Auditions Guidelines and Requirements

All NHS Band members will be completing a playing test or audition to end the 3rd nine weeks. Band members in grades 9, 10, and 11 will complete a live audition consisting of the following:
  • 2 Scales for all Woodwind, Brass, or Melodic Percussionists from: B-flat, E-flat, A-flat, F, and C
  • 2 Rudiments for all non-Melodic Percussionists from: Single Stroke Roll, Double Stroke Open Roll, 5-Stroke Roll, Single Paradiddle, Flam, Flam-Tap, Flamacue, Drag, Lesson 25
  • Required Excerpt(s) - SEE BELOW FOR INSTRUMENT SPECIFIC SELECTIONS
  • Sightreading example
  • Auditions will take place after school beginning on Tuesday, March 19, 3pm-8:30pm and continue Wednesday, March 20, 3pm-9pm. If necessary, additional auditions will be offered Thursday, March 21, 5pm-9pm but only after the previous days spots are full. Signups will begin Wednesday, March 13 after school. 
  • Audition results will be used to adjust seating within each band.
  • Band placement for 2019-2020 will not be posted until all middle school students have auditioned (mid-April).
Students who are graduating or choosing to end their contribution to the band program will submit a video recorded playing test due for submission by March 22 at 11:59pm. These playing tests will be uploaded to a shared google drive folder, DO NOT attempt to edit or tamper with anyone's files. 

Current Symphonic Band Members

Current members of the symphonic band will play the following selections as part of their audition. These are in addition to the required scales/rudiments and sightreading. All auditions will be performed with metronome at the marked tempo.
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet
  • Folk Song Suite, Movement 3, measures 71-89 downbeat - Quarter = 124
  • Fantasy on a Theme by Sousa, Measure 147-154 - Quarter = 72
Alto Sax
  • Folk Song Suite, Movement 3, pickup to measure 29-45 - Quarter = 124
  • Fantasy on a Theme by Sousa, Measure 38-49 - Quarter = 138
Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Bass Clarinet
  • Folk Song Suite, Movement 2, pickup to measure 78-89 - Quarter = 68
  • Fantasy on a Theme by Sousa, Measure 127-136 - Quarter = 138
Trumpet
  • ​Fantasy on a Theme by Sousa, Measure 38-60 downbeat - Quarter = 138
Horn
  • Fantasy on a Theme by Sousa, Measure 147-154 (end of measure) - Quarter = 72
Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
  • Folk Song Suite, Movement 3, pickup to measure 29-45 - Quarter = 124
Percussion
  • See separate handout

Current Concert Band Members

Current members of the concert band will play the following selections as part of their audition. These are in addition to the required scales/rudiments and sightreading. All auditions will be performed with metronome at the marked tempo.
Flute, Picc, Clarinet
  • Impact, measure 37-49 (downbeat) - Quarter = 144
Alto Sax, Tenor Sax
  • Impact, pickup to measure 17-41 (downbeat) - Quarter = 144
Bari Sax, Tuba
  • Impact, measure 73-87 (downbeat) - Quarter = 144
Trumpet
  • Nathan Hale Trilogy, Movement 1, measure 3-20 - Quarter = 96
Horn
  • Nathan Hale Trilogy, Movement 1, measure 1-22 - Quarter = 96
Trombone and Bassoon
  • Impact, measure 41-49 (downbeat) - Quarter = 144
Baritone
  • Impact, measure 65-73 - Quarter = 144
Percussion
  • ​See separate handout

Graduating Seniors and others

  1. See the above audition requirement for your current ensemble.
  2. Record yourself playing ALL scales/rudiments listed above, required for your instrument, in addition - all wind players must play a one octave chromatic scale (start on any note), and all percussion must play two additional rudiments of your choice.  NO METRONOME
  3. Record yourself playing the required audition selection(s) - WITH METRONOME
  4. Prior to upload, title your files using this format - Lee.Auer.Trombone.Scales.mp4 (or whatever format is used) or Lee.Auer.Trombone.Selections.mp4 (or whatever format is used). 
  5. Upload your playing test materials here.