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WEST SUBURBAN HOME SCHOOL BAND
2008-2009 AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
APPLICATION for membership in the WSHSB takes place ONLY
OVER THE SPRING AND SUMMER, with
auditions required for all levels but Cadets.
The fall roster is set and final by the end of August.
CADETS
Click here to go directly to the 2008-2009 CADET REQUIREMENTS.
THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO ALL THOSE AUDITIONING FOR
Concert Junior, Concert Senior or Symphonic Band
IMPORTANT DATES
July 11, 2008, 9AM – 9PM, is the
date additional Symphonic audition materials will be released. These materials will be
available at the director’s home in Winfield, not far from the intersection of
Roosevelt and Winfield Roads. Contact the director if you need the address and/or
directions. Under no circumstances will audition music be mailed or released early
to accommodate vacation schedules. You will have to make other arrangements, such as
having another band member pick it up for you.
August 8, 2008, 9AM – 9PM, is the deadline by
which all audition videos need to be delivered to the director’s home.
INSTRUMENT NEEDS
Instrument needs continually change. Please contact the director for the most current
needs.
As of May 2008, these are the most-needed instruments -
 | Tuba |
| French Horn |
| Baritone/Euphonium |
| Oboe |
| Trombone |
AUDITION CLARIFICATIONS
In order to be considered for membership in the WSHSB, an
audition video must be submitted. While you may audition for more than one band,
you must audition for each band on the instrument you intend to play in that band. Each
audition must be on a separate, brand-new video. This audition video requirement applies
to all new applicants, as well as all returning members.
We would also like to impress upon you that the band(s) for which
you choose to audition has a direct effect on planning for our next concert season. The
balance and number of instruments affects the composition of each band as well as the
selection of music. We will not be able to accommodate changes once you choose an
instrument and band level. Any requests of this nature will be considered for the
following concert year.
First Chair Expectations - Earning first chair/principle
player confers upon a player an important title. But there are responsibilities that come
with the position. The director and band rely on each principle to take on leadership for
his section. These expectations increase commensurately with each band level. As lead, he
is expected to:
| Be the most skilled performer and an example of "how to do it" to the rest of
the section |
| Play with confidence, precise entries and sufficient volume |
| Play most if not all the solos |
| Be called upon to "model" a difficult passage for the rest of the section |
| Overall require minimal, if any, coaching from the director |
If a student is not prepared or willing to accept such a degree of responsibility, he
should state on his video that he would rather not have 1st chair.
No member has the authority to bypass the audition process by acquiring another
band's/instrument's music or inserting themselves into a band they never auditioned for.
This is different from being a (director-approved) helper on your primary instrument in
another band, which does not require an extra audition to fulfill that role. There are
also times when the director may request a member's help, crossing the band lines, but
these kinds of situations always require the director's knowledge and approval
AUDITION VIDEO FORMAT
Both VHS videotape and DVD-R formats are acceptable. (Use
DVR-R format only, do not use DVD+R or DVD+/-RW for recording.) Because of the
large number of auditions, it has become too cumbersome to have more than one audition on
a tape or DVD. Each audition must be on a separate, brand-new, fully rewound VHS or new
DVD-R.
Recording their audition in the comfort of their own
home allows students to record their best playing or go back and re-record something they
are not happy with. Even if you feel that your video is not very good, submit it anyway -
you have nothing to lose. Having a video allows the directors to be able to go back and
re-listen to a student. If you do not own a videotape or DVD recorder, you will
need to borrow one from a friend or relative. You may contact the director, Mrs. Karen
Borrow at Director or the assistant director at Mrs. Dena Wiesner-Pardee with questions, but they will
not be able to assist in making your recording.
LABEL THE VIDEO
Clearly label the videotape or DVD and its case with the student's name,
instrument, and band the audition is for.
RECORDING
Stand on the floor or sit on a solid chair, and use a music
stand. Do not set the music on a table or in your case, or have another person hold it
while you perform. Do not sit on a sofa, soft chair or bed.
Record your audition from the side and NOT from the front. Playing directly into the
microphone can distort the sound. We also want to be able to see your embouchure and
finger or hand technique. Tubas, be sure to film on the side that we can see your face.
If using videotape, you must use a separate, brand-new, fully-rewound tape for each
individual audition. Start the recording at the beginning of the tape. Likewise, use a new
DVD-R for each individual audition.
For recording (Note: these steps are also included within each band's audition
requirements)
| At the beginning of the recording clearly state your first and last name and announce
which band and instrument the audition is for. |
| If you are not interested in being 1st chair, assuming a leadership position and playing
solos, please say so at the beginning of your recording. There is much expected of a
principle player. |
| Announce each selection before playing e.g.; Bb chromatic scale, passage name, etc. |
| Everything must be played with a metronome at the designated tempo where
specified. |
| VERY IMPORTANT - You may choose to record parts of your audition on different days or at
different times. However, there is to be no break or editing within any
passage/exercise/scale. If you make a mistake or stop within a passage, etc., leave the
video running and pick-up where you left off. Points will be deducted for breaks in the
recording, other than at measured rests. One or two measures of rest should be counted out
on the video. Where there are three or more measures of rest, leave the video running,
pause playing and announce, "I am continuing at measure ___." Resume playing at
that measure. While making your audition video if you record any
passage/exercise/scale more than once you must edit that video to a final video with only
one take of each audition requirement. |
| AUDITION VIDEOS MUST BE AT THE DIRECTOR'S HOME BY 9PM, AUGUST 8, 2008. |
ROSTER PLACEMENT
AUDITIONING FOR A PARTICULAR BAND DOES NOT GUARANTEE
ACCEPTANCE IN THAT BAND. You will be placed in a
band level based on your proficiency and the needs within each section and band. There may also be limits in instrument sections
within each band level. After the directors have reviewed and evaluated all audition
tapes, band assignments will be made and the roster set by the end of August. The
SYMPHONIC band will be set first, followed by CONCERT SENIOR and then CONCERT JUNIOR.
Assignments will remain for the duration of the concert season and will not change, unless
initiated by the director alone. Students will not be allowed to "promote" or
change bands during the year, unless invited by the director. For example, this may be
done for musical/instrumentation needs.
It is important to remember that each student is placed on their
own ability as compared to all of the other students on that instrument. It is sometimes
difficult to realize that you are joining a band program with upperclassmen who have
continued to practice and study their instruments throughout high school. Some very good
players will be placed in Concert Junior Band. This means that the quality of all of our
bands is continuously improving.
WHAT YOU DO AFTER THE AUDITION, MATTERS
The directors reserve the right to change roster positions and/or part assignments as
needed to benefit the band. We have had to make these changes in the past and regret when
we are left with that difficult decision due to infractions in the following areas.
Regular, weekly attendance, attitude, overall behavior and cooperative spirit are
all taken very seriously. One’s attendance record weighs very heavily. It is a
major factor and catalyst influencing a roster position or part assignment change. This is
especially true for those with higher chairs. A student may turn in an outstanding
audition, earning them a top chair. However, they need to realize it is more than just a
title. Much time, thought and prayer go into making the assignments. By conferring the
title, it is expected the student will accept it as a serious personal responsibility and
deeper personal commitment to the band, the director and its members. Indeed, we need all
students to take their commitment to band seriously and are gratified by all those who do
so. The directors add, "We expect good attendance throughout the year. It is crucial
to the entire band and to the success of the concert that all 3 rehearsals
before a concert are not missed by any percussionist or wind musician. Failure to do so
may result in a change in part assignment, roster position, or possible exclusion from a
concert."
Click here for the 2008-2009 CONCERT JUNIOR AUDITION
REQUIREMENTS
Click here for the 2008-2009 CONCERT SENIOR AUDITION
REQUIREMENTS
Click here for the 2008-2009
SYMPHONIC AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Rev. June 06, 2008
- Email
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for General Information
Click here for Musical Director
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