Martin Band Auditions 2024-25

BAND AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS

NEW BAND STUDENTS

• 0 Years of experience playing a band instrument - These students should register for Beginning Band and/or rank band as their first choice when selecting classes. Students will rank their top instruments and receive their instrument assignment during the first week of classes.

• 1+ Years of experience playing a band instrument - Students with one or more years of experience playing a band instrument are able to audition for Concert Band (Intermediate). Please email Mr. Giambusso cgiambusso@wcpss.net to be added to the Martin Band Auditions canvas. Include students full name, student ID #, instrument, and student email in the message.

ALL CURRENT BAND STUDENTS are required to perform and complete the ensemble auditions for the 2024 -2025 school year.

• RISING 7th and 8th Graders this audition only determines ensemble placement and is NOT for a grade.

• ALL RISING 9th Graders must complete this as a Major Grade playing test for Q3.  Rising 9th Grade videos are due Tuesday, April 2nd.

Audition Videos for Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders are Due Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

WHAT BANDS AM I BEING CONSIDERED FOR?

2nd Period - Magnet Symphonic Band

Auditioned Ensemble - An Advanced Concert Band for Martin students with experience in MS Band. This ensemble participates in MPA performances, Honor Bands, and goes on our Spring Band Field Trip! Auditions are required to join this ensemble.

3rd Period - Magnet Jazz Band

Auditioned Ensemble -  Our most advanced band class. This a Jazz Big Band for Martin students with experience in MS Band. Students participate in many performances outside school including the Broughton Fusion Concert, Jazz MPA, Honor Bands, Stampede Step-Up, and Mustang Madness. Students will study many styles of music including Jazz, Funk, Blues, etc. Audition or director recommendation is required to join this ensemble. *Students must also be registered for Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, or Advanced Orchestra to take Jazz Band.*

4th Period - Magnet Percussion Ensemble

Auditioned Ensemble - A percussion class for all 7th - 8th grade Martin Percussion students with experience in MS Band. All 7th and 8th grade percussionist will be placed into this class. The auditions will determine which students will be selected as the primary percussionists for either Symphonic Band or Concert Band.

8th Period - Concert Band

Auditioned Ensemble - An Intermediate Concert Band for Martin students with one year or more of experience in Middle or Elementary School Band. Audition or director recommendation is required to join this ensemble.

SYMPHONIC AND CONCERT BAND AUDITION MUSIC (Required)

All students will submit videos of the following exercises listed below. Please note that both scales should be submitted together in one video that is unedited.

Videos of professional musicians performing the All-State Solos: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JYgSZ1kh_2P8Z-E77z-SMOTxAndOcVvSbk8hwNEoN_E/edit?usp=sharing

• Woodwind and Brass Instruments (2 videos):

  • One video with the All-State Concert Bb AND Concert F Major Scale and Arpeggio at 40 BPM or faster (tongued)

  • One video of the first 8 measures from this years All-State/All-District/All-County Solos.

• Percussion (3 videos):

  • One video of the first 12 measures from this years All-State Snare Drum Solo titled "Step 2: Snare Drum Technical"

  • One video of the first 8 measures from this years All-State Mallet Solo

  • One video with the All-State Concert Bb AND Concert F Major Scale and Arpeggio at 40 BPM or faster 

JAZZ ENSEMBLE AUDITION MUSIC (Optional)

• These should be performed with a metronome of the backing track at 110 BPM.

• Jazz Winds Audition (1 video):

  • One video of the student performing Chorus 1 of "Blue Monk" by Thelonious Monk (Video)

  • Wind players in jazz band must play one of the following instruments: Alto, Tenor, or Bari Saxophone; Trombone, or Trumpet

    • IMPORTANT: If you are auditioning for jazz on a wind instrument that is not one of the above, the expectation is that you will take lessons over the summer and learn to play one of these instruments if selected. Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoons should take saxophone lessons. French Horns should take Trumpet lessons. Low Brass should take Trombone lessons.

• Jazz Piano/Guitar Audition (1 video):

  • One video of the student performing Chorus 1 of "Blue Monk." This is a chord comping exercise in 12 Bar Blues form.

• Jazz Bass Audition (1 video):

  • One video of the student performing Chorus 1 of "Blue Monk." This is a walking bass line exercise in 12 Bar Blues form.

• Jazz Drum Set (1 video):

  • One video of the student performing 4 measures of each groove - Big Band Swing groove, a Funk/Rock groove, and a Bossa Nova groove.

AUDITION RESULTS

• Audition results will be shared with students in mid April. Students will be given a letter with their placement that they must sign stating that they are committing to joining that band(s) for the entire upcoming school year.

• Registering for Band: Students should not select a band when registering for classes. Mr. Giambusso will send the list of students placements to counselors and they will place students into their correct ensemble. This schedule change may not show until summer break.