AUDITIONS
Band Audition Links
for the 24-25 school year
for the 24-25 school year
Scroll down for 8th Grade Student Information and be patient as the links below are updated...
Instructions:
Band Audition Instructions - ALL STUDENTS START HERE
Band Audition Dates & Times
HCHS November 6-10, in class
8th Grade November 16-17, 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Sheet Music PDFs:
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet
Horn
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
Percussion
Example Rubrics:
Band Audition Wind Rubric (2016)
Band Audition Percussion Rubric (2016)
Join the SmartMusic section for your band class to access audition click.
8th Grade Band Student Information
1. Fill out the 8th Grade Audition Registration Form immediately.
A director will schedule an in-person audition with you for Thursday, November 16 or Friday, November 17.
2. Join SmartMusic.
Join the free Make Music Cloud class using the link, https://admin.makemusic.com/join?classCode=NPGWF-MHQQE, and use the assignments for practice. If you have a paid subscription you add this class to your account, but a paid subscription is not required. You can create a SmartMusic account and join for free.
3. Perform your audition
On Thursday, November 16 or Friday, November 17 in room 170, the new band room at Hinsdale Central, you will play your audition for one of the directors along with the click from SmartMusic.
There are four levels of HCHS band...
Concert Band or Concert Percussion
Younger and less experienced musicians.
No audition necessary.
Symphonic Band or Symphonic Percussion
First level auditioned band for more experienced musicians.
Prepare No 1 Andantino, No 2 Adagietto Maestoso, No 3 Larghetto, and sight read.
Wind Symphony or Wind Ensemble
Advanced level bands for the most experienced student musicians.
Prepare No 1 Andantino, No 2 Adagietto Maestoso, No 3 Larghetto, No 4 Presto, and sight read.
Jazz Audition Links
for the 24-25 school year
for the 24-25 school year
Instructions:
Jazz Audition Instructions - ALL STUDENTS START HERE
Audition Dates & Times
The audition dates were January 10 & 11, 2024, but will be rescheduled to Tuesday, February 6, & Wednesday, February 7, 2024, because some HCHS students' instruments may still be returning from London. Use the New SignUp Genius Form to choose a new audition date and time. Alto saxes, horns, trumpets, trombones, and baritones audition with Ms. Adduci, gadduci@hinsdale86.org. Guitars, Vibes, Flutes, Oboes, Tenor Saxes, Bari Saxes, Pianos, and Drum Sets audition with Mr. Kurinsky, mkurinsk@hinsdale86.org. If none of the available times work for you, email the director for your instrument to schedule an alternate time.
Sheet Music PDFs:
Flute, Oboe, Guitar, & Vibes
Bass Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
Trumpet & Clarinet
Alto & Bari Sax
Bass Guitar
Bassoon, Baritone, & Trombone
Horn
Piano
Drum Set
MP3 Audio Files:
Everyone - Play In A Mellow Tone: Listening & Play Along
Everyone - Improvise 24 Bars of Now's The Time: Sheet Music & Play Along
Jazz Ensemble Only - Play Tunisia: Listening & Play Along
Sight Reading Example - Moonmen: Sheet Music & Play Along
Example Rubric:
Hinsdale Central Band Student Registration - See Above For Fall 2023 Auditions
Current Hinsdale Central students will be assigned an audition time slot during the first few weeks of November. Audition results are part of the second quarter grade, they are used for chair placement this school year, and also determine placement in the following year's bands. Audition results will be released after winter break.
8th Grade Band Student Auditions
The primary audition dates for 8th grade band students attending Hinsdale Central for the following school year are typically in November. 8th grade students request an audition time using the online Audition Registration Form. Students auditioning for jazz will audition at the same time. Download the band and jazz audition music and instructions listed in the columns on this page. Audition results will be released after winter break.
Hinsdale Central Jazz Auditions
Current Hinsdale Central jazz students who want to try out for the following year's Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble must audition. You will sign up for an audition time in January. Audition scores are part of the third quarter grade and are also used to select the following year's Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble.
How Can I Improve My Audition?
The first thing an audience hears, either audition judge or school concert, is your sound. Take lots of time listening, either on YouTube or go buy several CD's with professionals that your teacher recommends, and begin developing a characteristic tone in your head. Recording yourself is a great way to start hearing if your tone is improving. Audacity is free, downloadable recording software that is easy for anyone to use.
Second, making a good sound doesn't matter unless you put it in the right place. Focus on your ability to count with a metronome. We use SmartMusic software that utilizes a click and you will be asked to audition with the metronome playing in the background. Get used to the click by either purchasing SmartMusic and practicing with the audition etudes or by using your metronome at home.
Third, become very comfortable with standard rhythms and get as close to being able to read them the first or second time with great accuracy. Find standard method books or jazz books and practice sight reading. There is a great article titled, 5 Steps to Mastering Sight-Reading from www.jazzadvice.com.
Fourth, any moment in life that asks you to give your best in a snapshot will naturally trigger some level of nerves or anxiety. Amateurs and professionals struggle with performance anxiety, but the performer needs to learn to deal with those mental and physical reactions and they differ for everyone. Frequently performing your prepared piece for family and friends is the best way to get the body and mind used to the performing experience.
Articles on how to overcome performance anxiety:
How to Take Ownership of an Audition
When Every Performance is Molto Agitato
Auditions - How to Overcome Stage Fright
Seven Essential Pieces of Advice for Young Musicians
What Was An Audition Like With Gilmore? - School Band and Orchestra
Finally, the success that many of our Wind Ensemble students experience is not just luck or talent. Those students put in daily practice on the described concepts mentioned above along with diligent work on fundamentals that are specific to their instrument.
Doing anything in life that will set you apart from others requires patience and perseverance. We recommend developing a practice log with your teacher indicating where weak points are and how you plan to address them.
Good luck and happy practicing.
Ms. Adduci & Mr. Kurinsky
Efficient Practice Articles