2018 Chair Placement Auditions

Below is the 2018 Symphonic Band Chair Placement Audition Schedule and Information:

Please remember that all students of the same section must audition on the same day.  Extenuating circumstances will be remedied on a case-by-case basis to preserve fairness and equal opportunity.  Any student who canNOT stay after school on their day of auditioning will need to audition during class time.  Those students need to speak up and come forward early for auditioning.

**Due to changing membership numbers, I have not been able to determine yet if we will split the band in to two ensembles for our Music Performance Assessment in March this year.  As always, I hope to be able to offer the opportunity to create a “Wind Ensemble”, in order to explore and enjoy more advanced and challenging literature for our spring concert.  The Wind Ensemble would consist of the top-playing members of each section and has traditionally performed demanding and awesome literature.  IF we end up having a Wind Ensemble, the group would meet on Tuesdays & Thursdays after school.  Until such time as I am able to make that decision, the Symphonic Band (all instrumentalists) will rehearse after school on Tuesdays & Thursdays, until 6:00.

Auditions will begin next Monday (everyone has an extra weekend to prepare!).  I will be absent during class Thursday and we will go over some of the syllabus/hand book and class logistics on Friday.

STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR INSTRUMENTS EVERY DAY, even if they are not auditioning – there is a lot to do, always.  INSTRUMENTS MUST BE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION!  (For example, reed instruments must have 2 additional reeds ready (already broken-in), brass instruments must have ALL slides easily movable, and all instruments should be void of leaks.  The playing quality of the instrument (including the mouthpiece/reed/slides/sticks/mallets) makes a huge difference.  Students should always bring me their instrument first if they have any problems – I can often fix it.

And finally, in case your student hasn’t told you, we will be having playing tests throughout the semester, in class.  The playing tests will be very brief but may include any scales or short portions of rehearsal material.

**Any students who are not sufficiently prepared, or do not perform at the minimum standard, for auditions and playing tests, will be required to repeat the audition/test for partial credit.  These practices/policies are to help students form better practice habits and spread ensemble responsibility more evenly, aside from the basic education of developing better instrumentalists.

Auditions with Mr. Souder and Dennis will begin as quickly as possible during 4th block and continue after school until all students have auditioned.  Auditions with Mrs. Souder will begin around 3:00 and continue after school until all students have auditioned.

Percussion (Dennis)