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Band Audition Dates & Times:
HCHS Students November 30 - December 4, assigned times in class
8th Grade Sign Up with Mr. Kurinsky - Mon. Nov 30 or Tue, Dec 1, 3:30 - 6:00
flute, oboe, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, percussion
8th Grade with Mrs. Tait - Tue, Dec 1 or Wed, Dec 2, 3:20 - 5:30
clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba
If neither of these 8th grade dates work for you, reach out to both directors, Mr. Kurinsky (mkurinsk@hinsdale86.org) and Mrs. Tait (gadduci@hinsdale86.org) to arrange an alternative that works for you.
Sheet Music PDFs:
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet
Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion
Example Rubrics:
Band Audition Wind Rubric (2016)
Band Audition Percussion Rubric (2016)
Hinsdale Central band students must join the MakeMusic section for your band class to access audition practice.
1. Pick a time in the Sign Up Genius as soon as it is available.
8th Grade Sign Up with Mr. Kurinsky - Mon. Nov 30 or Tue, Dec 1, 3:30 - 6:00
flute, oboe, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, percussion
8th Grade with Mrs. Tait - Tue, Dec 1 or Wed, Dec 2, 3:20 - 5:30
clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba
If neither of these dates work for you, reach out to both directors, Mr. Kurinsky (mkurinsk@hinsdale86.org) and Mrs. Tait (gadduci@hinsdale86.org) to arrange an alternative that works for you.
2. Join Make Music Cloud.
Join the free Make Music Cloud 8th Grade Band Audition Class using the link, https://admin.makemusic.com/join?classCode=LUU4Q-RVJEQ, 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 MakeMusic account and join for free.
3. Perform your audition
On your audition day, meet your director in room 1909, the band room at Hinsdale Central. You will play your audition for Mr. K or Mrs. T along with the click from Make Music and using your paper music. Everyone will perform around 8 measures of sight reading after 30 seconds of practice out loud on your instrument.
8th Grade with Mr. Kurinsky - Mon. Nov 30 or Tue, Dec 1, 3:30 - 6:00
flute, oboe, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, percussion
8th Grade with Mrs. Tait - Tue, Dec 1 or Wed, Dec 2, 3:20 - 5:30
clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba
If neither of these dates work for you, reach out to both directors, Mr. Kurinsky (mkurinsk@hinsdale86.org) and Mrs. Tait (gadduci@hinsdale86.org) to arrange an alternative that works for you.
1. Concert Band
Youngest and less experienced musicians.
No audition necessary.
2. Symphonic Band
First level auditioned band for more experienced and older musicians.
Prepare No. 1: Andante, No. 2: Moderato, No. 3: Allegro, and sight read.
3. Wind Symphony
Second level level band for more experienced and older musicians.
Prepare the entire audition and sight read: No. 1: Andante, No. 2: Moderato, No. 3: Allegro, No. 4: Vivo.
4. Wind Ensemble
Top auditioned band for the most experienced and oldest student musicians.
Prepare the entire audition and sight read: No. 1: Andante, No. 2: Moderato, No. 3: Allegro, No. 4: Vivo.
Audition Dates & Times
Jazz audittions are the week of January 11, 2027
You wil choose an audition time using Sign Up Genius once it's ready.
Flute, oboe, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, piano, guitar, drum set, vibes audition with Mr. Kurinsky, mkurinsk@hinsdale86.org.
Clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba audition with Ms. Tait, gadduci@hinsdale86.org.
Sheet Music PDFs:
Flute, Oboe, Guitar, & Vibes
Bass Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
Trumpet & Clarinet
Alto & Bari Sax
Bass Guitar
Bassoon, Euphonium, & Trombone
Horn
Piano
Drum Set
MP3 Audio Files:
Everyone -
Everyone -
Jazz Ensemble Only -
Sight Reading Example -
Example Rubric:
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.
The primary audition dates for 8th grade band students attending Hinsdale Central for the following school year are typically in November for concert band and in Janaury for jazz. 8th grade students request an audition time using the online Audition Registration Form. When released, download the band and jazz audition music and instructions listed in the columns on this page. Audition results will be released after winter break.
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.
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.
Mrs. Tait & Mr. Kurinsky
Efficient Practice Articles