Auditions are to be blind with the student behind a screen. Exception: percussionists will audition within view of the judges.
Auditions for SEKMEA High School Honor Ensembles will be live auditions with the
following exception: The only allowable exception is for students unable to attend
district auditions due to participation in NAfME All-National Ensembles. The
procedure for a recorded audition will be as follows:
Teacher will take a video recording of the student performing the entire audition material in one take.
Submit to the district President no later than 7 days before auditions.
The district President will review the audition to ensure the correct person auditioned and done in one take.
The President will then forward an audio-only copy to the appropriate ensemble chair who will be responsible for playing the appropriate cut of the audition for judges on audition day.
In case of instrumentation shortages, the chairperson will fill spots, according to audition information, as they deem necessary.
Audition Material for Wind Players
A full range chromatic scale slurred up and tongued down. Quarter Note MM=120. Memorization is not required.
One major scale, as listed in the excerpts page. Quarter Note MM= 120. Memorization is not required.
All scales will start on the lowest possible starting note in the practical range.
Each scale is non-transposed (i.e., if a trumpet player is asked to perform a C scale, they will be expected to perform a C scale on their instrument, not a C concert scale.)
The major scale for each instrument will be posted by the band chairpersons on the morning of live auditions.
Sections of the required etudes/solos listed below. Further cuts may be determined by judges the day of auditions and posted clearly outside the audition room.
Sight reading
Audition Material for Percussionists
Snare Drum
Play a rudimental long roll - open, close, open (slow, fast, slow).
Play the first audition excerpt.
Play the second audition excerpt.
Sight-read
Timpani
Play the first audition excerpt.
Play the second audition excerpt.
Sight-read
Mallets
Play two octaves of one of the following concert scales: Concert D Major and A-flat Major.
Play the first audition excerpt.
Play the second audition excerpt.
Sight-read
Chairperson
Cooper Neil
Pittsburg HS
1978 E. 4th St
Pittsburg, KS 66762
w: 620-235-3200
Important Dates - HS Band
Oct. 17, 2022 - Mon
Registration Deadline — HS Band, HS Jazz Band, HS Orchestra
$5 per audition
Oct. 23, 2022 - Sun
Audition Registration - Late Deadline #1 — HS Choir, HS Band, HS Jazz Band, HS Orchestra
$25 per audition
Nov. 4, 2022 - Fri
Audition Registration - Late Deadline #2 — HS Choir, HS Band, HS Jazz Band, HS Orchestra
$50 per audition
Nov. 5, 2022 - Sat
Audition Registration - Late Deadline #3 — HS Choir, HS Band, HS Jazz Band, HS Orchestra