Event Details

Please visit the DMC Music Department webpage for detailed First Chair Honor Band (FCHB) information.

2026 FIRST CHAIR HONOR BAND - January 30 & 31

The First Chair Honor Band focuses on artistic and musical excellence of the highest caliber. As such, JUNIORS and SENIORS from high schools all over South Texas are invited to apply for the two day intensive rehearsal and educational symposium that leads to a performance at  Richardson Performance Hall on the Del Mar College Heritage Campus. As it is our mission to provide you and your students with a positive, creative and motivational musical experience, the participation fee is $50 per student.

Participation in the FCHB is by band director recommendation. Each student who is recommended and accepted will be notified through their band director! Participation is limited to JUNIORS and SENIORS from each school. However, freshmen and sophomores who earned positions in the ATSSB/TMEA all-region or all-state bands are welcome to apply.

The participation fee will allow us to provide each student with the following items:

• Rehearsals and performance in Richardson Performance Hall
• Master class participation with DMC faculty and other professional studio musicians
• FCHB T-shirt
• Friday evening dinner unless you want to take your kids out on your own
• Saturday afternoon lunch for all participants and their directors

ADDED ATTRACTION: For convenience sake, we will also hold Music Scholarship Auditions for future music majors who would like to attend Del Mar College in the Fall, 2026!

FIRST CHAIR HONOR BAND DETAILS

You will receive an information packet via email after you have registered online. Questions about the honor band can be sent to Dr. Ramirez at the following email: aramirez136@delmar.edu.

I. CHECK-IN PROCEDURES:

Upon your arrival, you may find parking next to the Richardson Performance Hall (see map). Parking is free to the public and does not require a parking permit. Check-in will take place in the front lobby from 9:00–10:00AM in the Richardson Performance Hall. After check-in, we will escort you to the opening meeting.

II. MUSIC:

You must be registered to receive the information packet that contains the music. The packet includes a FIRST PART for each of the selections that the FCHB will rehearse. Please prepare each part to the best of your ability before your arrival.

What pieces will we play for the concert? We will decide on the final concert selections after we spend some time reading the pieces that are included as an attachment in the email that was sent out to you. The music selections include: TBA

III. ITINERARY

Printable Itinerary

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30

9:00–10:00 A.M. Registration: Richardson Performance Hall (RPH) Lobby

10:00–10:30 A.M. Opening Meeting in the RPH

10:30–11:30 A.M. Part assignment auditions in the Music Building (Please report to the

Richardson Performance Hall after your audition has concluded)

11:30–12:30 P.M. Rehearsal in the RPH

12:30–1:15 P.M. Lunch: We will provide pizza, soft drinks, and dessert! (Lunch is for all

students, teachers, directors, and parents who are present)

1:15-3:15–P.M. Rehearsal in the RPH

3:15-3:30–P.M. BREAK

3:30–5:30 Rehearsal in the RPH

5:30 P.M. END OF FIRST DAY!!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31

9:00–12:00 P.M. Rehearsal in the RPH (breaks are taken as needed)

12:00–12:45 P.M. Lunch: We will provide lunch. (Lunch is provided for all students, teachers,

directors, and parents who are present)

12:45–3:30 FINAL REHEARSAL (breaks taken as needed and snacks will be provided)

3:30–4:00 Break and Get Dressed for Concert

4:00 CONCERT BEGINS! (The concert is free to the public!)

IV. CONCERT ATTIRE: FORMAL BLACK FOR ALL

MALES: Tuxes, if possible. If not, then white shirt with dark ties, black socks, and shoes.

FEMALES: Long black concert dresses or slacks and black (dark) blouse. No short skirts or

open toe shoes permitted.

V. FINAL CONCERT

The FCHB concert will take place in the Richardson Performance Hall at 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The concert is free to the public.

• LUNCH: Pizza, soft drinks, and dessert will be provided on Friday and Saturday for members of the FCHB. All teachers, directors, and parents who are present, are welcome to join us.
• SNACKS: Students are welcome to provide their own snacks. Additional snacks such as chips, candy, and fruit bars will be available throughout the day at no cost.
• BOTTLED WATER: Students are encouraged to bring their own bottled water. However, we will provide water throughout the day. Soft drinks are not allowed on stage at any time.
• CONTACT NUMBERS: DMC Music Department 361-698-1211 (Yvonne Rodriguez, Secretary) FCHB Coordinator: 361-774-7210 (cell) Dr. Abel Ramirez DMC Police Department 361-698-1199 (Main Number) Richardson Performance Hall 361-698-2228 (Shaun Meredith, Manager)

Again, congratulations on your acceptance to the 2026 DMC FIRST CHAIR HONOR BAND. We look forward to making great music with you in January!

Dr. Abel Ramirez
aramirez136@delmar.edu
FCHB, Coordinator
DMC Wind Ensemble, Conductor 361-774-7210 (cell)