How to Schedule an Audition€¦ · Standard big band instrumentation will be the framework for the ensemble. Jazz Lab Jazz Lab is a fantastic semester long A/B elective during which

CB East Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble Audition Information 2015-2016

All info and audition music can be found by visiting www.cbeband.org

How to Schedule an Audition All auditions will take place in the CB East band office. You will audition for Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, or both at the same time. When you email Mr. Morehouse to schedule your time, please specify the group(s) for which you are planning to audition.

Auditions will be held:

Wednesday, January 28 from 2:30-5:00 Thursday, January 29 from 2:30-5:00

Please send Mr. Morehouse an email at [email protected] informing him which date works best for you. He will send you an email reply informing you what time to come for the audition. If you can ONLY make a certain time frame, please let him know in your initial email. Sample Emails: Hi Mr. Morehouse, My name is John Coltrane. I am currently a 9th grader at Tohickon Middle School and I would like to schedule an audition for Wednesday, January 28. Any time is good for me! Dear Mr. Morehouse, My name is Maria Schneider and I am currently in 9th grade at Holicong Middle School. I am available for an audition on Thursday, January 29 and would like to come between 2:30-3:00!

If you have a time constraint, be sure to email Mr. Morehouse as soon as possible. The sooner you schedule your audition, the better the chance you will

get your desired audition time.

All audition information and music can be found by visiting www.cbeband.org



CB East Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble Audition Information: 2015-2016

All students currently enrolled in 9th grade band are encouraged to enroll in Concert Band in 10th grade. Concert Band is the natural progression from 9th to 10th grade ensembles, offering more challenging literature, a more complete understanding of music theory, and a chance to make vast improvements on your instrument. Students enrolled in Concert Band will perform as the “Central Bucks HS East Concert Band” in all major performances throughout the school year. The Concert Band is the largest instrumental group at East, comprised of over 100 members. Symphonic Band should be viewed as an “honors” Concert Band course. The music performed is challenging high school and college-level literature. Students are expected to thoroughly practice all parts at home. Though not required, members of the CB East Symphonic Band often study their instruments with a private teacher outside of school. Please contact your teacher or Mr. Morehouse for a list of local private teachers. Students in Symphonic Band are also strongly encouraged to audition for the PMEA Honors Ensembles (County Band, District Band, Region Band, etc.). CB East features a Jazz Ensemble and a Jazz "Lab” class. The Jazz Ensemble will participate in local jazz festivals in addition to in-school and public performances. Rehearsal will be devoted to jazz style and interpretation, improvisation skills, listening/jazz appreciation, and preparing performance material. Although we will compete alongside other groups, the focus of the jazz bands at CB West is personal improvement and enjoyment of the jazz art. Students who are interested in jazz or improvisation but do not qualify for jazz ensemble should certainly consider Jazz Lab as an elective complementing the Concert Band class.



Concert Band All students currently enrolled in 9th grade band are encouraged to register for Concert

Band in 10th grade The group will consist of musicians in grades 10-12. Students DO NOT need to audition to

participate in Concert Band.

Symphonic Band Symphonic Band will meet during the school day as a class. The group will consist of musicians in grades 10-12. Entrance to Symphonic Band is

determined by audition. In order to keep with the authenticity of our performance literature studied in class,

instrumentation of the ensemble will remain an important criteria during the selection process.

Jazz Ensemble Jazz Ensemble will meet during the school day as a class. The group will consist of

musicians in grades 10-12. Entrance to Jazz Ensemble is determined by audition. Students performing in the ensemble are expected to enroll in Symphonic Band also. Only

guitarists, pianists and bassists may be exempted from this expectation. However, these musicians usually participate in the orchestra or choir if they are not in the symphonic band.

In order to keep with the authenticity of our performance literature studied in class, instrumentation of the ensemble will remain an important criteria during the selection process. Standard big band instrumentation will be the framework for the ensemble.

Jazz Lab Jazz Lab is a fantastic semester long A/B elective during which you will work extensively on

improvisation, and various jazz styles - especially swing. ALL students (on any instrument) are welcome to register for Jazz Lab. NO AUDITION IS REQUIRED to register for Jazz Lab. Marching Band (co-curricular ensemble) Beginning in the summer, our Marching Band performs throughout the fall season for all

football games, and several marching festivals and parades. Marching Band is the BEST way to meet 80+ new friends before the first day of school even

begins! All wind players and percussionists MUST be enrolled in Concert or Symphonic Band

in order to be eligible to participate in Marching Band. More information, including the entire calendar for next season, can be obtained at

www.cbeband.org.

Specific Course Reminders



Specific Audition Information: Symphonic Band All Students will prepare the following: Prepared excerpt: all students will perform a brief excerpt from the PMEA Honor Ensemble

audition material o Recordings: Most of the excerpts chosen have been recorded by professional

players. Be wary of unapproved YouTube recordings of these études, as these videos are not always performed by professionals and may not be played accurately! If you have questions about rhythms, pitches, or interoperation, please consult your private teacher. Info regarding recordings has been indicated, where available.

Scales: all students will prepare and perform major and chromatic scales as listed below. Information regarding octaves, tempo, and rhythm is also found below. If a student is unable to prepare the required range or tempo, they should make their best effort. However, all scales should be prepared for a minimum of one octave.

o Snare Drum Rudiments: In lieu of scales, students auditioning on Snare Drum must be prepared to play the 13 essential rudiments established by the National Association of Rudimental Drummers. Rudiments should be performed open to closed to open (slow to fast to slow). Rudiments can be found at www.cbeband.org.

Sight-reading: all students will be provided with a brief piece for sight-reading on the day of the audition.

Tempo/Range: Do the best you can to perform your audition scales/solos as close to the tempo as possible. If there are notes that are higher/lower than you are used to playing, do the best you can to use good air support to play them confidently. You can do it!

Specific Audition Information: Jazz Ensemble All Students will prepare the following: Prepared excerpt: all students will perform a selection from contemporary jazz literature

which can be found in your audition packet. Scales: scale requirements for Jazz Ensemble are the same as Symphonic Band. You do

not need to perform scales twice if you are auditioning for both ensembles. GUITARISTS will follow the scale requirements listed for FLUTE BASS will follow the scale requirements listed for TUBA PIANISTS will follow the scale requirements listed for FLUTE (2 hands for all scales)

Sight-reading: all students will be provided with a brief piece for sight-reading on the day of the audition.

Percussion Grooves: In lieu of scales, students auditioning on Drum Set will perform the following grooves: Medium Swing, Fast Swing, Jazz Waltz, Bossa Nova, and Samba

Recordings: Since the Jazz Ensemble audition is taken from ensemble literature, recordings do exist of these piece. All information for obtaining recordings of the audition material can be found in the top right-hand corner of each instrument’s musical excerpt.



13 Essential Rudiments



Wind Scales on next page

Documents

How to Schedule an Audition€¦ · Standard big band instrumentation will be the framework for the ensemble. Jazz Lab Jazz Lab is a fantastic semester long A/B elective during which