Wind and Jazz Ensembles
Audition Info
Wind Ensemble Audition 2024
Each instrument's audition has three parts:
Part 1: Chromatic Scale
Part 2: *Concert* Ab, Db, C, G major scales (2+ octaves preferred)
Part 3: Etude
You may either turn in one continuous recording with a slight break between the three parts OR you may turn in three separate recordings. The order in which you play the two excerpts does not matter.
*NOTE FOR PERCUSSIONISTS: You may choose either the keyboard or snare etude. However, submitting both etudes will greatly increase your chances of acceptance. For your snare etude, you may play it on a snare drum, practice pad, table top or other drum that you have. For your chromatic and major scales, you may use bell kit, piano, keyboard, or other mallet instrument if available. Communicate with Mr. McCurdy if you do not have access and an alternate test will be provided.
Instructions for submitting your Wind Ensemble audition:
1. Prepare your audition to the best of your ability. You may play the etude as fast or as slow as you'd like. The goal is to play musically, in time, and get as far as you can. The further down the page you are able to play, the better your chances of acceptance. Slow, clean, and musical is preferred to "getting through it."
2. When you feel prepared, record video of yourself playing your audition. Video is required unless you communicate with Mr. McCurdy that you do not have the ability to record video.
3. While you may record multiple takes on your own, please only submit one video per musical excerpt (ex. 1 chromatic scale, etude video).
4. The video submission for each part of the audition must be one continuous video without breaks or splicing.
5. Start your recording device and say:
○ Your full name
○ Your school and grade level in fall 2024
6. When you are happy with your recording, submit it in the audition Google form: https://forms.gle/RyQ2R8RYmSzgRuyo9
7. Audition submissions are due Sunday, May 19th.
Jazz Ensemble/Jazz II Audition 2024
Each instrument's audition has two parts:
Part 1: Chromatic Scale
Part 2: Lead Sheet
You may either turn in one continuous recording with a slight break between the two parts OR you may turn in two separate recordings. The order in which you play the two excerpts does not matter.
Materials:
1. Find your instrument's chart linked above. There is a backing track and additional resources provided as well.
2. There are specific instructions for part 2 on each of your charts. Please follow them accordingly.
3. Remember to record yourself playing along to a backing track.
*NOTES FOR PERCUSSIONISTS: I understand if the backing track is covered up while you are playing. Chromatic scale may be performed on bell kit, piano, keyboard, or other mallet instrument if available. Communicate with Mr. McCurdy if you do not have access and an alternate test will be provided.
Instructions for submitting your Jazz Ensemble audition:
1. Prepare Part 1 & 2 of your audition to the best of your ability. There is no sight reading or major scales in this year's audition–just chromatic scale and a chart.
2. A backing track is provided for you to use. Play the backing track through speakers while recording your audition so that it is also audible.
3.When you feel prepared, record video of yourself playing your audition. Video is required unless you communicate with Mr. McCurdy that you do not have the ability to record video.
3. While you may record multiple takes on your own, please only submit one video per musical excerpt (ex. 1 chromatic scale, 1 Au Privave).
4. The video submission for each part of the audition must be one continuous video without breaks or splicing.
5. Start your recording device and say:
○ Your full name
○ Your school and grade level in fall 2024
6. When you are happy with your recording, submit it in the audition Google form: https://forms.gle/jdZ6v9sNL9g4Ujzf7
7. Audition submissions are due Sunday, May 19th.
BEST PRACTICES FOR HOME AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDING:
Below are some suggestions for creating the best possible video of your performance. These are just tips and suggestions. Everyone’s situation will be different and you will not be awarded nor penalized based on recording quality. Do the best you can with the resources you have.
Choosing a location for recording:
● Use a large enough room so that you can place a microphone where someone would be sitting if this were a recital.
● A large living room would be fine. Ideally, you want a room with a little higher ceilings and not too many reflective or hard surfaces.
● Choose a clean, uncluttered space for your video recording.
● Lighting is also a key component to video recording. Natural light is best. If you have no natural light in your recording space, think about positioning the light so that it shines from the camera at you. You do not want to have light shining at the camera from behind you—do not record in front of a window.
Recording device placement:
● Experiment with the location of your video recording device. Make sure you place it in a way that we can see you, not just your music stand. Do some practice recording from a couple of angles and distances so you can see and hear the effects on your recording. Ideally, your recording device would be at about chest height or a little higher and you would be visible from at least the waist up - but full height recordings would be excellent.