Wind Ensemble Audition Information

Auditions will be held March 27, 28, and 31, 2025. Results will be posted by April 1st after school.

Auditions are required if you are interested in joining the Wind Ensemble. Students that do not complete an audition are welcome to continue in the Symphonic Band. Sign-up for a time on the door outside room B103.

Students should come 10 minutes before their audition time to use a practice room to warm-up and prepare. Students that are unprepared or late for their audition will likely not be placed in the group.

Students need to fill out the form at this link https://forms.microsoft.com/r/cgRFh9f90Q BEFORE their audition time. Students who do not fill out the form on time will be considered only by director discretion. You must also read (and eventually agree) to the Student Agreement as well.

Audition Process

Students will perform three elements during their audition in the following order:

Primary Instrument Etude (Percussion will play two etudes instead of any scales)
2 major scales, all quarter notes played at no less than 100 BPM. Brass = One full octave. Woodwinds = 2 full octaves (where able). Perc = Second Etude! Scales can be any two of the following. Listed scales are in the key of your instrument:
- Eb Major, Ab Major, Db Major, A Major, E Major, B Major
Sight Reading of a grade 3 piece of concert band music, following a brief 30 seconds to look at the music before beginning

Preparation

Auditions start from the first day you walk into the band room. Preparation starts with great daily rehearsal habits, regular practice, and showing up for the band.

Preparing for your audition is an important step in having a successful audition experience. Practice your etude thoroughly. A rubric is attached for your information.

Prepare for the scales by working on them all. Consider side keys/alternate fingerings that make the notes more in tune for the key. Incorrect notes/fingerings are something you should work to fix immediately. Try to show musicianship in your scale, by playing tonefully, melodically, and confidently.

Sight-reading is hard to prepare for, by definition. Students that read new music frequently will have an inherent advantage to students that read fewer pieces. Challenge yourself to pick out a some new music and read through it! Having a system for approaching sight-reading is also valuable. For example, spending the time before you play counting and fingering difficult rhythmic passages.

Finally, seek out assistance! Get feedback from your peers and your director. Good luck, and thank you for your interest in Wind Ensemble.