2016-17 Band Audition Information

The 2016-2017 Band audition information is below. All musical ensembles that are offered are listed with their audition requirements.

Concert Band (9th Grade) – No musical audition required. All incoming 9th graders will be placed in the Concert Band.

Symphonic Band (10-12th Grade) – Auditions are encouraged, but any 10-12th grader that does not complete the musical audition will be placed in Symphonic Band.

Wind Ensemble (10-12th Grade) – Musical audition required. Audition results will determine placement in Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band.

Jazz Ensemble (9-12th Grade) – Musical audition required. The 2016-17 school year will be this ensemble’s first offering during the school day. It will be offered as an early bird class, earning each student musician credit, just as any other class in their schedule. All students in Jazz Ensemble must also be enrolled in one of the concert ensembles. Instrumentation includes: Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Bass, Guitar and Drum Set. Upon the completion of the audition process, those selected will be notified and the class will be added to each students schedule by the office. Wind players must prepare the regular concert ensemble audition and the addition jazz music audition available below. You will play the “head” of Slow Blues in F once followed by one chorus of improvisation. Rhythm section players should perform this same piece, but may be asked to demonstrate understandings of additional genres of music (rock, funk, swing, etc). The link for the jazz audition music has everyone’s music in it, so be sure to pick the page with your correct key.

Stage Band (9-12th Grade) – No musical audition required. Stage Band will be offered as an after school ensemble starting in November. Sign-ups will be in the fall.

Student Leadership (9-12th Grade) – Musical audition and student leadership application required. Those students willing to take on the responsibility and reward of being  a student leader in any  capacity must complete a musical audition and student leadership application. This includes drum majors, section leaders (musical) and rank captains (marching/visual). All student leaders must participate in summer marching band as this is where our foundation for success starts!

Drumline (9-12th grade percussionists) – Drumline audition required for all grades. In the musical excerpt link below you will find the concert ensemble audition music (snare and mallets) and a drumline cadence. Please prepare the drumline part you prefer to play; example: if you want to play bass drum prepare the bass drum part. After all auditions have occurred the drumline parts will be announced.

Audition Process

Please read ALL directions, complete any/all forms needed and prepare all required music for your audition. Musical audition time slots are only 10 minutes long, preparation is key!

Musical Audition Form (Fill this out and bring to your audition)

Student Leadership Form (Fill this out and bring to your audition if you desire a leadership position)

Audition Scoring Rubric – Winds (This is what will be filled out when you audition)

Audition Scoring Rubric – Percussion (This is what will be filled out when you audition)

Scheduling your audition – All wind auditions will take place before or after school as Mr. Bieniek could not audition everyone during class time. There is a separate sign up for winds and percussion as Mrs. Bergmark will audition all percussionists. Current high school percussionists will be auditioned during class, while incoming percussionists will have to sign up for an audition time. If none of the available audition times work for you, please let Mr. Bieniek know ASAP!

Winds (Brass and Woodwind) Audition Time Sign-Up

Percussion Audition Time Sign-Up

Performance notes:

Scales – Everyone (percussion and winds) must play a 2 octave concert F scale and the chromatic scale for the range of their instrument. The chromatic scale can be found by following the “Scale links” below. The chromatic scales are taken from the South Dakota All State audition sheet, the sheet specifies they must be memorized and played at a certain tempo. You do not have to memorize and they should be performed at the quickest tempo you can, but keeping a consistent tempo is much more important than speed!

Musical Excerpt – Prepare the bracketed portions. Tone is most important!