Students auditioning for Wind Ensemble will audition with the following materials

• 6 Major Scales: One Octave Ascending and Descending 

• A prepared solo exerpt - to be announced and published here soon

• Rhythm Excerpt

There is no audition required for Symphonic Band

Prerequisite: Students in Jazz Ensemble need be enrolled in an additional Jr High or High School performing ensemble: band or orchestra or percussion class. Guitar and Piano players do not need to be enrolled in another ensemble but must prove they have had previous experience on their instruments.

Jazz Auditions: 

1. Winds: 

   1. Major Scales and Arpeggios: Concert C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db Major

   2. Mixolydian: Concert F, Bb, and Eb 

   3. Perform a jazz solo exerpt, to be announced and published here soon

   4. Sight Reading: Students will need to be prepared to sight read a short jazz standard in a swing style

2. Guitars: 

   1. Major Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db Major. 

   2. Mixolydian: Concert F, Bb, and Eb 

   3. Chords: Students will need to show that they can comp on the following chords: Major, Major-Seven, and Dominant Chords. 

   4. Sight Reading: Students will sight read a short jazz standard comping with the above chords. 

3. Bass: 

   1. Major Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db Major. 

   2. Mixolydian: Concert F, Bb, and Eb 

   3. Walking Bass: Students will need to show that they can use a basic walking bass pattern using major and dominant chords. 

   4. Sight Reading: Students will need to apply a walking bass line to a short jazz standard. 

4. Piano: 

   1. Major Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db Major. 

   2. Mixolydian: F, Bb, and Eb 

   3. Chords: Students will need to show that they can comp on the following chords: Major, Major-Seven, and Dominant Chords. 

   4. Sight Reading: Students will sight read a short jazz standard comping with the above chords. 

5. Drum Set: 

   1. Play a basic swing pattern at 80, 100, and 120 beats per minute. 

   2. Play a basic rock pattern at 80, 100, and 120 beats per minute. 

   3. Show their ability to learn new swing patterns and apply them to the drum set. Exercises can be found here. 

   4. Drummers will need to show the ability to play a variety of swing and latin styles. Specific patterns evaluated can be found here and here. 

   5. Drummers need to apply various swing patterns to Silk Puppet, found here. 

   6. Sight Reading: Drummers will sight read a jazz standard, using various swing patterns. 

Percussionists: 

• 6 Major Scales

• Snare Drum: Play on the snare the exercises Eight on a Hand on Bucks found in the audition materials folder. Play at 100 BPM. 

• Sight Reading: Students will sight read a short passage provided by the Band Director. 

To Be Announced

Auditions for the Pit Orchestra change every year based on the musical.