Programs because of an inability to pay tuition. Encore Youth Programs strives to provide scholarships and Tuition Financial Aid for musicians whose families demonstrate need. Please contact the Encore Performing Arts staff at EYP@encorecentral.org to request a Financial Aid Application.

• The inaugural season of Youth Big Band will be under the direction of Dr. Michael Antmann. See below for more information about Dr. Antmann.

• Rehearsals: The first rehearsal and information session will be on 9/08/2024. All Youth Big Band rehearsals will take place on Sundays from 1:30-4:30pm ET at Freedom High School. The full rehearsal schedule will be provided at that time.

• Performance will take place at prominent venues in the Orlando area. Performance information will be provided as soon as it is available.

• Please note you must be a Central Florida student in grades 8-12 during the 2024-2025 school year to be considered for Youth Big Band.

Have more questions about auditions?

Email our auditions coordinator at auditions@encorecentral.org.

Have more questions about Encore Youth Programs or Youth Big Band?

Email us at EYP@encorecentral.org.

DR. MICHAEL ANTMANN - 24/25 YOUTH BIG BAND SEASON CONDUCTOR

Michael Antmann is in his 24th year as a music educator, and his ninth as band director at Freedom High School. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Florida State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to his current position, he served as the Music Resource Teacher for Orange County Public Schools, and as band director at Bridgewater Middle School in Winter Garden, Florida, and Swift Creek Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida.

Ensembles under Dr. Antmann’s direction have earned performance invitations including the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival (2004), the CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference (2006, 2024), the UCF Music for All Regional Concert Band Festival (2019, 2022), and the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) conference (2011, 2014, 2022). He has been awarded five Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, the FBA “Tom Bishop Award”, the “Oliver Hobbs Award,” Teacher of the Year, and the 2010 and 2018 OCPS/Kessler Grand Bohemian Excellence in Teaching Fine Arts Awards. He was also a national semi-finalist for the 2019 and 2020 Grammy Music Educator Awards.

Dr. Antmann is an active member of both FMEA and the Florida Bandmasters Association, serving in multiple leadership roles. He is an instructor at and co-founder of the Florida Band Director Workshop in Titusville, which is an intensive and interactive workshop focused on conceptual teaching and band pedagogy. He is active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, and has presented sessions at state and national conferences.