Jr.Honors/All-State Information

The auditions have three musical components:

• The Prepared Piece: This is usually a technical etude or study piece from the Rubank Advanced Method or some similar book.  

• Scales: Each student will be asked to perform a one octave chromatic scale, except for flute and clarinet players who will perform a two octave chromatic scale. Also, they will need to know the major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats. (C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, Eb, Ab,) in a sixteenth pattern at a metronome marking of a quarter note = 72. All scales are played ascending and descending one octave, except flute, clarinet and keyboard percussion. These instruments shall perform two octaves.

• Sight Reading: students will be asked to perform a short (approximately 16 measures) excerpt for the judges with only a minute or so to prepare.

What Happens at the Audition?
Students will be given a specific audition time a couple of weeks prior to the audition. The times are sent to the school director from the audition coordinators. Students should plan on arriving at the audition location about an hour before their scheduled time. Do not wear anything that identifies your home school, director or private teacher.

They will check in at a reception desk and be escorted to a group warm-up room. This is usually the cafeteria or gymnasium where all of the auditioning students are running through their pieces one last time and getting ready to audition.

When it is about ten or fifteen minutes before your audition time, students should go to the assigned audition room with everything needed. You will then stand outside the audition room for up to ten minutes as the person before you finishes their audition. Make no noise in the halls, keep your reeds wet and silently.blow warm air through your instrument The audition room is often just a classroom with the desks pushed to one side. There will be a chair and a stand waiting for you, and two judges seated at desks in front of you. One of the judges will invite you inside and probably ask if you would like to play a few warm-up notes. Go ahead and play anything you like that highlights your sound and gives you confidence. Do not play directly towards the judges. Give yourself some space between you and the judges-this will let the judges hear your best tone. You will be asked for either your scales or your prepared piece. The last thing is usually the sight-reading.

The whole process takes about six minutes. Because there are usually so many flute, and clarinet auditionees, there is a Finals Room (trumpet also at All-State). If you are a flute, or clarinet (trumpet) player, you should be prepared to stay up to 45 minutes longer so that you can repeat the audition process in the Finals Room. Assuming that your first audition goes well, the judges will invite you to the Finals Room where you play the audition again for two different judges. The highest scoring auditioners from the Finals Room will then be asked to participate in the band. The audition results are mailed to your band director about a month after the audition.

Being selected for All County and All-State Band is a true honor and can be a life-changing event. Prepare well!

 

All-State Performance Videos 2016- Naval Academy Band

 

​