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CUSD HONOR BAND & ORCHESTRA INFORMATION

Performance at the Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

2024-25 REHEARSAL AND CONCERT SCHEDULE

??? ---- Rehearsals at Capistrano Valley High School from 6-8 PM at 26301 Via Escolar Mission Viejo. Attendance at all rehearsals is required.

3/4 ---- Concert is at the Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Times, ticket information & rehearsal/concert details will be passed out at one of your earlier rehearsals. There will be a brief, no audience dress rehearsal that afternoon, and the concert starts at 7pm.

AUDITON REQUIRED MUSIC (Scales & Song)

Must use your @capostu.org email to view & print at ???

AUDITON MUSIC RECORDINGS (Song)

• • Band - ???

  • Orchestra - ???

AUDITON SUBMISSION INFORMATION (Use this link to tryout)

LINK FOR SUBMITTING VIDEO & Information from the District CLICK HERE (link coming soon)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AUDITION PROCESS

1) When & where are the auditions? Information will be given by your teacher. The auditions are a google video submission through a District Google Form.

2) What are the audition day logistics? Students will record themselves playing the scales and song(s) and will put the video files into their google drive. Then the folder will be shared to a Google Survey/Form issued from CUSD.

3) Who are the audition judges? The audition judges are made up of teachers & professionals in the area that have volunteered their time to listen to the students. Usually there is one or 2 judges for each instrument.

4) Does the audition music need to be played from memory? Students do not need to memorize any of the music and they should bring and use their music for all aspects of the audition. If they are able to play/sing it memorized, make sure to use your music regardless. Students have a tendency to forget things when they are nervous so the music should be there just in case. Even when the student has it memorized but has their music out, the audition judges can tell that they are playing/singing by memory.

5) Do the students need to play the exact music sheet that they were given by their music teacher or is it OK to improvise or choose your own song? The audition judges will be looking for the students to play exactly what is written because they need to know exactly what music skills students have compared to each other. The music chosen for the audition has key elements that they will be looking for.

6) The audition scales say that you have to have a minimum of quarter note = 120, how should you practice it when this is too fast to be played correctly now? Start practicing it at a comfortable, slow & even speed. Then, using a metronome, speed it up slowly (one notch at a time or 4 numbers at a time) to a few clicks/8 numbers higher than the desired speed. This will make it much easier and more comfortable at the desired speed! (Slower & accurate is much better than fast & sloppy.) Do not play it faster than 120. They want to hear it at that exact tempo. If you need to play it slower, that's OK too. Just make sure it is accurate regardless of the tempo!

7) Any ideas to help students practice/learn the audition or rehearsal music? Private teachers or the Musical Mentor program on Thursdays at CVHS (4-5:30) are able to offer one-on-one help, but we will be learning both of the pieces and scales during class with all the students so that they can feel comfortable. All students will be playing/singing these songs in class almost everyday for about 3 weeks prior to the audition and all students will be tested on these songs as a playing/singing test! Also read the "How to Properly Practice" on the home page. Any student wishing to get extra help may make arrangements with the teachers too.

8) What are the audition protocols the students &/or parents need to know? Wear nice clothes (something you would wear in a nice picture), be presentable, and just play/sing the best that he/she can! (Usually it's pretty common for students to be nervous and he/she should do just fine! The more prepared, usually the less nervous.)

9) When given the option to play/sing an upper or lower part, usually one is more difficult than the other. Which one should he/she choose? They are looking for the strongest players, whether it's a high or low part. The more difficult part may get a higher chair but if the student doesn't know how to play the harder part, they shouldn't attempt it at an audition! The audition judges are just trying to see where everyone is at! Always remember that something played accurately is better than trying to attempt to play something that is not that well learned. Students should try to do what's comfortable over trying to attempt everything. Kids have a tendency to get fairly nervous when trying to do too many new things at once!

10) When will I find out if I have been accepted to play in the Honor Group? Wednesday, January 11. A list will be posted after school on the music room door.

11) Should I audition if I am not sure that I can make every rehearsal? No. Only those students that are committed to attending each and every rehearsal should audition. Please check your calendars ahead of time!

Any Additional Questions or Concerns, please email the Band or Orchestra Managers

Band - Mrs. Ashley Stevens at aestevens@capousd.org

Orchestra - Dr. Richard Perez at raperez@capousd.org

Congrats to all our Music Panther's who made the CUSD HONOR groups!

If you made the honor group, you need to read the acceptance letter and fill out a Google Form no later than Dec. ??. Email your music teacher if you need another copy of the acceptance form.

BRING A PENCIL & BOTTLE WATER TO ALL REHEARSALS

SONG RECORDINGS OF THE CONCERT MUSIC 2025

Middle School Honor Band (Click on Title for Recordings) - 

Middle School Honor Orchestra - 

Middle School Honor Orchestra Practice Files - 

BAND MUSIC TO PRINT 2025 - Must be logged into your "@capousd.org" email address for access

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ORCHESTRA MUSIC TO PRINT 2025 - Must be logged into your "@capousd.org" email address for access

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