<p>We noticed there is now "All-National" band, similar to All-State and All-Eastern. Does anyone know how competitive it is? You send in a recording of music they specify, and its not as challenging as you would expect. It is 4-5 days long in DC and cost $800. My guess it is it more difficult to make it into some All-States than to get into this, but I'd love to hear from someone who participated last last (the first year they had it).</p>
<p>Two students from our high school participated last June and had a very positive experience. If you are close to the DC area, it is certainly worth auditioning. </p>
<p>I noticed the website also references the US Army All American Marching Band, and MENC arranges all of the music staff for that production. If the faculty for this new national program is anything like the USAAAMB faculty, students will have excellent instruction.</p>
<p>Hello, I saw this post as I am considering applying for this, so if anyone has any information about this, could you let me know? Thanks!</p>
<p>My son and I just came back from this and it was awesome!. All of the instructors were top notch and the the 300 musicians were very high level. There were four groups, jazz band, jazz concert band, concert choir and orchestra. My son was in the orchestra and all of the musicians were amazing. They were definitely the best of the best. the kids were from all over the US and the that made the experience even more interesting. The concert at the Kennedy Center was successful with all four groups receiving standing ovations. The schedule was grueling, with 6AM wakeup call, mostly 11PM checkin time. The bus rides to different places were sometimes long. The meals were decent but simple as expected. All in all it was wonderful.</p>
<p>Yeah it really was a lot of fun! There was so much more chill time and fun activities compared to regionals and all-state, however</p>
<p>Which is a great thing!</p>