Auditions/Challenges
AUDITIONS
Overview
The primary purpose for auditions is to place students in an ensemble and on a part that best aligns with their skills and abilities.
Symphonic / Concert Band
Auditions for chair placement will be held during the 2nd and 3rd lesson cycles of the 1st quarter. Audition material will be given out in lessons, and will consist of the following:
Audition Lesson #1 - Sight-reading. Students will perform a series of standardized sight-reading exercises.
Audition Lesson #2 - Scales and Prepared Etudes. Students will perform as many of the major scales and the full range chromatic scale as they are able, as well as 2-3 short etudes selected by the directors. The etudes will be provided to the student at the sight-reading lesson, so that each student has the same amount of time to prepare.
Jazz Bands
Auditions for one of the two jazz bands and Night School typically take place during the second full week of school. Materials will be posted on the website and in Canvas in early August. Standard jazz band instrumentation includes Alto, Tenor, and Baritone Saxophones, Trombones, Trumpets, Piano, Bass, Drum Set, and Guitar. Clarinet, Flute, and Double Reed Players are encouraged to try out on sax if interested. We have many Flute and Clarinet players currently performing in our jazz bands. Euphonium players are also encouraged, as the school owns a couple of valve trombones that translate nicely into a jazz band setting. The auditions consist of the following:
EVERYONE BUT DRUMMERS SHOULD PREPARE THE FOLLOWING:
1) The mixolydian and dorian scales (the sheet may be used in audition)
2) Prepared tune (given by directors)
3) OPTIONAL (but recommended)- Perform a 12 bar improvised solo over concert Bb or F Blues changes with a pre-recorded rhythm section.
DRUMMERS:
1) Perform these drum styles with the given metronome markings:
Up-tempo Swing, q= 180
Bossa Nova, q= 120
Samba, q= 104
Funk Groove, q=96
2) Snare rhythms provided on sheet
3) OPTIONAL (but recommended)- perform a one-minute solo in style of their choice.
Night School
Night School instrumentation includes five horns (combination of trumpets, trombones, and saxes, based on level and numbers auditioning), two or three vocalists, guitar, piano, bass, and drums.
Instrumentalist auditions will happen during the first two weeks of school. Interested students will be asked to perform an excerpt (provided) from a tune that demonstrates proper style, technique, and musicianship. The materials will be posted in Canvas and on the band webpage in early August.
Vocalist auditions happen in late spring/summer, and are done either live or through video submission. Auditionees are asked to perform a song in the soul, funk, R & B, or pop genres that demonstrates appropriate style, pitch, timbre, and energy.
CHALLENGES
Some students may not end up in the band or chair that they desire. Challenges are a way for students to improve their seat. The process is as follows:
A student may challenge the player sitting one chair ahead of them. The challenge is made first by informing the person to challenged, then by informing one of the directors, and completing a challenge form (found on the bulletin board in the band room). The challenger is to select a piece of music from his/her folder, the challengee is to select a piece from his/her folder, and each is to give a copy of their piece to the other THE NEXT DAY after the challenge is made. Each student will then have three school days (after exchange of music) to prepare BOTH pieces of music. On the fourth school day after music is exchanged, both players will play for the directors. All challenges will include scales. Any student refusing to accept a challenge or not abiding by the challenge rules will automatically forfeit their chair position. The only exception is if a student is ill on the day of the challenge. A challenger losing a challenge may re-challenge, but must wait at least one week. Challenges may also occur between Concert and Symphonic Bands and Jazz I and Jazz II. The directors have the option of selecting another piece of music of their choosing, if they so desire. While a challenge may occur during the time immediately prior to a performance, a change of seating will not occur during the two week period before a performance.