Great Bridge Middle School Bands

Welcome!

We are proud to offer a vibrant and engaging band program where students develop their musical skills, build lifelong friendships, and experience the joy of making music together. Whether you’re a student, parent, or guest, this site is your one-stop hub for everything band — from calendars and forms to news, media, and resources. Together, we’re building a community that celebrates growth, teamwork, and excellence in music. We’re so glad you’re here!

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Announcements and Upcoming Events

8th Grade Parade Information

Chesapeake Christmas Parade 2025 ITINERARY

Here is the itinerary for our performance along with the GBHS Marching Wildcats in the Chesapeake Christmas Parade this Saturday, December 6.

3:30 PM Meet at GBMS by 3:30 PM. Please be on time. There may be a lot of traffic around our school. Please enter at the parent drop-off by the band room.

Our uniform is your Band Merch Top, jeans, and tennis shoes. Please dress for the weather. You will be outside for a long time. Dress in layers under your sweatshirt. Santa hats, festive scarves, etc. are allowed!
Please eat before you arrive. We will have pizza after our rehearsal, but you may also bring a snack to eat during this time. Your next opportunity to eat will be after the parade.

3:45 PM Rehearsal: 3:45-4:30 PM we will rehearse with the high school band. After rehearsal, we will have a short break to use the restroom, eat a snack (if you brought one), and get ready to line up for the parade.

5:00 PM Move to the parade staging area. We will stay inside as long as possible. Once we move to the staging area, there will be no more opportunities for restroom or snack breaks.

6:00 PM Parade begins

9:30 PM Estimated return time to GBMS

PARENTS: You will be dropping your child off and picking them back up at GBMS. The parade runs from behind GBMS, west on Mt. Pleasant Road, north on Battlefield Blvd., then west on Cedar Road, ending at the Chesapeake Municipal Center. We will board buses at the end of the parade route, which will return us to the middle school.

In case of rain: If the forecast calls for significant rain, we will likely cancel our participation in the parade. The high school band is equipped to deal with rain, but we are not. If we must cancel, we will email parents through Synergy.

District Band Audition Information

All-District Audition Information

All-District Band auditions are Saturday, December 13 at Hickory Middle School. Your registration times are included in this packet. Good Luck!

Hickory Middle School

1997 Hawk Blvd.

Chesapeake, VA 23322

"Tips" for a successful audition:

1. Arrive early . . . not too early, just give yourself enough time to not be rushed! Check-in will end 30 minutes after the start of your audition time window.

2. Entering . . . Enter through the main entrance. Follow signs to registration in the Cafeteria. Find the registration line for your instrument. Note: You are auditioning for MIDDLE SCHOOL band . . . don't get in the High School line.

3. When you register, tell them your NAME, INSTRUMENT, and SCHOOL example: "John Smith, Middle School Clarinet, Great Bridge Middle" TRY NOT TO BE THE 1ST TO REGISTER.

4. They will give you a sticker with your audition number. DON'T FORGET YOUR NUMBER!!!

5. Go to the auditorium to wait for your turn to audition. (Parents may also wait there.) Leave your instrument in the case. Do not play your instrument in the waiting area. Do not risk being disqualified (even if students from other schools are playing). No food or drink in the auditorium, and you can’t wander the hallways.

6. Listen for your number to be called (e.g. Middle School Flutes 1 - 10). Put your instrument together and go with the guide to the warm-up room. Only take your prepared piece, leave your binder behind.

7. In the warm-up room: warm-up carefully. Don't pay attention to others who may sound like they play better. What you play in the audition room is what counts. Put some spare reeds, valve oil, etc, in your pocket in case of emergency. LISTEN for your number to go to the audition room.

8. When your number is called, go with your guide to the audition room. DO NOT TALK IN THE AUDITION ROOM. If you have a question or problem, whisper to the guide and they will talk to the judges for you.

9. Follow the judges' instructions. They will ask for 2 scales (one scale at a time from memory, they will say YOUR FIRST NOTE, NOTE CONCERT PITCH), your chromatic scale (memorized), your prepared piece (not memorized) and sight-reading. For some, you may have to go to a different room for part of your audition. DON’T GET OUT OF ORDER WHILE BETWEEN ROOMS!

10. Once you have finished, you are free to go home.

11. The results will not be available until Monday. I should have them for you when you come to school. GOOD LUCK!!!

PERCUSSION: Timpani and xylophone will be provided. Students auditioning on timpani and xylophone must bring their own mallets. Snare drums must be furnished by the student and set-up on a stand before entering the audition room.

Percussion auditions will likely take place in two rooms: DON’T GET OUT OF ORDER BETWEEN ROOMS!

Timpani auditions will be in a separate room.

2025 Middle School Band Auditions Registration Schedule

Times are listed by the first letter of your last name.
Each registration time will be open for 30 minutes.
You must remain in designated waiting areas until your audition number is called. Leaving the premises will result in disqualification.

Flute

A-G