2019-2020 Band Information

The 2019-20 Band audition information is below. All musical ensembles and available leadership positions are listed below with their audition requirements.

Marching Band (9-12th Grade) – No musical audition required. Lakeville South has three commitment levels, which are explained here.

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 using the musical excerpts below, but non-audition 10-12th graders will be placed in Symphonic Band.

Wind Ensemble (10-12th Grade) – Musical audition required using the musical excerpts below. Audition results will determine placement in Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band, and initial chair placement in the ensemble. All auditions will must be video recorded and emailed to Mr. Bieniek (woodwinds) or Mr. Castonguay (brass) by Friday, April 12 at bien3561@isd194.org or cast3954@isd194.org. We will send a confirmation email once it has been viewed.

Jazz Ensemble – Early Bird (9-12th Grade) – Musical audition required for placement. All students who play the instruments listed below may participate. 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 dually 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 student’s schedule by the office.

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 parts in it, so be sure to pick the page with your correct key. If you have questions about this audition, please ask Mr. Bieniek or Mr. Castonguay. There is a possibility of creating 2 or 3 early bird jazz bands next year, so please audition!

Student Leadership (9-12th Grade) – Music audition and student leadership application are required. The links to these materials are listed below. Available leadership positions include 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 begins!

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 (marching band only). 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. Incoming 9th graders only have to prepare the drumline audition if they desire to be in marching band.

Audition Process

Please read ALL directions, complete any/all forms needed and prepare all required music for your audition.

Student Leadership Form This must be turned in to Mr. Castonguay by Friday, April 12.

Audition Scoring Rubric – Winds (This is what will be filled out when Mr. Bieniek and Mr. Castonguay view your audition)

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

Scheduling your audition – All wind auditions must be video recorded and emailed to Mr. Bieniek or Mr. Castonguay by Friday, April 12. Current high school percussionists will be auditioned during class while incoming percussionists will have to sign up for an audition time. Information on scheduling will come from you middle school band director. If none of the available audition times work for you, please let Mr. Bieniek or Mr. Castonguay know.

All early bird jazz band auditions must be scheduled with Mr. Bieniek and Mr. Castonguay. Scheduling information will come from your middle school band directors.

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!

Have fun preparing and we can’t wait to listen to all of you!