FESTIVALBAND

$75/month

Payment plans available.

View audition requirements

FESTIVAL BAND is an honors rock, pop, and blues music performance program for ages 12-19 that plays at statewide festivals and events from May to September.

Students are selected through an audition process and are held to a higher standard because they act as representatives of the program in professional performance settings.

Monthly payment plans and scholarships available.

    1. Must be enrolled in at least one of our summer camps

    2. Demonstrate high level of proficiency on chosen instrument during audition

    3. Must be available to attend most rehearsals and performances (a couple absences are excusable)

    4. Must be between ages 12 and 19

  • Every student interested in participating will sign up for a 30 minute audition slot where they will demonstrate proficiency on their chosen instrument and overall music knowledge.

    Within a week after the audition AMP will notify the students and let them know whether or not they were accepted into the program.

    Those who were accepted will rehearse once a week on songs chosen by themselves and instructors to perform at festivals and other events throughout the summer.

    Performances will be booked throughout the program and information about them will be given to participants as they come

  • This program is designed to augment and amplify the experience of individual instruction, but cannot replace the indivual attention to skill-buidling that would be provided by a private teacher. Because of this, students need to have private lessons, whether through AMP or with a private teacher. What this program provides is valuable insight in the skills needed to play with other musicians, and essential motivation to power the process of personal practice.

  • Each group has a maximum of the following spots:

    • 2 vocalists/group

    • 2 guitarists/group

    • 1 bassist/group

    • 1 drummer/group

    • 1 keyboardist/group

    We will cast bands based on demand. We may only cast a single festival band, or may open up spots for two bands if we have enough qualified players audition.

  • All performances are still pending approval by festivals, and more will be added over the season. Dates of performances will be communicated at least 2 weeks ahead of performance date.

Ages 12-19

Audition Details:

Auditions taking place on Saturday April 25th from 10-2pm

Each student should come prepared to play/sing “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind and a song of their choice in addition to more instrument-specific things such as the following:

These core skills below will be evaluated during auditions. Students are not expected to be perfect in every area, but should demonstrate fundamental ability, musical awareness, and a willingness to learn.

Across all instruments, instructors will consider:

  • Timing and rhythmic consistency

  • Fundamental technique

  • Musical awareness and listening skills

  • Ability to follow direction and adaptInstrument

The exact expectations by instrument are listed in the accordion display below.

Saturdays 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
May 9 - September 26, 2026

Price: $75/month ($375 total)

Schedule:

Rehearsals run weekly on the schedule stated above with the performances being scheduled as they get booked through the season

Locations:

  • All rehearsals held at the SLC AMP location:
    (1192 Wilmington Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84106)

  • Show locations will vary and will be sent out as soon as they are booked

  • Rhythm

    • Listen to a metronome-guided rhythm and accurately reproduce it in time.

    Groove Styles

    • Perform basic grooves in the following styles:

      • Rock

      • Funk

      • Shuffle

    Time Signatures

    • Identify the time signature of a given piece of music

    Rudiments

    • Demonstrate control and consistency with:

      • Single stroke roll

      • Double stroke roll

      • Paradiddles

      • Flams

      • Buzz roll

  • Rhythm

    • Perform a strumming pattern in time with a metronome

    Fretboard Knowledge

    • Demonstrate familiarity with basic chords and note locations on the instrument

    Scales

    • Play the following scales:

      • Major

      • Minor

      • Minor pentatonic

    Ear Training

    • Listen to and accurately reproduce a short riff

  • Rhythm

    • Perform a steady bass line in time with a metronome

    Fretboard Knowledge

    • Demonstrate knowledge of note locations on the bass

    Scales

    • Play major and minor scales ascending and descending

    Technique

    • Show proper hand positioning, articulation, and tone control

  • Scales

    • Sing major and minor scales (with piano assistance)

    Pitch Matching

    • Accurately repeat short note patterns

    Harmony

    • Identify and perform a harmony part within a song

  • Item Keyboardists

    Scales

    • Play major and minor scales ascending and descending

    Chords

    • Demonstrate major and minor chords

    Rhythm

    • Perform a simple chord progression using a variety of rhythmic patterns

Sign up for an audition