Resources
Audition Materials, Method Book and Step-Up Equipment Recommendations, Private Lesson Info, Forms
Audition Materials, Method Book and Step-Up Equipment Recommendations, Private Lesson Info, Forms
Audition Requirements: District Honor Band
Scales
The following scales will be required every year for all Middle School students auditioning for the Honor Band: C Concert, F Concert, Bb Concert, Eb Concert, Ab Concert and Chromatic (Percussion will NOT play the Chromatic).
Percussion Rudiments
Buzz roll (soft-loud-soft; minimum of 20 seconds), Single Paradiddles, (Alternating) Flams
Prepared Music
2024-2025: Set II 2025-2026: Set III 2026-2027: Set I 2027-2028: Set II
Links to Audition Music and Scales
When you are ready to upgrade from your first instrument, here are some good options!
Flute
Look for flutes that have these features:
Solid silver head joint. (Gold lip plates are expensive, but great!)
Open holes
YAMAHA: YFL-362H (Intermediate); YFL-222 (Student)
Other acceptable brands (contact Ms. Mulkey for model numbers): Pearl, Di Zhao, Gemeinhardt, Powell, Haynes
Clarinet
Buying used clarinets is the highest risk. There are so many things that can go wrong with the mechanics and maintenance of the wood. BUT it is possible. Please contact us with used purchases!
For step-up instruments, wood or similar composites are preferred.
YAMAHA: 400AD (Intermediate); 200ADII (Student)
BUFFET: E11 (Intermediate)
Other acceptable brands: Jupiter, Backun, Selmer
Accessories
Mouthpieces
VANDOREN: M13, M13 Lyre, M15, 5RV Lyre, B45 (All 13 Series)
YAMAHA: 4C
Ligatures
Rovner ligatures
Bonade inverted metal ligature
Saxophone
Lacquered brass is preferred over silver plated. Be wary of "vintage" options. While they are beautiful and work great for solo work, they are more difficult to control/play in tune and lack some chromatic fingerings.
YAMAHA: YAS-480 (Intermediate ALTO); YTS-480 (Intermediate TENOR); YAS-200ADII (Student ALTO); YTS-200ADII (Student TENOR)
SELMER sets the standard for professional saxophones, but are fairly expensive. Contact me for more information on this option.
Accessories
Mouthpiece
VANDOREN: Optimum AL4 (Alto), Optimum TL4 (Tenor), or Optimum BL4 (Bari)
YAMAHA: 4C
Trumpet
Only buy Bb trumpets. Beware of trumpets in different keys! (Eb, C, pocket, piccolo, bass, etc.)
BACH: TR200 (Intermediate horn; Higher quality); BTR201 (Student)
YAMAHA: YTR-4335GII (Intermediate); YTR200-ADII (Student)
Other acceptable brands (contact Ms. Mulkey for model numbers): Holton, Getzen, Shires
Mouthpieces
BACH: 3C
Trombones with F Attachment (which is critical for the advancing performer)
J.P. RATH: 300 Series (Intermediate+)
YAMAHA: 400 Series (Intermediate); 600 Series (Intermediate+)
Trombones without F Attachment (more affordable, not fully recommended)
Used recommendations: Yamaha, Olds, King, Bach, Holton, Conn
New recommendations: Yamaha, J.P. Rath, Getzen
Mouthpieces (be careful when purchasing because shank size can be different. Ask Ms. Mulkey if you are unsure!)
BACH: 6 1/2 AL
YAMAHA: 48
Euphonium and Tuba
Please contact Ms. Mulkey if you choose to purchase your own Euphonium or Tuba.
Euphonium Mouthpieces (be careful when purchasing because shank size can be different. Ask Ms. Mulkey if you are unsure!)
BACH: 6 1/2 AL
YAMAHA 48D, 51D
SCHILKE: 51D
Tuba Mouthpieces
CONN: Helleburg 7B
Here are some recommendations of method books to use in private lessons or in personal study
Flute
Rubank Intermediate Method for Flute by A.C. Peterson
Clarinet
Rubank Intermediate Method for Clarinet by J.E. Skornicka
Oboe
See Ms. Mulkey
Saxophone
Rubank Intermediate Method for Saxophone by J.E. Skornicka
Trumpet
Rubank Intermediate Method for Cornet or Trumpet by J.E. Skornicka
French Horn
Rubank Intermediate Method for French Horn by Joseph Skornicka
Trombone/Euphonium
Rubank Intermediate Method for Trombone or Baritone by J.E. Skornicka and E.G. Boltz
Tuba
Rubank Intermediate Method for Tuba by Himie Voxman and William Gower
Recordings
Students must have an appropriate model to emulate when playing their instrument. Below are suggestions of artists for each instrument.
Flute Jean-Pierre Rampal, Jim Walker, Paula Robison
Clarinet Harold Wright, Larry Combs, Martin Frost
Oboe Joseph Robinson, John Mack
Bassoon Bubonic Bassoon Quartet, Christopher Millard
Saxophone Jean Rousseau, Joseph Lulloff, Steven Mauk
Trumpet Phil Smith, Adolph Herseth
Horn Dale Clevenger, Dennis Brain
Trombone Joseph Allesi, Christian Linberg
Euphonium Brian Bowman, Roger Behrend
Tuba Arnold Jacobs, Sam Pilafian
Private lessons are not mandatory! However, one of the fastest ways for students to see improvement in their playing is to participate in private lessons. Think of it as a tutoring session where you will get one-on-one attention from an instructor who specializes in your instrument. Below are reliable resources for local instructors. Rates and availability may vary
Flute
Clarinet
Ian Flores- iflore4@lsu.edu
Brandon Lawrence (virtual only)- blgordon.clarinet@gmail.com
Kayla Ramos- kaylaavery01@gmail.com
Saxophone
Lydia Nelson- lydiagnelson03@gmail.com/985-445-8115
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Jarris Folse- jfols14@lsu.edu
Sierra Price- spric4@lsu.edu
Baritone/Euphonium
John Blair IV-
Tuba
Percussion