Encore Youth Programs

YOUTH BIG BAND

Youth Big Band is a year-long, honor band style program designed for students grades 8-12 to receive an advanced jazz performance experience in both big band and combo settings. Youth Big Band rehearses weekly with Grammy-Nominated Educator and Conductor, Dr. Michael Antmann. Students perform multiple concerts throughout the season and gain exposure to unique experiences that include working with guest clinicians, performing with notable jazz professionals, and preferred admission into Encore Youth Program’s summer workshops. Encore Youth Programs alumni have gone on to study music at prominent music schools, including Florida State University. 

YOUTH WIND ENSEMBLE

Youth Wind Ensemble is a spring semester, honor band style program designed for students in grades 8-12 to receive an advanced wind band performance experience. Youth Wind Ensemble rehearses weekly with the program’s conductor. Students perform multiple concerts at notable performance venues throughout the season, while also offering unique musical experiences. These experiences include guest clinicians, masterclasses with professional musicians for each instrument in the ensemble, notable guest performers, and training in chamber music.

NOW OPEN: YOUTH BIG BAND AUDITIONS

Auditions are now open for Central Florida students in grades 8-12 for the 2026-2027 school year. See below for additional audition information and requirements.

Audition Information:

• Youth Big Band auditions are open to Central Florida students in grades 8-12 for the 2026-2027 school year.

• All auditions will take place in person in the band room at Freedom High School (2500 W. Taft Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32837).

• All auditions will take place on Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm ET.

• Please register for an audition time slot in advance. Auditions will last approximately 15 minutes to include time for setup, improv, and sightreading. Walk-ins will be considered as space is available.

• Youth Big Band Instruments: Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bari Saxophone, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Trumpet, Guitar, Drum Set, Piano, Bass

Audition Requirements by Instrument:

• Winds (Saxophone, Trumpet, and Trombone)

  • Perform the first 32 measures of the audition etude with the provided accompaniment track.

  • Optional: Improvise over the following chorus of Bb Rhythm Changes.

  • Students may substitute the provided etude with the FBA All-State Swing Etude.

• Guitar, Bass, and Piano

  • Perform the first 32 measures of the audition etude (Bb Rhythm Changes).

  • Comp (guitar/piano) or walk (bass) through the next chorus.

  • Optional: Improvise over the following chorus.

• Drums

  • Perform the complete audition etude, then demonstrate:

    • Swing (36-bar blues, Tempo = 120)

    • 12 bars time/comping

    • 12-bar solo

    • 12 bars time/comping

    • Jazz Funk/Rock: 16 bars (Tempo = 92)

    • Samba: 16 bars (Half Note Tempo = 108)

• Sight Reading

  • All auditions include a sight-reading component.

DR. MICHAEL ANTMANN - 2026/2027 YOUTH BIG BAND DIRECTOR

Michael Antmann is in his 26th year as a music educator and his 11th year as Director of Bands at Freedom High School in Orlando, Florida. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music education from Florida State University and a Doctor of Education from the University of Central Florida. His previous positions include Music Resource Teacher for Orange County Public Schools and band director at Bridgewater Middle School (Winter Garden) and Swift Creek Middle School (Tallahassee).

Ensembles under Dr. Antmann’s direction have earned invitations to perform at prestigious events, including the UGA Middle School Band Festival (2004), CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference (2006, 2024), UCF Music for All Regional Concert Band Festival (2019, 2022), and the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Conference (2011, 2014, 2022).

His honors include five Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, the Florida Bandmasters Association “Tom Bishop Award,” the “Oliver Hobbs Award,” OCPS/Kessler Grand Bohemian Excellence in Teaching Fine Arts Award, and Teacher of the Year. He was a national semi-finalist for the 2019, 2020, and 2025 Grammy Music Educator Awards and was recently named one of the CMA Foundation’s “Music Teachers of Excellence.”

Dr. Antmann is an active member of FMEA, FBA, ASBDA, and NBA, and currently serves as president-elect of the Florida Bandmasters Association. He is co-founder and instructor of the Florida Band Director Workshop in Titusville—an intensive, interactive clinic focused on conceptual teaching and band pedagogy. He remains in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout Florida.